Solvent-extracted dehulled soybean meal is produced by cracking, heating and flaking soybeans. The oil content of the conditioned product is reduced by the use of hexane or homologous hydrocarbon solvents to 1% or less on a commercial basis. The extracted flakes are cooked and ground into meal. To ensure its optimal nutritional value, meal for animal feed needs to be heated sufficiently high to inactivate certain antinutritional factors, such as trypsin inhibitors. The process is known as toasting.

Soybean meal is considered a premium product because of its high digestibility, high energy content and consistency. Over 80% of the soybean meal produced in the U.S. is dehulled and processed in very large state-of-the-art solvent extraction facilities. High quality standards and an efficient production, handling and shipping industry in the U.S. ensure that export customers receive a consistent and high value product.

Properly processed dehulled soybean meal is an excellent source of protein and is used extensively in feed for swine, beef and dairy cattle, poultry, and aquaculture. Soybean meal must be properly heated during processing to provide optimum protein nutrition. Feed rations are formulated to fit the nutritional needs of the animal at its particular stage of the life cycle. Soybean meal is ideal for high-energy rations such as broiler, turkey, and pig starter feeds. For young animals and birds, dehulled soybean meal is the preferred product.

Trading rules for the purchase and sale of soybean meal are established by the National Oilseed Processors Association (NOPA). NOPA publishes an official yearbook and trading rules for the purchase and sale of soybean meal and other soy products. Also included are information on contracts, quality, sampling laboratory analysis, weights and measures, and shipping.

Soybean Meal Specifications (printable brochure in Acrobat Reader .pdf)

U.S Dehulled Soybean Meal - Feeding Studies (printable brochure in Acrobat Reader .pdf)