Real Science Exchange-Dairy

How will soybean production and biodiesel impact protein nutrition of dairy cattle? Dr. Paul Kononoff, University of Nebraska-Lincoln; Dr. Adam Lock, Michigan State University


Listen Later

This episode was recorded at the 2025 Western Dairy Management Conference in Reno, Nevada.

Dr. Kononoff begins with some renewable fuels history. Since the renewable fuels standard in 2007, corn production for ethanol has increased to around 50% of the crop going to ethanol production. With the subsequent increase in fuel has come an increase in distillers grains and the industry has learned how to use them to feed cattle better. Later, the government created additional policy for next-stage renewable fuels, which has spurred biodiesel production. Currently, just under 50% of the soybean crop goes to fuel production. Soybean meal availability has increased and costs have decreased over the past few years. Most of the soybean oil is solvent-extracted.   (5:57)

Dr. Lock talks about increased acres of high-oleic soybeans in dairy-soybean crossover states. He summarizes some of the work his group has done on feeding high-oleic roasted whole soybeans as a replacement for soybean meal in the diet, citing the benefits of the oil in the diet as well as increased bypass protein. (15:41)

The panel discusses whether canola meal, which is fairly high in oleic acid, would show similar benefits to feeding whole roasted soybeans. They also talk about how tariffs may or may not impact canola meal and canola oil prices. (24:26)

Over time, the dairy industry has moved away from alfalfa as a protein source and toward soybean meal. The panel discusses the pros and cons of this change. (26:46)

Dr. Kononoff gives his perspective on just how much soybean meal can be fed in dairy cow diets. Nitrogen excretion is an important consideration. He reminds the audience that renewable fuels policy is the reason behind many of the feed ingredient changes we’ve observed in the past 15-20 years, and that policy can change very rapidly. He emphasizes the industry needs to remain nimble and prepared to adapt. The panel also touches on pricing of feed ingredients in different parts of the country and how distillers grains are currently used in dairy diets. (31:08)

Panelists share their take-home thoughts. (40:49)

Please subscribe and share with your industry friends to invite more people to join us at the Real Science Exchange virtual pub table.  

If you want one of our Real Science Exchange t-shirts, screenshot your rating, review, or subscription, and email a picture to [email protected]. Include your size and mailing address, and we’ll mail you a shirt.

...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

Real Science Exchange-DairyBy Balchem Animal Nutrition & Health

  • 5
  • 5
  • 5
  • 5
  • 5

5

64 ratings


More shows like Real Science Exchange-Dairy

View all
The EntreLeadership Podcast by Ramsey Network

The EntreLeadership Podcast

4,352 Listeners

Working Cows - Regenerative Ranching to Maximize Profitability and Soil Health by Clay Conry

Working Cows - Regenerative Ranching to Maximize Profitability and Soil Health

421 Listeners

DairyVoice Podcast by DairyBusiness

DairyVoice Podcast

18 Listeners

Progressive Dairy Podcast by Progressive Dairy editors

Progressive Dairy Podcast

18 Listeners

The Moos Room™ by University of Minnesota Extension

The Moos Room™

18 Listeners

Dairy News & Views from ISU by Iowa State University Extension & Outreach Dairy Team

Dairy News & Views from ISU

2 Listeners

THE DFD (Dairy Farmer’s Digest) Podcast by Keith Schweitzer

THE DFD (Dairy Farmer’s Digest) Podcast

1 Listeners

Working Ranch Radio Show by Justin Mills

Working Ranch Radio Show

70 Listeners

Discover Ag by Tara Vander Dussen & Natalie Kovarik

Discover Ag

332 Listeners

The Dairy Podcast Show by Wisenetix

The Dairy Podcast Show

9 Listeners

Uplevel Dairy Podcast by Peggy Coffeen

Uplevel Dairy Podcast

35 Listeners

Dairy Digressions by ADSA

Dairy Digressions

6 Listeners

GPS DairyCAST by GPS Dairy Consulting, LLC

GPS DairyCAST

3 Listeners

The Dairy Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast by Wisenetix

The Dairy Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast

2 Listeners

The Dairyland Initiative Podcast by The Dairyland Initiative

The Dairyland Initiative Podcast

6 Listeners