Value Trait Functionality Model – To Prioritize Research to Benefit the Feed Industry
The QUALISOY Board of Directors via its Research Working Group is currently conducting a three-year project to develop a value trait functionality model for the feed industry. The model evaluates factors that will help determine the relevance of proposed soybean trait improvements for feed manufacturers and end users.

QUALISOY began by listening to the animal agriculture industry to understand its needs and better determine the value of the various potential traits and processing improvements. Current proposed trait improvements include improved soybean meal digestibility such as low-phytate and higher metabolizable energy soybeans. Trait-enhanced soybeans will enhance feeding efficiencies and reduce environmental impacts of livestock production.

Improved digestibility soybean component traits are expected to become commercially available between 2010-2012. These introductions will undoubtedly have a positive impact on the livestock nutrition industry. For example, a 2006 study shows a 31 percent decrease in the excretion of phosphorus in manure when pigs were fed the low-phytate soybean and had the enzyme phytate added to their diet.

Soy Allergenicity Model – To Increase Feeding Efficiencies and Better Understand Animal and Human Soy Allergy
QUALISOY, United Soybean Board and the National Pork Board are working to develop a soy allergenicity model for swine. The objectives of the project are to determine hyper- and hyposensitivity of a piglet population to soy-based protein and analyze the potential allergenic response. This response will be tracked and used to develop a model regarding allergens in feed ingredients to alleviate or reduce clinical disease in piglets. This model could extend beyond livestock in its application.

Changes in protein composition could enhance the digestibility of soybean meal as a feed ingredient. Some early-weaned piglets have adverse reactions to soybean meal via decreased performance, reduced food intake and slower growth rates due to hypersensitivity of certain proteins in soybean meal.

As a QUALISOY research focus, the soy allergenicity model will be beneficial to the soybean and feed industries. Greater profitability, lower production costs and greater profit margins for pig production should create long-term demand for soy meal with improved digestibility. Additionally, the swine model will facilitate the study of food allergy, which is increasing in prevalence in the United States and Europe. Results of this study are expected to be released in 2008.

North American Swine Energy System – Increasing Quality While Decreasing Feed Costs
Under the leadership of the QUALISOY Board, United Soybean Board and the National Pork Board, a multi-year effort is under way to develop a North American Swine Energy System to understand the true value of soybean meal and oil in swine rations.

Energy is the most expensive dietary component that is essential in swine diets. While two net energy systems are in place internationally, they have received limited attention by animal nutritionists in North America. The North American feed industry needs a system because consumers and processors desire lean pork products with good flavor and tenderness. These factors are influenced by genetics, but also by nutritional content, which requires improved efficiencies in feed utilization.

The initial objective of the North American Swine Energy System is to target selected traits that relate to the efficiency of processing energy. These traits are then compared in different species and environments, and the results will help quantify the efficiency of these traits in animal diets. The long-term goal of the project is to increase the proportion of energy that is absorbed and put to productive use by swine.

Via the North American Swine Energy System, an increase of feed efficiency by only 0.5% could equate to a savings of $27 million per year in feed costs. Additionally, if half of all swine feeds are unaffected by a new energy system and the cost of the other half is reduced by a conservative $1/ton, there would be a reduction of feed costs by $22.5 million per year.

Animal Agriculture Initiative – Animal Nutrition Working Group
In 2004, the United Soybean Board’s Animal Agriculture Initiative (AAI) created a competitiveness strategy to support the interests of U.S. soybean producers by supporting domestic livestock and poultry production. To help guide the direction of the board, USB established the Animal Nutrition Working Group, a set of 15 animal nutritionists and industry experts who provide insight into the animal feed industry. The strategic plan developed by the AAI working group identified and prioritized issues of focus for the soybean industry and identified the industry’s ability to impact the issues.

The first area of focus involves fostering a favorable business and legal climate in which animal farmers can lead the charge to support animal agriculture. This support includes communications programs and campaigns to educate producers on the importance of animal agriculture. The second area of focus involves capitalizing on supply-chain improvements. The third and final area of focus involves negotiating fair international trade agreements.

QUALISOY collaborates with the AAI to discuss challenges and solutions, as well as a research platform for trait considerations for meal improvements and research.

© 2008 QUALISOY