MOIST HEATING OF SOYBEANS FOR PIGS FED DIETS BASED ON CORN
Two growth trials involving a total of 36 individually fed Yorkshire gilts were conducted to compare the value of supplemental protein from soybean meal, raw soybeans, and cooked soybeans for growing pigs. Three metabolism trials were also conducted. Cooked soybeans were prepared by cooking in water for approximately 6 hr. The protein supplements were fed at a level calculated to supply the same amount of supplemental protein daily. Performance of pigs fed soybean meal or cooked soybeans was similar and superior to that of pigs fed raw soybeans as indicated by rate of gain, feed intake, and gain to feed ratio. The higher gross energy of cooked soybeans or raw soybeans did not result in increased digestible or metabolizable energy content of the diet. Protein digestibility and retention was lower for diets containing raw soybeans.