Research Highlights:

• Improved milk production: Dairy cows fed roasted soybeans produced 1.8 lbs more milk per day compared to cows fed soybean meal.

• Enhanced milk composition: Roasted soybeans increased milk fat percentage by 0.19% and milk protein percentage by 0.08%, compared to soybean meal.

• Higher energy intake: Cows fed roasted soybeans had higher energy intake due to the increased fat content of roasted soybeans (18-20%) compared to soybean meal (1-3%).

• Optimal roasting temperature: The study suggests that roasting soybeans at 300°F for 30 minutes provides the best balance between nutrient availability and minimizing heat damage to the protein.
  

Summary:

Feeding roasted soybeans to dairy cows offers benefits such as improved milk production, enhanced milk composition, and higher energy intake. Based on the findings from the Journal of Dairy Science, roasted soybeans present a valuable alternative to soybean meal in dairy cow rations for better milk yield and quality.

REFERENCE:

Department of Dairy Science, Univsersity of Wisconsin, Madison 53706

Journal of Dairy Science Vol.74, No. 8, 1991

The Response of Lactating Dairy Cows to Increasing Levels of Whole Roasted Soybeans

by D.M. Knapp, Ric R. Grummer and M.R. Dentine

https://www.journalofdairyscience.org/article/S0022-0302(94)77074-0/pdf