Raw soybeans, when priced economically will fit into a beef cow's feeding program. Following are guidelines for feeding raw soybeans to cattle:
1. Do not feed whole soybeans at levels above 3.5 pounds per head per day. Soybeans contain about 19 to 20 percent fat (high energy), which will limit the amount fed daily. Feeding greater than 3.5 pounds may depress forage digestibility because of excessive dietary fat intake. Soybeans can also be used as a protein supplement, depending on the supplement protein content. Whole beans will be 35 to 40 percent crude protein.
2. Do not include urea in rations with raw soybeans because soybeans contain urease.
3. If excessive levels of beans are fed, cattle may scour.
4. Mold should not present any problems for cattle; however, if mold is excessive a test for aflatoxin is recommended.
Most diets formulations will limit raw soybeans to 2.5 to 3.5 pounds per head per day. At this rate, protein is not a concern. Because raw soybeans are about 19 percent fat, supplemental fat should not exceed 6 percent of the diet on a dry matter basis especially in forage diets. When feeding the beans, make sure that you spread them out enough so that all cows can get their share. Other sources of energy such as cereal grains and low-fat grain byproducts may be needed to meet energy requirements of the cattle.
