A protein shortfall in this year's US soyabean crop has forced processors like Bunge Ltd to cut the amount of the nutrient they can guarantee in soyameal, prompting concerns that animal feed costs and meat prices could rise. Adverse crop weather this summer likely dragged down the protein content of soyabeans, prompting concern that the soyameal produced at crushing facilities will be light on protein and other key nutrients, traders and agriculture experts said.
Soya plants can tweak processing steps to maximize protein yields and animal feeders can alter rations to include other feeds and supplements. But consumers may ultimately feel the pinch in higher poultry and pork prices as the steeper production costs are passed along.
"The pig doesn't care if it's a low-protein crop or not," said Charles Hurburgh, professor of agricultural engineering at Iowa State University. "The pig just wants the protein so the nutritionist has to adjust rations. They will probably end up with a little bit more expensive rations." Hurburgh is gathering samples for the United Soyabean Board's annual soya quality survey. Early data suggests the US crop would average about 34 to 34.5 percent protein, down from 35 percent normally, he said. That may translate to lower-protein soyameal.
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