Can soy be the sustainable protein of choice?
Reckless cultivation has given soy a bad name in some markets. A closer look reveals that responsibly produced soy protein is better than many alternative feed strategies for piglets and the planet.
BY LARS SANGILL ANDERSEN, NUTRITIONIST AT HAMLET PROTEIN T
he sustainability of soy has been a topic of discussion for years. Concerns about the way soy is cultivated, genetic modification and the climate impact of transport across the world have caused
some to voice a preference for locally produced alternatives. These are all important matters to discuss. But, there are oth- er sides to the soy debate – including the reasons why soy is the most cultivated oilseed in the world, with a total global harvest which is bigger than that of all other oilseeds together. According to Statista, world soybean production totalled just over 336 million metric tons in 2019/2020. In terms of production per hectare, soybean yield in the US and Brazil is slightly lower than the rapeseed yield from good soil in Europe – around 3.3 tons compared to 3.5 tons. Sunflower yield per hectare is considerably lower at around 2.2 tons. However, when you look at protein content, the picture is quite different. While sunflower and rapeseed comprise on average 18.5% and 21.5% protein respectively, the protein content of soybeans ranges from 38% to 40%, depending on where it is grown. In terms of protein quality, measured as the content of digestible amino acids, soy also gets the highest score. This makes soybeans by far the most efficient source of plant- based protein for young animal feed with regard to protein yield, quality and digestibility.
Sustainable sourcing For many, the primary concern about soy relates to its cultiva- tion. Stories about rainforest, cleared to make way for soy- bean plantations, are disturbing to say the least. To address this, the Roundtable on Sustainable Soy (RTRS) was founded in 2006 – a non-profit, multi-stakeholder organisation that promotes the production, trade and use of responsible soy. Through the RTRS global certification system, soy-processing companies like Hamlet Protein can purchase soy that is
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produced by environmentally-correct, socially-appropriate and economically-viable means without deforestation or conversion of natural habitats. Today, RTRS certification follows all the genetically modified soy used in Hamlet Protein’s production. For those who seek a non-genetically modified alternative, Hamlet Protein draws on raw materials certified under the ProTerra standard for soy from a fully traceable, non-GMO source. All raw materials are processed in an energy-efficient plant, where surplus heat is recycled and no wastewater is discharged into the public sewerage system.
Environmental gains The animals’ efficient use of soy protein is another sustaina- bility argument in its favour. This is particularly true of the specialty soy proteins produced at Hamlet Protein. Due to their minimal content of anti-nutritional factors (ANFs), young animals such as piglets can easily digest and absorb the nutrients in their starter feed. There are several reasons why this is important. For farmers in the EU, the level of nitrogen in animal manure can make the difference between an environmental approval being granted or not. This is where a specialty soy protein low in ANFs can perform better than a high-quality animal protein source like fishmeal. Compared to the Hamlet Protein product HP 300, which contains less than 6% indigestible non-protein nitrogen (NPN), for example, fishmeal may contain from 15% to 30% NPN, which is passed from feed to manure.
Beyond the zinc ban Another top-of-mind issue for farmers revolves around the use of antibiotics and zinc. Since the use of antibiotics as a growth
PHOTO: HAMLET PROTEIN
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