Replacement of DDGS with soybean meal (SBM) and soy hulls at various inclusion rates may effect the performance and nutrient output of manure in wean-to-market pigs. The protein and nutrient composition of SBM combined with soy hulls diets may be better utilized by pigs when compared to DDGS-containing diets. The increased demand for Midwest-grown soybeans, driven by new soybean crushing plants, may reduce SBM costs, making it a more affordable feed ingredient. The objective is to evaluate the effects on performance and manure output of inclusion levels of SBM as a replacer for DDGS in wean to finish pigs. A total of 566 pigs (PIC X Terminal Duroc, 7.9 kg, 6 weeks of age) were used in two groups in separate partially slatted floor, environmentally controlled rooms. Individual pig body weights (BW) were measured along with average daily feed intake (ADFI) every two weeks for the first 12 weeks, and every three weeks for the last 6 weeks. The treatment formulations designed to value SBM and soy hulls in place of DDGS. The diets included two levels of DDGS and two SBM with soybean hulls diets, which replaced DDGS at comparable inclusion levels: high (40%) and low (20%). All diets were formulated to meet or exceed NRC levels; SID lysine and net energy (NE) levels were kept consistent across the four diets. NE estimates for SBM and DDGS were 2,502 and 2,343 Kcal/kg, respectively. The four diets were allotted to 40 pens (20 pens/room, 5 pens/diet/room) with 14 pigs per pen in a randomized complete block design (RCBD). Data were combined from each room and analyzed as a RCBD with pens as the experimental unit, dietary treatment as the main effect and blocked by room. Average daily gain (ADG) was unaffected by treatment for all phases of growth (P > 0.10). For wean-to-market: gain to feed (GF) was significantly lower for the DDGS diets compared to the SBM diets (P < 0.05). ADFI was significantly higher in the DDGS diets than in the SBM diets (P < 0.05); however, there was a tendency for a difference between the low DDGS diet and the low SBM diet (P < 0.10). From week 0 to week 6, feed conversion improved in pigs fed high SBM diets relative to high DDGS diets (P < 0.05). From week 15 to week 18, both high and low DDGS diets significantly increased ADFI when compared to SBM diets (P < 0.05). Diets containing SBM and hulls improved feed conversion by 6% when compared to diets with DDGS from week 0 to week 18. In conclusion, the use of SBM and hulls in swine diets improves feed efficiency when compared to diets containing equal levels of DDGS.

Halbur, J., J. Lira da Silva, R. Samuel, T. Thaler and E. Weaver. 2025. An evaluation of soybean meal inclusion rate and replacement of Dried Distillers Grains and Solubles (DDGS) in pigs fed from wean to finish. 2025 American Society of Animal Science Midwest Section meeting, Abstract 96.