In today’s broiler industry, performance expectations have never been higher. Advances in genetics, housing and health management continue to push the boundaries of what birds can achieve, placing nutrition firmly at the center of flock success. 

Among those ingredients, soybean meal plays a foundational role in modern poultry diets. The connection between soybean meal origin and bird performance was the focus of a recent discussion with Dr. Tom D’Alfonso, Worldwide Director of Animal Nutrition at the U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC). 

The global soybean market offers poultry producers multiple sourcing options, with major volumes originating from the United States, Brazil and Argentina. While those products may appear interchangeable on paper, D’Alfonso said their nutritional performance can differ in meaningful ways.

For broiler producers navigating tighter margins and higher expectations, that message underscores a simple reality: ingredient origin is not a minor detail, but a strategic decision with direct implications for performance, profitability and long-term sustainability.

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