New soybean meal testing service helps poultry and swine producers
Feed quality plays an important role in livestock production, especially for poultry and swine operations. To help producers make better feeding decisions, NOVUS® has introduced the NOVUS® Ingredient Assessment Service (NIAS), a new solution that evaluates the quality of soybean meals before it is included in animal diets.
Soybean meal is one of the most widely used ingredients in animal feed because it provides an important source of protein. However, the quality of soybean meal can vary due to several factors, including processing methods, growing conditions, and sourcing regions. Variations in ingredient quality can make it difficult for producers and nutrition experts to maintain consistent feed performance.
The new NIAS program has been developed to address this challenge by providing reliable information about soybean meal quality. The service uses Near-Infrared Reflectance Spectroscopy (NIR), an advanced testing technology that helps estimate trypsin inhibitor levels in soybean meal samples.
"Ingredient variability is a reality for nutritionists and feed manufacturers. Knowing more about the soybean meal they are working with can support more informed decisions," said Silvia Peris, NOVUS® executive regional technical services manager for EMEA.
Trypsin inhibitors are naturally occurring compounds that can reduce protein digestion and limit the availability of important amino acids. When these anti-nutritional factors are present at higher levels, animals may not fully utilize the nutrients available in their feed. Measuring these levels can help producers better understand feed ingredients and make more informed decisions.
Through the assessment service, nutritionists, feed manufacturers, and livestock producers receive timely and standardized insights about soybean meal quality. This information allows them to evaluate ingredient variability before feeding is formulated and delivered to animals.
In addition to providing test results, the service includes support from technical specialists who help customers interpret the findings. Experts explain how trypsin inhibitor levels may affect amino acid digestibility and offer practical recommendations that can be used to manage potential challenges.
"For over 10 years, NOVUS® has compiled data on trypsin inhibitor levels in more than 3,000 soybean samples from customers globally," said Julien Kanarek, NOVUS® senior manager for global feed enzymes. "That work has enabled the development of robust NIR models based on wet chemistry for detecting trypsin inhibitors in grains, seeds, meals and beans. NIAS delivers that expertise to customers, paired with technical support, to help them apply the results to their day-to-day operations."
A key feature of the program is access to a large global database containing information from more than 3,000 soybean samples collected over a period of more than ten years. This database gives producers valuable context by allowing them to compare their results with a broader range of samples from different regions and suppliers.
The service is designed with flexibility in mind. Depending on local market needs, it can operate through partnerships with external laboratories or through customer-owned laboratory facilities. This approach allows users to access the program in a way that best fits their operations and resources.
According to NOVUS®, the data and technical expertise behind the service are the results of more than a decade of research and analysis. The company has used years of sample collection and testing to develop accurate NIR-based prediction models for identifying trypsin inhibitor levels in grains, seeds, meals, and beans.
The assessment service is aimed at helping poultry and swine producers improve feed management practices. Better understanding of ingredient quality can support decisions related to feed sourcing, feed formulation, production processes, and the use of feed additives. These improvements can contribute to stronger animal performance and more efficient production systems.
Another important benefit is increased confidence in supplier consistency. By monitoring ingredient quality over time, producers can identify trends and adjust when necessary. This can help reduce uncertainty and improve the overall reliability of feed programs.
The service is currently available to selected customers in Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. Expansion into additional regions is expected in the future, allowing more producers and feed companies to benefit from technology and technical support.
"Providing a number alone is not the objective," said David Torres, NOVUS® senior regional technical services manager for Asia. "The value comes from helping customers understand what that number means for their operation. By combining analytical information with technical expertise and our global experience with soybean meals, we’re supporting customers in their decision-making."
As livestock production continues to focus on efficiency and sustainability, tools that provide accurate ingredient information are becoming increasingly valuable. Reliable testing and expert guidance can help producers optimize nutrition programs while maintaining high standards of animal health and performance.
The launch of NIAS highlights the growing role of data-driven technologies in agriculture. By combining advanced testing methods, extensive research, and technical expertise, the service offers poultry and swine producers a practical way to better understand feed ingredient quality and make informed decisions for their operations.
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