Optimizing Dairy Diets with High Oleic Soybeans

By Faith Parum and Cydney Stables

Key Takeaways

• High oleic soybeans (HOSBs) have longer lasting cooking oil and whole roasted soybeans can be used in dairy feed.

• Farmers in 16 states (mainly Midwestern) are currently growing HOSBs, with over 1 million acres planted in 2025 and an estimated 5 million-7 million acres forecasted in the next decade.

• Soybean farmers earn a 75 cent–$1.25 per bushel premium on HOSBs above traditional varieties. HOSB production costs per acre are the same as traditional varieties.

• Dairy farmers can reduce feed costs by 27–65 cents per cow per lactating day by incorporating high oleic soybeans into feed regimens because of the increase in milk fat yields.

• The United Soybean Board and Michigan State University are driving research efforts on the potential value proposition and performance metrics for high oleic soybeans (HOSBs).

A specialty soybean originally developed for food use is increasingly finding a market in dairy cattle feed, creating a potentially valuable new demand source for soybean farmers while helping dairy producers lower feed costs, improve milk components and increase income over feed costs in volatile feed markets.

High oleic soybeans were originally developed for food manufacturers looking for a versatile cooking oil with a neutral flavor, high heat stability and longer shelf life. Today, their fastest-growing market is dairy cattle feed. With roughly 1 million HOSB acres planted in 2025 and more than half of production designated for dairy rations, researchers and industry leaders believe high oleic soybeans could become the next major value-added crop opportunity.

HOSBs are a specialty soy variety with higher levels of oleic acid (75% compared to 23% in traditional soybeans) and lower levels of linoleic acid–fatty acid compounds found naturally in soybeans. Linoleic, oleic, palmitic, linolenic and stearic are the omega 3, omega 6, omega 9 and saturated fatty acids that make up a soybean fatty acid profile. Oleic acid contributes to the longevity and stability of soybean oil, extending its shelf life. This unique acid profile has proven useful in a market where there is demand for foods with lower saturated fat levels, increased heat resistance and greater versatility than traditional varieties.

HOSBs are used in a variety of ways, including as a feed ingredient in dairy cattle rations (55%), in human food (43%) and industrial purposes (2%).