Optimizing decentralized soybean processing and its use in animal feed to promote regionality, sustainability, and resource conservation

Due to its nutritional properties, the soybean is an indispensable source of protein in poultry, swine, and cattle feed. In addition to centralized processing facilities, decentralized processing methods on farms are becoming increasingly important, particularly in organic farming. The goal of this project is to optimize the decentralized processing of soybeans into feed and to promote their use in order to produce high-quality, GMO-free products such as soybean meal and soybean oil in a sustainable and efficient manner. Through scientifically sound process optimization at selected farms, product quality is improved to promote animal welfare and performance. In addition, the resource-efficient cultivation and use of regional soybeans will be strengthened, which increases domestic supply security and contributes to reducing soybean imports. Accompanying feeding trials with pigs and poultry will evaluate the potential of soybean meal and soybean oil as alternative components in feed mixtures. An innovative aspect of the project is the introduction of a novel in-line sensor system for process monitoring, which enables real-time measurement of quality parameters. This allows for data-driven process control that compensates for fluctuations in raw material quality and makes production more efficient. The project’s results provide practical insights for farmers, feed producers, and consultants. They contribute to low-emission agriculture and strengthen economic value creation in a regional context. The project promotes knowledge transfer between science and practice and addresses both conventional and organic farming systems.