Beyond providing high-quality, local soybean protein for your animals, ISA works to protect your right to grow and be profitable at home in Illinois.

Animal agriculture is the No. 1 customer for soybean growers in Illinois.  That’s because soybeans have been proven to deliver better performance and health time and again – making them the leading source of protein for animal feed and in the aquaculture industry. Whether you raise hogs, poultry, cattle or other animals, you can rely on Illinois soybeans and soybean meal for feeding. 

Checkoff-Funded Research Continues to Improve Soymeal Quality 

Illinois soybean checkoff-funded research continues to provide advances in protein quality and digestibility, while working to minimize some of the anti-nutritional effects.  In fact, recent preliminary research indicates soybean meal may help hogs fight disease better. We also are investing in the initial stages of measuring the amino acid content of multiple varieties – soybeans include all 10 essential amino acids – which will be reported in the Varietal Information Program for Soybeans (VIPS). 

	Research Examines Potential Animal Health Benefits of Soybean Meal Recent University of Illinois research funded by the Illinois soybean checkoff shows that soybean meal may help hogs fight disease. The findings indicate that soybean meal may offer advantages compared to synthetic amino acids.
	VIPS Amino Acid Data In commercial trade, nutritional value results in premiums paid for particular seed components. Over 1200 varieties of soybean from the 2011 VIPS were evaluated for amino acid content by Dr. Seth Naeve at the University of Minnesota.

Lower Transportation Costs Translate into Lower Overhead for All

When you purchase soy-based feed, the entire value chain saves money! With five different processing facilities located throughout the state, transportation costs from the farm to the elevator to the processor and ultimately to your farm are significantly decreased. It all has to do with the proximity of all of the components to each other. You're not paying shipping costs, import taxes or any other fees… you're simply helping support your colleagues and neighbors.

Five Illinois Processing Facilities Illinois has five processing centers conveniently located that help cut down on transportation costs for growers and producers. This includes ADM in Decatur and Quincy, Bunge Oilseed Processing in Cairo, Cargill, Inc. in Bloomington, and Incobrasa Industries, Ltd. in Gilman.

Wider Support Helps Illinois Economy as a Whole

In recent years, growth within the Illinois livestock sector has been dramatically outpaced by the national average. With an increasing worldwide demand for meat and dairy products, the potential for animal agriculture opportunities in Illinois is great. But, it takes strong local support to build and expand animal agriculture operations. ISA understands this and the key role animal agriculture plays in the economic health of our communities. That’s why we help advocate for livestock producers and champion their efforts whenever possible.  

	Crop & Livestock Farmer Partnership Brochure How can you be a good neighbor to local livestock and poultry producers? Learn more about the importance and benefits of the crop and livestock farmer relationship.
	The Impact of Animal Ag in Illinois This tool provides state-specific statistics on the impact animal ag has locally, including output, earnings, employment, income tax and property assessment.
	Animal Ag Economic Impact by County See how animal agriculture impacts local economies by county in Illinois.
	Beyond the Elevator: The Impact of Animal Agriculture in Illinois Livestock producers are soybean growers’ No. 1 customer. Unfortunately, Illinois livestock producers are facing increasing regulations, foreign competition, and a growing not-in-my-backyard mentality here at home. This look beyond the elevator shows how important animal agriculture is to Illinois soybean growers – and to the state’s economy.

In order to grow the animal agriculture industry in Illinois, it also takes a worldwide emphasis on building exports – including the work of the U.S. Meat Export Federation and USA Poultry & Egg Export Council. In the past couple of years, as the U.S. pork industry encountered tough times, the soybean checkoff provided additional financial support designed to boost international sales of U.S. pork through a program known as the Pork Stimulus Plan.