New research funded by the Soy Checkoff suggests winter feeding decisions could help pork producers minimize the seasonal drop in carcass weights during the summer months.
Researchers found that increasing soybean meal levels in grow-finish diets helped pigs maintain performance during periods of heat stress. In a commercial trial, pigs fed higher soybean meal diets produced carcasses averaging 5.5 pounds heavier than those fed the operation’s previous high-energy ration. It also reduced feed costs per pig.
Iowa soybean farmer and pork producer Tim Bardole explains that the pigs to be sold next summer are in the barn this winter when the diets are set. He says if a farmer waits until the heat shows up to think about carcass weights, the formulation decisions that matter have already been made.
A 2026 Soy Checkoff survey found 60% of swine nutritionists representing about 3.6 million sows have increased soybean meal in late-finishing diets to help offset the summer dip. The organization also launched Feed4Profit, an online ration-analysis tool, for pork producers and nutritionists to explore research and feeding resources.
