MSU Research Drives Dairy Gains with Soybeans

By Andi Anderson

Michigan dairy farmers are experiencing new opportunities thanks to high oleic soybeans and the research partnership led by Michigan State University (MSU) and the Michigan Alliance for Animal Agriculture (M-AAA).

This collaboration connects Michigan’s animal agriculture industries with MSU researchers to deliver solutions that match producer needs.

Dr. Adam Lock, professor in MSU’s Department of Animal Sciences, has focused on how dietary fatty acids improve cow performance and farm sustainability.

Since 2021, his team, supported by M-AAA, the Michigan Milk Producers Association, and the United Soybean Board, has studied the effects of feeding dairy cows soybeans with high levels of oleic acid. Results show these soybeans increase milk fat and protein while reducing feed costs, offering both nutritional and financial benefits.

Demand has grown so rapidly that Michigan seed suppliers ran out of high oleic soybean seed last year. Additional studies also show that roasting the soybeans before feeding can boost milk production even further, giving farmers a cost-effective way to improve herd performance.

Producers across Michigan are seeing these benefits firsthand. Preston Dairy in Quincy planted high oleic soybeans in 2024 after learning of the research. By roasting and feeding their crop, they cut feed bills, raised butterfat from 4.4 to 4.8 percent, and gained over $1 per cow per day—a major financial improvement for a large dairy operation.

Nutrition specialists such as Dr. Alycia Bales of Caledonia Farmers Elevator and Charlie Kunisch of Vita Plus help farmers incorporate the soybeans into rations. Many farms now grow their own beans or contract with neighbors, creating new opportunities for both dairy and crop producers and reducing reliance on expensive imported fats.

MSU researchers stress that continued support for applied research is essential to keep Michigan farms competitive. High oleic soybeans demonstrate how science, farmer partnerships, and local innovation can deliver “once-in-a-generation” gains for dairy producers while supporting Michigan’s wider agricultural economy.

Photo Credit: michigan-state-university-msu