20%). Because of the high level of unsaturated fatty
acids (930% of total fatty acids), feeding a high level
of soybean oil can have a negative impact on ruminal
digestion (Hutjens and Schultz, 1971). When cows
were fed whole soybeans, ruminal digestion was less
negatively impacted than by free soybean oil, possibly
because of a slower release of oil encased in the seed
(Mohamed et al., 1988).
When soybeans are roasted, the contribution of
protein to the animal may be enhanced due to an
increase in undegradable intake protein (Faldet and
Satter, 1991). It has been suggested that roasting
may make fatty acids less available for digestion and