Key Takeaways:
- Confluence Genetics’ UHP-LO soybean meal fully replaced conventional soybean meal in a 20-week turkey feeding trial.
- Study involved 3,072 male turkeys and showed higher final body weights, improved feed conversion, and increased white meat yield.
- The soybean meal features 14% higher protein and a >90% reduction in anti-nutritional oligosaccharides.
- Results build on earlier broiler trials, confirming benefits across multiple poultry species.
- Findings support cost savings, formulation flexibility, and expansion of the ProVIA™ soybean portfolio.
Turkey Trial Validates UHP-LO Soybean Meal
Confluence Genetics, LLC announced positive results from a 20-week turkey feeding trial in Iowa, conducted in collaboration with a major poultry integrator. The trial validated the use of soybean meal from Confluence Genetics’ ProVIA Ultra-High Protein, Low Oligosaccharide (UHP-LO) soybeans as a complete replacement for conventional soybean meal.
The study, involving 3,072 male turkeys, showed measurable performance improvements. Birds fed UHP-LO soybean meal diets recorded:
- 2.5% higher final body weights
- 3.9% better feed conversion ratio
- 5.9% higher white meat yield
Matt Begemann, Senior Director of R&D at Confluence Genetics, said the results highlight the product’s broader impact. “The consistent performance improvements we’re seeing – from broilers to turkeys – demonstrate the transformative potential of our proprietary soybean genetics. With 14% higher protein content and enhanced energy density, our UHP-LO soybean meal enables poultry producers to optimize their feed formulations, improve bird performance, and reduce costs.”
Confluence’s Nutritional Efficiency and Trial Design
The turkey study was designed with a seven-phase feeding program using isocaloric and isonitrogenous diets, ensuring differences in performance were linked directly to the nutritional benefits of Confluence Genetic’s soybean meal. Its higher protein content, improved metabolizable energy, and reduced anti-nutritional factors allow for more efficient nutrient utilization throughout production.
Independent nutritionist and strategic advisor Dr. Roy Brister said the results show meaningful benefits for producers. “These trial results indicate that UHP-LO soybean meal provides turkey producers with a meaningful opportunity to optimize their operations. The combination of improved performance metrics and cost reduction potential represents a compelling value proposition for the industry.”
Broader Applications Across Poultry
The findings build on earlier broiler trials where UHP-LO soybean meal improved broiler weights by up to 5.4% and feed conversion by 3.2%. The consistency across species supports the broader commercial potential of the product.
In addition to improved performance, UHP-LO soybean meal offers greater formulation flexibility, allowing nutritionists to lower inclusion rates of soybean meal and supplemental fats while meeting nutritional targets, creating potential cost savings at scale.
Expansion of Confluence Genetics’ ProVIA Soybean Portfolio
The meal is produced from Confluence Genetics’ proprietary ProVIA soybean varieties developed through advanced breeding and AI-driven genetic selection. Building on these results, the company plans to expand the ProVIA portfolio to more than 30 varieties within the next two years, with herbicide-tolerant varieties targeted for launch in 2027 and 2028.
Confluence Genetics said it will continue partnering with poultry integrators and other value chain participants to ensure supply, adoption, and further exploration of applications across poultry, swine, dairy, and other livestock sectors.
