Benson Hill Ultra-High Protein Soybean Meal Validated in Tyson Foods Feeding Trial

  • Latest collaboration represents the third major poultry feeding trial using the Company’s Ultra-High Protein, Low-Oligosaccharide (UHP-LO) soybean meal in poultry diets.
  • Proprietary soy quality traits translate into higher nutritional efficiency and lower feed costs for poultry producers and integrators.

St. Louis, MO (January 30, 2025) – Benson Hill, Inc. (Nasdaq: BHIL, the “Company” or “Benson Hill”) announced positive results from a controlled broiler feeding trial conducted with Tyson Foods. Study findings, consistent with those released in May 2024, demonstrate how Benson Hill’s Ultra-High Protein, Low Oligosaccharide (UHP-LO) soybean meal offers a high-performance, cost-effective alternative to conventional soybean meal in poultry nutrition.

The latest Tyson results validate that UHP-LO soybean meal (SBM) can fully replace conventional SBM in broiler diets and increase revenue potential for producers, without compromising animal performance. For instance, when formulated for cost advantages, UHP-LO SBM significantly lowered feed costs by increasing protein and higher metabolizable energy. Consequently, UHP-LO SBM gives poultry producers the opportunity to decrease the amount of SBM and fat added to the diet while keeping the necessary protein and energy levels.

In addition to the economic returns, animal outcomes in Tyson’s 42-day UHP-LO trial were substantially equivalent and showed consistent performance. Broilers fed with UHP-LO SBM exhibited equivalent final body weights, feed conversion ratios, and carcass traits compared to those fed conventional SBM. Benson Hill plans to validate select carcass traits in future trials.

The benefits for poultry begin with Benson Hill’s innovative seed development process, which dramatically lowers anti-nutrient levels (90 percent fewer oligosaccharides) in the soybean itself for a more digestible SBM. The UHP-LO SBM used in the trial also delivers 14 percent higher crude protein levels compared to conventional SBM. Together these soy quality traits and performance metrics can translate into higher nutritional efficiency and better margins for poultry producers and integrators.

“This commercial trial shows how Benson Hill’s UHP-LO soybean meal is helping redefine poultry feed,” said Matt Begemann, Senior Director of R&D at Benson Hill. “The positive results confirm how Benson Hill’s UHP-LO soybean meal can generate higher nutritional and economic returns. Collaborating with a leader like Tyson Foods is consistent with our commitment to advancing soy quality traits that benefit the entire supply chain. For me, it’s exciting to see our science play out in practice.”

The feeding trial for Tyson involved more than 800 broilers in a controlled research environment. All diets were formulated to match standard nutrient requirements, with UHP-LO SBM demonstrating flexibility in inclusion levels. Poultry producers have enhanced flexibility with UHP-LO to formulate feeding rations for cost advantage (up to $0.20 per bird in this study) and bird performance gains (up to 5.4 percent in prior studies). These gains are significant and translate across the value chain. For the full research summary, visit https://bensonhill.com/industries/better-feed/poultry-feed/.

“The Tyson project illustrates the advantages of Benson Hill soybean meal for poultry producers seeking feed solutions with immediate benefits,” said Dr. Roy Brister, Ph.D., an independent animal nutritionist and strategic advisor with four decades of industry experience. “Achieving performance parity with conventional soybean meal presents poultry nutritionists with a meaningful opportunity to optimize their performance feed by simply selecting a premium UHP-LO option.”

Benson Hill’s UHP-LO soybean meal is made exclusively from its proprietary soybean varieties and also exemplifies the Company’s commitment to sustainability. The improved nutrient profile can reduce reliance on supplemental feed ingredients, contributing to lower carbon emissions and supporting Scope 3 reduction targets for end users.

With results from recent trials reinforcing the value of UHP-LO SBM, Benson Hill continues to expand its reach in the animal feed sector. The Company is working with value chain partners to ensure availability and adoption of its UHP-LO SBM while further researching animal feed applications in poultry, dairy, and swine. For more information on Benson Hill’s non-GMO, UHP-LO soybean varieties and 2025 partner programs for growers, visit //bensonhill.com/products/seeds.

Benson Hill Completes Second Major Feeding Trial in Broilers, Again Demonstrating Advantages of UHP-LO Soybean Meal in Poultry Feed

  • Feeding trial results with a major poultry producer indicated significant improvements in live
    performance and important meat characteristics in broiler chickens.
  • Soybean meal derived from Benson Hill Ultra-High Protein, Low Oligosaccharide (UHP-LO)
    soybeans outperformed commodity soybean meal in final broiler weights, feed conversion ratio,
    and other yield metrics.
  • Replacing commodity soybean meal with UHP-LO soybean meal in poultry diets improved
    broiler weights by 5.4 percent and feed conversion ratios by 3.2 percent.

St. Louis, MO (January 28, 2025) – Benson Hill, Inc. (Nasdaq: BHIL, the “Company” or “Benson Hill”), a seed innovation company, partnered with a major poultry integrator to complete a second commercial feeding trial to validate the value of including soybean meal derived from Benson Hill’s Ultra-High Protein, Low Oligosaccharide (UHP-LO) soybeans in poultry diets.

The results confirm that incorporating UHP-LO soybean meal (SBM) in commercial broiler diets substantially improved feed conversion and resulted in heavier broilers, reflecting the higher protein and metabolizable energy present in Benson Hill’s proprietary soybean genetics. These observations reinforce findings from the Company’s first broiler feeding study released in May 2024.

In the six-week trial, broilers fed a diet containing UHP-LO SBM weighed more at processing and grew more muscle versus broilers fed a diet formulated with commodity soybean meal. For this group of broilers, replacing commodity soybean meal in the diet with UHP-LO SBM improved broiler weights by 5.4 percent and feed conversion ratios by 3.2 percent.

Poultry producers have enhanced flexibility with UHP-LO to formulate feeding rations for cost advantage (up to 5 percent in prior studies) and bird performance gains (up to 5.4 percent in this study). These gains are significant and translate across the value chain. 

“This latest feeding trial showcases the transformative impact of switching from commodity soybean meal to a high-protein, nutritious option that is truly Made from Better™,” said Deanie Elsner, Chief Executive Officer of Benson Hill. “These study results not only reaffirm the value of our UHP-LO soybean meal for poultry producers seeking specific outcomes like feed efficiency, but they are also supported by more than two decades of soybean breeding and our technology core. We estimate that choosing specialty soy from Benson Hill can generate approximately $2.2 billion of value annually for the broiler industry.”

Benson Hill will continue to pursue broadacre expansion in feed and expects to broaden its soybean portfolio to more than 35 varieties for the 2025 crop year. Non-GMO UHP-LO soybean varieties, destined for animal feed, demonstrate strong yield performance relative to elite commercial varieties, with herbicide-tolerant varieties expected to be available for the 2026 growing season. For more information on Benson Hill and its proprietary soybean seed portfolio, visit https://bensonhill.com/product....

About Benson Hill

Benson Hill is a seed innovation company that unlocks nature’s genetic diversity in soy quality traits through a combination of its proprietary genetics, its AI-driven CropOS® technology platform, and its Crop Accelerator. Benson Hill collaborates with strategic partners to create value throughout the agribusiness supply chain to meet the demand for better feed, food, and fuel. For more information, visit bensonhill.com or X, formerly known as Twitter at @bensonhillinc.