Reinventing Animal Feed: 4 Planet-Friendly Alternatives to Soy

Soy is one of the world’s most important crops, but it’s also a main driver of deforestation around the world. Discover why so much of it goes to animal feed and what more sustainable solutions could look like.

Have you ever wondered how much soy you really consume? It might surprise you to learn that most of it isn’t on your plate but hidden in the food chain. Nearly 80% of the world’s soybeans are used to feed farm animals, which means they’re fueling the production of beef, chicken, eggs, and dairy products like milk and cheese. Soy also finds its way into unexpected places, with soybean oil in everyday items like margarine, baked goods, chocolate, and even cosmetics.¹

Soy is one of the world’s most important crops, but its rapid expansion is causing serious environmental harm. Brazil, the United States, and Argentina lead global production, which has more than doubled in the past 20 years. This growing demand drives massive deforestation, especially in South America, where unique ecosystems like the Cerrado are being destroyed for soy and cattle farming.¹

The Cerrado is a biodiverse, tropical Savanna spanning Brazil, Bolivia and Paraguay. 5% of the world’s species are found here.

When did we start feeding soy to animals?

Soybeans originated in Eastern Asia, likely in China, where they have been a staple food for people in East and Southeast Asia for thousands of years, mostly eaten in forms like tofu, soy milk, and soy sauce. In these regions, soy was historically used to feed people more than animals. It was only a few hundred years ago that soybeans were introduced to Western agriculture, where they became an important animal feed thanks to their high protein content —36g per 100g.^2.3

What did we feed animals before soy?

Before soy, farm animals mostly ate whatever was available locally, like grains, hay, or crop leftovers. Soybean meal changed the game because it was a protein-rich, cheaper option that helped animals grow faster.

Then, in 1996, there was a big breakthrough: genetically modified (GM) soy that could tolerate glyphosate, a weed killer. This meant farmers could spray their fields to kill weeds without harming the soy plants. This made it easier to grow soy in even larger quantities because farmers didn’t have to remove weeds mechanically. The late 1990s ban on bone meal following the “mad cow disease” outbreak further increased demand for soy as an alternative protein source.^3,4

Why do we grow so much soy today? 

Soy is a popular and cost effective crop because it can be grown in massive quantities and it’s easy to process. It also stores well, which is crucial for transporting it across long distances. As well as animal feed, soy can be turned into soy oil - a versatile vegetable oil for cooking and processed foods. Additionally, soy oil is used as a biofuel, providing a renewable alternative to fossil fuels for powering vehicles and machinery. 

Government policies and international trade agreements significantly encourage  soy production - with many governments paying farmers subsidies to grow it.

In South America, the rapid expansion of soy as a crop has a serious environmental impact - with wild habitats being rapidly replaced with soy plantations to feed livestock around the world. This normally happens as a two step process: first, the rainforest is cleared for cattle ranching. Then, the cattle are replaced with soy crops, and more rainforest is cleared for ranches.  We use most of our soy - around 80% - for animal feed.³

We asked Walter Medina, a scientist at The Instituto de Botánica del Nordeste in Argentina, whether there are any sustainable alternatives to soy as a livestock feed. Here are some of his suggestions.

Option 1: Sunflower Meal - Turning food waste into animal feed

One more sustainable alternative to soy-based feed is sunflower meal, a byproduct of sunflower oil production. Instead of letting this valuable byproduct go to waste, it can be repurposed as animal feed. This approach reduces waste while still providing livestock with essential nutrients. Using sunflower meal helps minimise the environmental footprint of animal agriculture by making better use of existing resources - but it does contain less protein than soy-based feeds.

Option 2: Canola Meal - Choosing crops that benefit the soil

Soy production often depletes soil nutrients, but canola offers a promising alternative. Canola meal contains 35-40% protein and all essential amino acids, providing a high-quality feed option. Beyond its nutritional benefits, canola is also great for the soil. 

As Medina points out, “Canola helps improve soil health through biofumigation, a process that fights diseases naturally and restores vitality to farmland.” While canola meal has its limitations, such as glucosinolates that can harm animals in high doses, its dual benefit for livestock and soil makes it a valuable addition to sustainable farming practices.

Option 3: The Balu Tree - Planting trees as animal feed

Livestock feed is a major driver of deforestation, but planting trees like the Balu tree (Erythrina edulis) could help reverse this trend. Native to the Andes, the Balu tree thrives in diverse soils, adds nitrogen back into the ground, and supports long-term soil fertility. 

“Biodiversity should be seen as our pantry,” says Medina. “The more species we integrate into our farming systems, the more resilient and sustainable they become.” While the Balu tree doesn’t replace the ecological value of native forests, integrating then into our farmland can improve soil health, help fight climate change, and provide more  benefits to biodiversity than monocultures like soy.⁵ 

Option 4: Tweak your diet and eat more plants 

As well as looking for more sustainable livestock feed, we can also significantly reduce the demand for soy by choosing to eat more plants and reducing our meat portions. 

Feeding soy directly to humans, in the form of tofu or tempeh, would require less land and also provide a nutritious, planet-friendly alternative. As Medina highlights, “The more species we include in our diets, the more diverse and resilient our food systems can become.” Moderate dietary changes can significantly reduce the demand for animal feed while also lowering greenhouse gas emissions and improving global food security.⁶

The Balu tree, also known as Chachafruto in Colombia or Sachaporoto in Argentina and Perù, is a plant belonging to the legume family. Its fruit can grow up to 30 centimetres long and it ripen from May to August, before the pulses fall down to the ground.

What's the best way forward?

Soy is a protein-rich, cost-effective crop, but its large-scale production contributes to deforestation and soil depletion, with most of it used as animal feed. By leaning on alternatives like sunflower meal, canola meal, and the Balu tree, we can diversify farming practices and reduce our dependence on soy. As Walter Medina summarises, “Balancing efficiency and sustainability in agriculture is crucial for the future of our food systems.” Combining these alternatives with plant-forward diets offers a pathway to more resilient, environmentally friendly food systems for future generations.