# DDGS vs soybean meal spread Distillers dried grains (DDGS) versus Soybean meal: the raw $/ton spread, on a dry-matter basis, and on cost per pound of protein and energy _Data through Aug 17, 2026 · source last checked Aug 27, 2026 · page revised Aug 27, 2026_ > Distillers dried grains (DDGS) is $169/ton under Soybean meal on a raw as-fed basis, but on the nutrient that matters here Distillers dried grains (DDGS) is the cheaper source of a pound of crude protein this week. A price screen, not a feeding recommendation. Distillers dried grains (DDGS) is the cheaper source of crude protein this week, at $0.318 per pound against soybean meal's $0.355. The advantage widens sharply on energy, where DDGS costs $0.107 per pound of TDN versus $0.231 for soybean meal. ## The numbers | Measure | Distillers dried grains (DDGS) | Soybean meal | Difference (Distillers dried grains (DDGS) − Soybean meal) | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Price, $/ton as-fed | $169 | $338 | -$169 | | Price, $/ton dry matter | $188 | $379 | -$192 | | Cost per lb crude protein | $0.318 | $0.355 | -$0.036 | | Cost per lb TDN (energy) | $0.107 | $0.231 | -$0.125 | ## About DDGS vs soybean meal spread A raw $/ton spread is the starting point, not the answer. Two feeds at the same $/ton can deliver very different amounts of protein and energy per ton of dry matter, so the table above also shows each feed on a dry-matter basis and as a cost per pound of crude protein and per pound of TDN, the same math the nutrient-cost screening board runs. Basis: both are quoted fob plant, so the raw $/ton gap is a like-for-like comparison before freight. **Nutritional limits.** As a protein source DDGS is not a straight swap for soybean meal. Its crude protein is lower, less lysine-rich, and heat during drying can bind some of it, so DDGS replaces only part of soybean meal's protein even when it looks cheaper per pound. [University of Minnesota Extension](https://extension.umn.edu/beef-feedlot/feeding-distillers-grains-beef-cattle) covers its use and limits in cattle diets. This is a price screen on one or two nutrients, not a feeding recommendation: inclusion rates, amino-acid balance, effective fiber and palatability are the nutritionist's call, not a price table's. ## About this data - Source: Derived from USDA AMS feedstuffs board prices - Series: DDGS vs soybean meal - Basis: Two feeds differenced, as-fed $/ton - Geography: National - Unit: $/ton - Calculation period: Weekly - Last observation: Aug 17, 2026 - Update frequency: Weekly --- Cite: DDGS vs soybean meal is n/a on a $/ton as-fed basis as of Aug 17, 2026 (USDA feedstuffs board). The Ration. https://the-ration.com/spread/ddgs-vs-soybean-meal Canonical URL: https://the-ration.com/spread/ddgs-vs-soybean-meal