Animal Agriculture
In 2023, the last year for which final statistical data has been compiled, domestic animal agriculture consumed 665.7 thousand tons of soybean meal in Kentucky — by far the largest source of soybean meal demand. This places the state as #18 in the nation in terms of soybean meal consumption. Additionally, animal agriculture in Kentucky consumed 134.6 tons in soy hulls.
This soybean meal was fed primarily to:
• Broilers (502.3 thousand tons)
• Egg-laying hens (50.6 thousand tons)
• Hogs (33.5 thousand tons)
In 2023, Kentucky’s animal agriculture contributed:
$9.4 billion
in economic output
$1.9 billion
in household earnings
50,915
jobs
$457 million
in income taxes
$169 million
in property taxes
This data underscores what Commissioner Jonathan Shell says every time he speaks: agriculture IS economic development.
Poultry is by far the leader here in Kentucky. The Poultry/egg industry accounts for more than 25,000 jobs and $1,026,025,000 in earnings.
Animal agriculture encompasses mainly beef cattle, hogs, broilers, turkeys, eggs, sheep, dairy, and aquaculture. Future soybean demand is tightly linked to the health of these industries.
Source: 2023 Soybean Meal Demand Assessment prepared for the United Soybean Board by Decision Innovation Solutions ( 2025)
To learn more about animal agriculture in Kentucky, visit the Kentucky Livestock Coalition website.
This information is brought to you by Kentucky’s soybean farmers through their checkoff contributions.
