A Canadian analysis of 49 such studies indicated canola meal in feed, at up to 20 percent of dietary dry matter, can increase milk production.
“Cows fed CM (canola meal) as a protein source produce, on average, 1.4 kilograms per day more milk compared with cows fed other protein sources, and .7 kg per day more milk compared with cows fed soybean meal,” he said in his analysis.
The Canola Council of Canada set up a research cluster to examine the feed value of canola meal relative to other vegetable proteins, said Mutsvangwa.
Independent scientists conducted six studies over four or five years, and all showed higher milk yield in cows given canola meal in their diets compared to corn dried distillers grain, wheat DDGs and soybean meal.
Mutsvangwa said cows have greater feed intake when canola meal is included and eat an average one to 1.2 kilograms more per day compared to feeds with soymeal or wheat DDGs.
Canola meal is a good source of essential amino acids, he added, and has a higher energy value than previously thought.
About 90 percent of the canola meal produced in Canada is ex-ported to the United States.
The meal is the second most widely used protein feed ingredient, behind soybean meal.
The canola council funded some of Mutsvangwa’s research, but he told seminar participants that his findings are not a sales pitch for canola meal.
Source: Western Producer
