Transcript Canola and how if effects dairy cows

Canola as a feed for
dairy cows
Canola defined
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The official definition
of canola is a rape
plant of an imporved
variety having seeds
that are low in erucic
acid and are the
source of canola oil
Word origin of canola
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The word origin of
canola is:
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CAN
O
LA
Canada
Oil
Low Acid
Facts about Canola
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Canola is Canada’s major oilseed crop
Canola averages 0.6% erucic acid
Considered a very healthy oil that may
improve health by lowering blood
cholesterol levels and regulating blood flow
Good source of vitamin E
Canola as a feed additive
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Feeding dairy cows is the highest cost on a
farm, the use of high quality forages and
corn silage control these costs. If a poor
growing season occurs levels of protein
and energy will decrease in our harvested
feeds, lowering feed intakes and milk
production. In this case farmers must
purchase feed additives to raise protein
and energy levels.
Canola as a feed additive
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Canola is grown for its oil, the meal, a
byproduct remaining after the oil is pressed
from the seed, is used as a protein
supplement.
The nutritional value of canola meal
compares favorably to soybean meal, being
just slightly lower in protein and energy but
higher in fiber.
Canola as a feed additive
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Research has demonstrated its value as a
very satisfactory protein and mineral source
for all classes of dairy animals.
Canola meal protein is degraded relatively
fast in the rumen.
Canola meal is much safer to feed than
rapeseed meal.
Canola meal-vs-Soybean meal
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Canola meal:
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40% crude protein
3.0% fat
.79 NEl
36% NDF
Soybean meal:
- 49.9% crude protein
- 1.5% fat
- .89 NEl
- 15% NDF
The added fiber will promote a healthy rumen and
the levels of crude protein are adequate for a
healthy dairy cow supplement.
Canola Meal
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Canola meal has an excellent amino acid
profile and is rich in vitamins and essential
minerals
Canola meal is one of the most widely used
protein sources in animal feeds.
Research study done in Alaska
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The study done was called Use of Canola
in dairy cattle diets from the Agriculture and
Forestry Experimentation Station by:
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Kirsten Randall
Stephen M. Dofing
Donald J. Brainard
Research Study
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The study was done over 3 years, 20 cows
were housed in 5 groups of 4 cows each.
Cows began the trial in their 3rd week post
partum and continued through their 15th
week.
Diets contained 0,2,4,6 pounds of
canola/cow/day, which equals to 0,4,8, and
12% total canola in the diet.
Results of the tests showed
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Results of the tests showed more milk production
in the diets that contained canola as a feed
additive over the non canola test group.
The group fed no canola averaged 91.6lbs of
milk-vs-103.2lbs. for the group fed 2 lbs. of
canola.
Researchers recommended feeding canola at a
rate of 3-4lbs/cow/day or 6-8% of the total diet on
a dry matter basis.
Price of Canloa-vs-Soybean meal
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Canola Meal:
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$159.00/ton
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On a 100 cow farm at the recommended rate of 2-3
pounds/cow this would be $0.24/cow/day.
Soybean Meal
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$190.00/ton
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100 cow farm at 2-3 pounds would be $0.28/cow/day
Conclusion
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Overall the benefits of
using canola will help our
dairy cows by increasing
protein, fat, and fiber
levels.
Contrary to what is said
canola is safe for cows
and has low levels of
erucic acid.
The biggest advantage is
that it is palatable and
highly digestible.