Feed efficiency gains found in canola meal-forage diets

January 2014

Increased grain prices in recent years has forced dairymen and women to consider increasing the amount of forage in rations. Because this differs from past traditional diets, a high forage diet’s interaction with canola meal needed to be investigated. South Dakota State University researchers wanted to find the optimum level of forage when canola meal was included in the diet at an 11 percent inclusion rate (dry matter basis).

Diets in the study included 42, 50, 58 and 66 percent forage on a dry matter basis. A 70:30 corn silage-to-alfalfa haylage ratio was maintained in each of the rations. In addition, all diets were similar in crude protein and metabolizable protein.

Dry matter intake decreased with increasing forage concentration while milk production was similar across the different diets. However, milk fat percentage and yield increased as forage inclusion was higher. Milk protein percent decreased as forage levels went up, but total protein yield and energy corrected milk were not affected when more forage was used.

These results meant a greater feed efficiency when forage was fed at increasing amounts when canola was the primary source of protein. This research is good news for dairy producers who are seeking greater feed efficiency or to use more forage in their diets. Canola meal supported milk production and milk protein yield over a wide range in dietary forage level.

To read the abstract presented at the 2013 American Dairy Science Association annual meeting and more of the data, click here.