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October 2024
The Canola Meal Research Roundup, published in Progress Dairy and authored by Essi Evans, highlights key findings from studies conducted by the U.S. Dairy Forage Research Center under the direction of Dr. Kenneth Kalscheur. The research focuses on evaluating canola meal as an alternative to soybean meal in dairy cow diets to improve milk production and sustainability.
Kalscheur’s studies showed that canola meal, when compared to soybean meal, provided a higher rumen-undegraded protein (RUP) percentage and a more suitable amino acid profile for high-producing dairy cows. Early trials demonstrated that cows fed canola meal had increased dry matter intake and milk production without sacrificing feed efficiency. Additionally, the research found that cows fed canola meal produced less methane per kilogram of energy-corrected milk, indicating environmental benefits. Long-term studies further supported the sustainability and efficiency of canola meal in improving dairy cattle performance, particularly in maintaining persistency of milk production over time.
This ongoing research provides valuable insights into how canola meal can be optimized as a sustainable protein source for the dairy industry, helping reduce reliance on purchased protein while improving economic and environmental outcomes.
