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November 2013
Still wondering if canola meal is right for your farm? Check out our top five reasons to be thankful for canola meal to help you decide!
1. Rumen undegradable protein
Just because a protein source has a high level of crude protein doesn’t mean it has high levels of the protein your cows need to continue producing milk. Canola meal has high levels of rumen undegradable protein (RUP), or bypass protein, something other protein sources, such as soybean meal and dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS) don’t have. More protein from canola meal is able to make it through the rumen and into the small intestine of the cow, where the protein is actually needed for milk production.
2. Amino acid profile
When it comes to being a balanced and efficient source of protein, canola meal takes the lead among all other plant-based protein sources. Canola meal’s unique balance of amino acids helps to optimize milk production in herds. Being a great source of histidine, methionine, cysteine and threonine, canola meal’s contribution to milk protein is illustrated by its superior amino acid balance and the relatively high level of its first limiting amino acid.
3. Consistently higher milk production
In a meta-analysis of more than 30 canola meal studies, it was found that canola meal consistently provides consistently higher milk yields. During each study, cows produced an average of 2.2 pounds more milk per day than when fed other popular protein sources. A subsequent study, conducted at South Dakota State University and the USDA Forage Research Center found the same result when they added canola meal to dairy rations.
4. Availability
There is canola meal aplenty available in the United States, thanks to our Canadian neighbors. Canadian canola producers grow close to 15 million tons of canola for oil each year, resulting in a steady supply of canola meal across North America. Thanks to established rail lines, your cows can consistently enjoy canola meal as a part of their ration.
5. The Dairy Feed Calculator
Sure, we can tell you how great canola meal is, for both you and your cows, but you can determine the value of canola meal for your herd yourself, using the Dairy Feed Calculator. Input your local price for canola meal, compare it to other popular plant-based protein sources, and see when canola meal is a good buy for you.
