Using Canola Meal in Current Ration Formulation Programs

October 2015

Previously, when balancing dairy rations, many nutritionists believed that canola meal had a couple drawbacks:

1. The protein in canola meal was considered to be too soluble.
2. The fiber in canola meal was thought to be poorly digested.

However, recent research has disproved both of these assumptions. As a result, certain ration balancing software and formulation programs may not have current information regarding canola meal’s nutrient profile.

With soluble protein commonly used as an indicator of rumen degraded protein (RUP), ingredients with a large proportion of soluble protein were viewed as being better at supporting the rumen than the cow’s post-rumen needs. We now know that much of the soluble protein in canola meal actually bypasses the rumen to meet the cow’s post-rumen needs. This new knowledge means ration balancers can now use less canola meal to meet the cow’s needs, while still seeing favorable results.

New information regarding lignin has changed how we view the fiber in canola as well. The fiber was previously thought to be poorly digested because canola meal contains a large amount of lignin, a component of fiber that was historically included in the estimation of the indigestible portion of fiber. However, research now shows little relationship between lignin and fiber digestibility. This means that the neutral detergent fiber (NDF) digestibility of canola meal is significantly higher than previously thought.

When considering using canola meal in your ration formulation programs, it’s important to evaluate whether the program you use is acknowledging the new research that has updated canola’s nutrient profile. If not, you may be undervaluing canola meal, and not allowing for the best possible results.

Check out this spreadsheet to learn more about how canola meal is valued in ration formulation software.