Canola meal is locally produced, reliable protein source for dairy farmers in Australia. It is valued for its stable supply chain and reduced freight costs compared to imported soybean meal. The amino acid profile in canola meal most closely matches the profile of milk protein.
Compared to soybean meal, canola meal contains more methionine and histidine, and dairy cows utilize canola meal protein very efficiently, consistently resulting in lower milk urea nitrogen values in cows fed canola meal. Despite lower crude protein level, canola meal delivers more available rumen-undegradable protein (RUP)-also known as bypass protein. The higher canola meal levels supported greater milk yields with lower daily methane emissions (Table 1). This methane reduction occurs because canola meal contributes to increased dietary fat (approximately 3.5% methane reduction per 1% increase in fat).
| Diet canola meal (%) | 0 | 8 | 14 | 24 |
| fat corrected milk kg/d) | 42.00 | 43.09 | 43.5 | 44.72 |
| Methane (g/d) | 489 | 475 | 463 | 461 |
Table 1. The effect of canola meal inclusion on milk yield and methane emission
Exogenous fibrolytic enzymes such as cellulose and xylanases are feed additives that increase the hydrolytic capacity of rumen, primarily by enhancing bacterial attachment, stimulating rumen microbial populations, and working synergistically with ruminal hydrolases. Exogenous fibrolytic enzymes break down components in feed that would otherwise pass through the rumen poorly digested. By improving fibre degradation, exogenous fibrolytic enzymes increase the availability of energy and nutrients from fibrous feeds-of particular value when canola meal is included in high-forage or pastured-based rations. When canola meal is included as protein sources in high-forage or pasture-based dairy systems, adding exogenous fibrolytic enzymes can help unlock the energy value of both the canola meal itself and surrounding forage.
In general, canola meal is included at 25% of the grain mix on a dr matter basis will likely yield an extra 2.6 kg milk per cow per day. Adding a specific fibrolttic enzyme could provide an additional 1.1 to 1.9 kg milk per cow per day.
A study compiled by our Redox Animal Nutritionists.