Canola Meal
Typical Analysis (DM Basis):
Dry Matter: 89%
Crude Protein: 36 - 40%
ME: 11-11.5% (Mj ME/kg Dry Matter)
Neutral Detergent Fibre: 27%
Acid Detergent Fibre: 18%
Ash: 7%
Protein
Canola contains about 38 % Protein in the dry matter, (36% min) of which 30-35 % is rumen undegradable ("bypass") and the other 65-70 is degraded in the rumen. This is quite similar to the protein fraction in Soya meal. Therefore Canola works well in diets low in rumen degradable protein, e.g. in diets with over 40 % of the diet in low protein feeds as maize silage, whole crop silage, stalky grass silage or grain.
Canola meal is relatively high in the amino acids histidine, threonine and the sulphur- containing amino acids methionine and cystein which makes it a good combination with other protein sources like soya.
Carbohydrates and fibre
As the canola hulls stay with the meal while being processed the fibre levels (NDF and ADF) are slightly higher than in soybean meal, which is de-hulled before the extraction process. This results in an ME value slightly lower than the 13-13.5 MJ ME in soybean meal.
Minerals
The level of macro minerals like Calcium, Magnesium and Phosphorus meal are relatively high in Canola meal compared with other oilseed meals. Also it contains comparatively good levels of the trace elements Zinc, Manganese and Selenium
Storage
Like all feedstuffs, canola meal should be stored dry, in bulk bins or placed on cement slabs (covered and protected from the weather accordingly).
Feeding levels
The benefits of canola meal are best captured in a balanced feed ration. Normally feeding rates for dairy cows are 0.5-2 kg per day. In grain mixes inclusion rates range from 10-30 %.
Consult with your nutritionist to find the optimum feeding level for your situation.
Canola meal is slightly less palatable than other oilseed meals and usually will take a few days for dairy cattle to adjust to after introduction.
Feeding method
Canola meal can be fed mixed with silage in the paddock or on the feed pad.
It can also be fed via the grain feeding system in the dairy shed, by itself or mixed with other ingredients. Canola is not suitable for self-feeding like Palm Kernel Meal.
