By: Essi Evans, Ph.D., E+E Technical Advisory Services

For dairy nutritionists, dialing in the right amount of protein in the ration is a true balancing act, ensuring the correct levels to optimize production without excess waste. The task becomes easier when the added protein supplies amino acids that match the requirements for milk production. Canola meal fits the bill.  

A wealth of research shows that canola meal is an ideal amino acid source for dairy rations, and can support milk production, energy utilization, sustainability and optimal feed efficiency. Here’s what you need to know about incorporating canola meal into your rations:

Protein supply

A meta-analysis of studies evaluating canola meal’s impact on milk production in dairy cow diets found that, on average, canola meal supported an impressive 1.54 pounds more milk than soybean meal and 3.08 pounds more milk than all other vegetable proteins in diets in which the total protein provided was the same (isonitrogenous).¹

Soybean meal typically supplies 44–51% crude protein (CP), while canola meal has 36–38% CP on an as-fed basis, but the protein level alone belies the value. One factor is the high rumen undegradable protein (RUP) content of canola meal. While canola meal is thought to be high in soluble protein, recent studies have shown the inadequacy of the method used to determine RUP.² On a pound-for-pound basis, canola meal provides as much RUP as does soybean meal (Table 1). In essence, you could replace one pound of soybean meal with one pound of canola meal.

A second factor is the amino acid profile. Canola meal has an amino acid profile that is well suited to meet the needs for milk production, and therefore is easy to incorporate at lower levels of protein in rations that are balanced for amino acids.

Protein efficiency

Because the amino acid profile of canola is so close to that of milk, excess amino acids do not need to be deaminated and converted to urea. This efficient use of RUP is often observed as lower milk urea nitrogen (MUN).

Energy levels

Many nutritionists and producers are hesitant to include higher levels of canola meal in the ration, especially for early-lactation cows, believing the energy value is low. Recent studies show that canola meal supports early lactation in very high-producing cows, while maintaining body condition score. This seems surprising, but it would appear there is an extra caloric effect when canola meal is provided. 

Research published in the Journal of Dairy Science found that methane declined as the amount of canola meal in the diet increased (Table 2).¹ This energy can then be utilized by the cow and captured in greater milk production, rather than lost to the atmosphere. The study also underscored the protein efficiency of canola meal, noting less was lost in the urine with each incremental increase in dietary canola meal.

Don’t be afraid to try something new

There are endless ways to create a balanced dairy cow ration, and no two rations are ever going to be the same. Diving into the research can help give you a better understanding of what’s possible with inclusion rates, and what the potential response in the animal will be. For example, many academic studies have evaluated canola meal inclusion rates at much higher levels than what is typically seen on dairy farms today.

Download the Canola Meal Dairy Feeding Guide, a comprehensive summary of current canola meal research, to help you guide ration decisions.

_References:

¹_{Benchaar C, Hassanat F, Beauchemin KA, et al, et al. Diet supplementation with canola meal improves milk production, reduces enteric methane emissions, and shifts nitrogen excretion from urine to feces in dairy cows. J Dairy Sci 2021;104(9);9645–9663.}

²_{Galindo CE, Ouellet DR, Maxin G, et al.  Effects of protein and forage source on performance, and splanchnic and mammary net fluxes of nutrients in lactating dairy cows.  J Dairy Sci 2024. doi: 10.3168/jds.2024-24922}