NEWS for North Dakotans
Agriculture Communication, North Dakota State
University
7 Morrill Hall, Fargo, ND 58105-5665
July 2, 1998
Extreme weather patterns are affecting feed markets for dairy producers by reducing production of oilseeds, particularly cottonseed. That's causing producers to take a closer look at canola seed, an excellent protein source grown in Northern states and Canada.
"Cottonseed is probably considered the queen of coproducts for lactation dairy diets," notes J.W. Schroeder, dairy specialist with the North Dakota State University Extension Service. "But canola stacks up pretty well."
Schroeder notes that livestock producers are tremendous users of oilseed crops. In particular, dairy producers are constantly looking for consistent supplies of oilseeds at reasonable prices. "Because North Dakota is becoming a recognized producer of canola, dairy producers are asking more frequently about using canola as a replacement for cottonseed in the diets of dairy cattle."
Canola seed contains a number of important nutrients and compares favorably with other oilseeds such as sunflower, cottonseed and soybeans. "It's especially favorable for the early lactation cow, primarily because of the high fat content42 percent—similar to sunflower seed, a common staple in dairy diets," Schroeder says.
"Unlike cottonseed, canola provides only limited dietary fiber, but in comparison to whole cottonseed, it has twice the oil content, so other considerations are necessary as you adjust diets," he says.
Canola is a member of the mustard family and has small black seeds that look like mustard seeds. Those seeds can pass through cows' digestive tracts undigested. For that reason, seeds need to be processed—ground, extruded, crushed, cracked or popped—for livestock to get the most nutritional benefit from them.
"Research shows that up to 50 percent of the seeds can appear undigested in the feces," Schroeder says. "So it's essential that the hull or seed coat be ruptured in some way before feeding. Pelleting canola with other grain also has been shown to be satisfactory."
Rolling of canola seeds releases oil which can cause flow problems such as roller gumming. Other forms of processing are less troublesome.
Recommendations vary among researchers, but a common suggested maximum feeding rate is 6.5 percent of the total ration dry matter or 3 to 4 pounds daily, Schroeder says. One report indicated a satisfactory range of about 1 to 4 pounds per cow per day without any negative effects on rumen, metabolism or milk composition.
Additional research indicates that feeding high levels of canola20 percent or twice the recommended levelin the grain caused diarrhea. That problem did not occur at the 10 percent of grain level which is satisfactory for early lactation cows.
"Economics will continue to be a key factor in determining which oilseed to feed or if they can compete with other sources of nutrients in least-cost rations," Schroeder says. "Often full-fat canola seeds are a cheap way of getting extra energy to high-producing cows."
Fed at the recommended levels, there are no metabolic concerns, and milk quality and taste are not affected. And new canola varieties have no problems that are related to the glucosinolates or their metabolites like the old types of rapeseed.
For additional information on other coproducts for this region, go to www.ag.ndsu.nodak.edu/aginfo/dairy/ or call (701) 231-7640 and ask for a copy of "Byproducts and Regionally Available Alternative Feedstuffs for Dairy Cattle."
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Source: J.W. Schroeder (701) 231-7663
Editor: Tom Jirik (701) 231-9629
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