Canola Meal Research

Research into canola meal’s nutritional value

Scientific research is increasing our understanding of the feed nutrient advantages of canola meal, particularly in the dairy industry. For the latest findings and optimal feed inclusion levels, visit Canolamazing.com.

Current studies (2018-2023)

Accurate determination of the contribution of canola meal to metabolizable protein supply in dairy cows

Dr. Daniel Ouellet and Dr. Hélène Lapierre (AAFC Sherbrooke); Dr. Pekka Huhtanen (Agriculture research for Northern Sweden); Dr. Édith Charbonneau (University of Laval)

The general objective of the proposed research is to elucidate the reasons of the underestimation of protein supply when canola meal is included in dairy cow diets as a replacement of other protein sources and propose adequate feeding values of the protein quality of canola meal.

This study is funded by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, the Canola Council of Canada, and SaskCanola, Alberta Canola and Manitoba Canola Growers.

Evaluation of canola meal as compared to soybean meal in practical California rations: effects upon long term lactational performance, reproductive performance and metabolic disease

Dr. Peter Robinson and Dr. Nadia Swanepoel (University of California, Davis)

This study willprovide information regarding the use of canola meal in comparison to soybean meal in this unique market with respect to milk production, health and reproduction of dairy cows.

This study was funded by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, the Canola Council of Canada, and SaskCanola, Alberta Canola and Manitoba Canola Growers.

Read project abstract in Animal Feed Science and Technology, June 2020.

Canola meal to improve efficiency and sustainability of dairy production: filling knowledge gaps

Dr. Chaouki Benchaar (AAFC Sherbrooke), Dr. Karen Beauchemin (AAFC Lethbridge) and Dr. Fadi Hassanat (AAFC Sherbrooke)

The objective of the proposed research is to fill knowledge gaps by: (1) determining the optimal inclusion level of canola meal in dairy cow diets (versus soybean meal) to mitigate enteric methane emissions, reduce nitrogen excretion and enhance milk performance (production and efficiency); and (2) establishing the carbon footprint (cradle to farm-gate life cycle analysis) of milk produced using canola meal (versus soybean meal) under typical Eastern (Quebec) and Western (Alberta) dairy confinement farming systems. Ultimately, the proposed research aims to demonstrate whether sustainability (environmental and economic) of dairy production can be improved by using canola meal as the main protein source in dairy cow diets.

This study is funded by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, the Canola Council of Canada, and SaskCanola, Alberta Canola and Manitoba Canola Growers.

Utilization of canola meal in the diets of early lactation cows

Dr. Kenneth Kalscheur (USDA, Wisconsin), Dr. Laura Hernandez (University of Wisconsin, Madison) and Dr. Wenli Li (USDA, Wisconsin)

The overall objective of this proposal will be to investigate and determine how canola meal affects metabolism and productivity of dairy cows through the transition phase (dry period through calving) and into early lactation.

This study is funded by SaskCanola and Alberta Canola.

Understanding the impacts of canola meal on gut microbiota and potential pre-biotic effect of enzymatically-released bioactive fiber components and the long-term effects of high levels of canola meal inclusion on sow and litter performance

Dr. Bogdan Slominski, Dr. Martin Nyachoti, Dr. Anna Rogiewicz and Ehsan Khafipour (University of Manitoba)

The objectives of this research are to understand the impacts of high dietary levels of CM on gut microbiota and potential pre-biotic effect of enzymatically-released bioactive fiber components. An additional objective is to optimize high inclusion levels of canola meal in sow diets and litter performance.

This study is funded by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, the Canola Council of Canada, and SaskCanola, Alberta Canola and Manitoba Canola Growers.

Gut health and digestive physiology of nursery pigs fed canola meal-based diets [click to open accordion]

Dr. Tofuko Woyengo and Dr. Joy Scaria (South Dakota State University)

The overall objective of this project is to determine the effects of including canola meal in diets for nursery pigs on gut health and digestive physiology.

This study is funded by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, the Canola Council of Canada, and SaskCanola, Alberta Canola and Manitoba Canola Growers.

Completed research project themes

Theme 1: Maximizing use of canola meal in dairy feeds (2013-2018)

Researchers: Dr. Tim Mutsvangwa (University of Saskatchewan); Dr. Ken Kalscheur (USDA – Wisconsin); Dr. Glen Broderick (University of Wisconsin); Dr. Antonio Faciola (University of Florida); Dr. Hélène Lapierre and Dr. Daniel Ouellet (AAFC Research Station Lennoxville), and Dr. Peter Robinson (University of California-Davis).

Theme goal: To better understand how the protein and fibre profile of canola meal is utilized by the cow in an effort to understand the mechanism by which dairy cows fed canola meal consistently produce more milk than cows fed other protein sources.

Funded through the Canola Canadian Agri-Science Cluster, a joint initiative of AAFC, the Canola Council of Canada, SaskCanola, Alberta Canola and the Manitoba Canola Growers.

View dairy research on Canolamazing.com

Theme 2: High inclusion levels of canola meal in monogastric rations (2013-2018)

Researchers: Dr. Bogdan Slominski (University of Manitoba); Dr. Martin Nyachoti (University of Manitoba); Dr. Ruurd Zjilstra and Dr. Eduardo Beltranena (University of Alberta)

Theme goal: To address the issues associated with high canola meal feed inclusion levels and to demonstrate that canola meal can effectively be used at very high inclusion levels in swine and poultry feeds.

Funded through the Canola Canadian Agri-Science Cluster, a joint initiative of AAFC, the Canola Council of Canada, SaskCanola, Alberta Canola and the Manitoba Canola Growers. View swine and poultry research