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Canola meal for dairy nutrition

A dairy consultant is looking to separate fact from fiction when it comes to a common feed ingredient.

Essi Evans with E and E Technical Advisors says canola meal is an excellent source of protein, amino acids, and energy for dairy cows at any life stage.

“And can be used by all phases of livestock, so we can use it for growing animals, we can use it for dry cows, as well as the lactating cows.”

She tells Brownfield that’s counter to a misconception that canola meal is only for lactating cows.

Evans says dairy farmers should also be sure their nutritional resources are accurate.

“I think a lot of the information that people are using, or some of the people who have been in the industry for an extended period of time, relates to some of the early developments in canola meal and not necessarily the results or the meal that’s being used today.”

She says canola meal was previously assumed to provide little escape, or bypass protein, however newer research shows it is an exceptional source.