The effect of feeding rations containing heat treated rapeseed meal, lupins and beans to lactating dairy cows on milk yield and quality

Abstract

The UK ruminant industry is currently reliant on soyabean meal and fishmeal as sources of high quality, digestible undegraded protein (DUP). However, there is increasing concern over the sustainability of fish stocks, and the world market price fluctuation and traceability of soya bean meal. There are a number of protein crops which will grow under UK conditions including sweet white lupins, peas, field beans and oilseeds (rapeseed meal and linseed meal). However, these proteins tend to be more rumen degradable than fish meal and soyabean meal (Moss and Givens, 1994). Heat moisture treatment has been shown to be particularly effective in reducing the rumen degradability of protein without reducing intestinal digestibility (Herland, 1996). This experiment was undertaken to determine the effect of feeding moist heat treated rapeseed meal, lupins and beans to dairy cows.

Glucosinolates as undesirable substances in animal feed - Scientific Opinion of the Panel on Contaminants in the Food Chain

“…In practice, however, the high fibre content of Canola meal is now recognised as the primary obstacle to its use in poultry and, to a lesser extent pigs, which require higher dietary protein and energy levels. For ruminants, low-glucosinolate rapeseed meal can be used as the sole protein supplement without any apparent adverse effects on the health of the animals (Allison et al, 2001). Again, the quality of the protein in rapeseed meal, its price relative to other protein supplements, and the intended level of production are major factors limiting the use of rapeseed meal in ruminant diets.…”