Despite some concerns, canola meal should be part of swine diets, this specialist recommends
By Jennifer Jackson
Is canola meal still an important part of a healthy pig’s diet? Yes, says Dr. Martin Nyachoti, a professor in the animal science department of the University of Manitoba.
Canola meal has been used in the livestock industry for quite some time. Nyachoti says, however, that the use of this feed should be increased because of the benefits it provides.
“Canola is a good source of protein and is considered a protein supplement because (it is made up of) about 40 per cent protein,” Nyachoti said in a Feb 2nd Farmscape podcast. Canola meal “also (has) other nutrients (such as) a high level of phosphorus. (It also provides a) significant amount of energy.”
Soybean meal is a common additive in feed and should not be seen as competing with canola meal for a place in feeding regimens. Rather, the two meals complement one another. When used together, soybean and canola meals provide high levels of amino acids and nutrients, according to Nyachoti.
Despite the benefits of canola meal, some farmers are concerned about possible drawbacks.
We hear that “you cannot use a lot of canola meal and I have heard people say it has (too much) fibre,” said Nyachoti. “It is true that canola meal used to have high levels of what we call antinutritional factors, but the new canola varieties and techniques that are used to produce canola meal take care of those concerns. (Also,) we do not think that the high fibre is a problem unless the diets are formulated improperly.”
When formulating rations with canola meal, farmers and their input suppliers should consider such factors as availability, cost and quality.
Due to Canada’s large production of canola, “economics would favour (farmers) using (it in feed). We have a lot of it around,” said Nyachoti. However, “it would also depend on the (value) of the other ingredients used in the diet.”
With a properly-formulated diet, some farmers may be surprised by how much canola meal pigs can eat.
“Today (in the seminar) I talked about using upwards of 25 per cent (canola meal) in a pig’s diet – that’s very much higher than what anyone has thought about, including myself, a few years ago,” said Nyachoti.
“So if the price is right, people should not fear using canola meal as a source of protein in the swine diet.”
Nyachoti discussed the use of canola meal in swine rations at the Manitoba Swine Seminar that took place on Feb. 1 and 2.