Research Objective

• Investigate the full potential of canola meal to become a valuable and cost effective energy, amino acid, and phosphorus supplement in poultry and swine nutrition
• The effects of the high inclusion of canola meal on the growth performance and nutrient utilization in broiler chickens, laying hens, turkeys, as well as weanling pigs, growing pigs, and lactating sows will be studied
• Evaluate the steam explosion process to treat canola meal as compared to other high fibre crop residues

Project Description

The purpose of the project was to determine the effect of high inclusion levels of canola meal (CM) on growth performance and nutrient digestibility of broiler chickens and growing-finishing pigs, as well as the effects of extruded and stream-treated canola meal on weaned pigs for their growth performance. Historically, the dietary level of CM has been limited because of concerns with its high fibre content. The aim of this study was to determine whether the inclusion of CM would actually affect the animals negatively due to the high fibre. Results showed that broiler chicken growth performance was not significantly (P>0.05) affected by CM inclusion levels. The high dietary inclusion in the pigs also showed that it is not only possible, but economically feasible. The study concluded that CM can effectively replace soybean meal (SBM) when used up to 30% in broiler chicken diets, assuming the diets are formulated on a digestible amino acid basis.

As well, this study treated canola meal with steam explosion, which is a process that is meant to improve the fermentability of highly lignified, high fibre crop residues such as straw. The objective of the steam explosion process is to find the lowest cost process that provides maximum nutrient availability. The canola meal was successfully treat by steam explosion for digestibility studies, and further research is required to optimize the process to increase nutrient utilization in dairy and swine.