Rapeseed meal is obtained from the process of extracting oil for the seeds of the rapeseed plant, also commonly called canola, is widely used in feed formulations for livestock. It is an essential protein supplementary commodity in animal feed, which contributes to various nutritional benefits to animals.
Uses of Rapeseed Meal
1. Protein Supplement: Rapeseed meal is used mainly as an energy and protein source for inclusion into feed rations for animals. It contains highly soluble amino acids and is therefore recommended for use instead of expensive protein sources like soya bean meal.
2. Ruminant Feed: It is used in concentrate feed formulation for dairy and beef cattle rearing as well as other livestock species. The protein content helps the generation of milk in dairy and beef breeds and also assist in muscle development in beef breeds. Likewise, rapeseed meal is incorporated into the feed rations of sheep and goats to improve growth and wool yield.
3. Aquaculture: Rapeseed meal is used in fish and shrimp diet to supply protein which is cheaper but nutritious and relieves the harms caused by soybean meal to aquatic animals.
Benefits of Rapeseed Meal
1. High Protein Content: Rapeseed meal on an average analysis contains 34-38% crude protein and is widely used in feed formulation for the growth, maintenance and productive needs of livestock. It provided a good source of histidine, methionine, lysine and other amino acids which are considered essential for growth and body building.
2. Rich in Fiber: The source of dietary fiber in rapeseed meal is beneficial to digestion and improves the health of the digestive system of ruminants. In fact, without fiber the digestive system can not function properly and the body is unable to absorb the nutrients properly as well.
3. Source of Energy: Not only does it contain protein, but rapeseed meal is also rich in residual oil which enables it to be used as an ingredient in energy from diets for animals.
4. Essential Minerals and Vitamins: Rapeseed meal is a source of great nutritional importance to animals, richer in essential minerals like phosphorus, magnesium, and calcium important for bone building and metabolic processes in the body. It has nutrients such as the B vitamins and plays roles in maintaining one’s health and metabolism.
5. Economic Benefits: Thus, rapeseed meal appears to be more expensive compared with soybean meal, but sometimes its cost could be lower, which makes this protein source good for livestock producers. It is versatile enough that it can be used for animals that consume different foods, thus minimizing the number of feed types that need to be provided and the related management and costs.
6. Improved Animal Performance: According to the findings of research numerous investigations have revealed that supplementation of rapeseed meal on diets of livestock enhances their growth rates, feed conversion, and milk yields of the dry cows.
Rapeseed meal has many advantages for livestock as a nutritionally-intricate feed ingredient that is multifunctional. Because of high protein values, necessary nutritious elements, and low cost, the product plays an important role in feeding ruminants as well as in aqua farming. Thus, the proper supplementation of rapeseed meal to livestock feed enables the farmers improve on animal nutrition and production in a sustainable manner and at a relatively lower cost.
