Canola Meal in Place of Distillers Grains for Lactating Dairy Cows
David Schingoethe, South Dakota State University - $16,999

The supply of distillers grains with solubles (DDGS) has increased significantly in the upper Midwest states. Considering this increase, it is important to evaluate the role of canola meal as a competing protein supplement or a co-protein supplement. Canola meal is one of the highest biological value vegetable protein supplements available while DDGS, like all corn-base protein sources, is limiting in lysine. However, the protein in canola meal may be more rapidly degraded in the rumen than desired for optimal protein utilization and the protein in DDGS may be degraded less rapidly than desired. Thus, some combination of the two protein sources may be optimal for milk protein production. Analysis of canola meal for glucosinolates will be conducted to determine if the product is truly low in glucosinolates.

Objective:
1. Determine the response of lactating dairy cows to diets containing canola meal as the protein supplement fed to dairy cows in place of all or portions of distillers grains with solubles (DDGS).