Evaluating the effect of fermented rapeseed meal on milk production and metabolic processes in dairy cows

High milk production starts with well-managed feeding. Even where feed quality is good, diets may lack high-quality protein. Protein supports growth, development and milk production, but quality matters as much as quantity. Bypass protein is especially valuable for cows: it passes through the rumen without being broken down and is absorbed in the intestine. Conventional sources, such as sunflower meal and rapeseed cake, mainly contain readily degradable protein. Some is converted into microbial protein in the rumen, undergoing substantial changes, while the remainder is broken down to ammonia and excreted as urea in milk and urine. This places pressure on rumen function, reduces nutrient-use efficiency and increases metabolic demands.

Modern farms increasingly use alternative protein sources. One example is Canolac, an extensively processed fermented rapeseed meal. It contains more rumen-undegradable protein and provides an appropriate level and balance of essential amino acids.

Canolac helps:

• Increase the proportion of bypass protein in the diet;
• Raise essential amino acid supply;
• Balance protein nutrition;
• Reduce pressure on the rumen microbiome, organs and tissues;
• Achieve the productivity supported by the animal's genetics.

Canolac concentrate makes conventional diets more nutritious and effective by supplying high-quality protein for cows.

A trial in lactating cows evaluated Canolac by replacing part of the conventional rapeseed meal with the extensively processed fermented product. The best result was achieved when 50% of the conventional meal was replaced with Canolac concentrate. This proportion produced the greatest improvement in milk production and metabolic performance:

• Total milk yield increased by 3.2%;
• Milk fat yield increased by 3.9%;
• Milk protein yield increased by 4.0%.

Blood analysis also showed a reduction in total protein within the normal range. This indicated more efficient use of protein for milk synthesis, supported by an appropriate essential amino acid supply in the experimental diet.

Including fermented rapeseed meal in lactating-cow diets supports more efficient and productive feeding. Canolac protein concentrate improves dietary protein nutrition, supplies bypass protein and essential amino acids and helps increase milk production.

Using Canolac as an animal protein source demonstrates how innovative feeding solutions can deliver tangible economic benefits for farms.