Canola meal is second only to soybean meal as a protein source used in animal diets. However, the digestibility of amino acids and digestible energy is lower in canola meal than in soybean meal because of the high concentration of fiber in canola meal. The high fiber content and the presence of glucosinolates limit inclusion of canola meal in diets fed to pigs.

Research on using canola meal in pig diets at different stages has indicated that it can be used in gestation diets without limitation and 15 to 20% may be included in lactation diets. However, at least one study indicated that including canola meal in gestating and lactation diets reduced the number of pigs born alive and the number of pigs weaned, and also reduced lactation feed intake and litter weaning weight.

New canola varieties have been developed that yield meal with more protein and less fiber compared with conventional canola meal (CM-CV). The objectives of this research were to determine the effects of feeding diets containing high protein canola meal (CM-HP) or CM-CV to sows during gestation and lactation, and to determine the optimum inclusion rates of CM-HP and CM-CV in gestation and lactation diets.

Mathai, J. K., Y. Liu, and H. H. Stein. 2017. Values for digestible indispensable amino acid scores (DIAAS) for some dairy and plant proteins may better describe protein quality than values calculated using the concept for protein digestibility-corrected amino acid scores (PDCAAS). Brit. J. Nutr. 117:490-499. Link to full text (.pdf)

Walsh, M. C., L. Payling, I. H. Kim, and H. H. Stein. 2017. Effects of a multistrain Bacillus spp. direct-fed microbial and protease combination at different doses on apparent ileal and total tract digestibility of nutrients in growing pigs fed corn–soybean meal–based diets – A combined analysis of two studies. J. Anim. Sci. 95(Suppl. 5):141 (Abstr.) Link to abstract (.pdf)

Yoder, A. D., M. B. Muckey, C. R. Stark, H. H. Stein, and C. K. Jones. 2017. Determining starch gelatinization from grains collected at various locations within the extrusion process. J. Anim. Sci. 95(Suppl. 5):129 (Abstr.) Link to abstract (.pdf)

Navarro, D. M. D. L., E. M. A. M. Bruininx, L. de Jong, and H. H. Stein. 2017. Effects of physicochemical characteristics of feed ingredients on total tract digestibility of dry matter, energy, fiber, and protein by growing pigs. J. Anim. Sci. 95(Suppl. 5):90 (Abstr.) Link to abstract (.pdf)

Blavi, L., D. Solà-Oriol, J. F. Pérez, and H. H. Stein. 2017. Effects of zinc oxide and microbial phytase on standardized total tract digestibility of calcium in maize-based diets fed to growing pigs. J. Anim. Sci. 95(Suppl. 5):85 (Abstr.) Link to abstract (.pdf)

Lowell, J. E., B. M. Bohrer, K. B. Wilson, M. F. Overholt, B. N. Harsh, H. H. Stein, A. C. Dilger, and D. D. Boler. 2017. Fresh belly characteristics and commercial bacon slicing yield in growing-finishing pigs fed an antibiotic-free diet or a diet supplemented with a natural antimicrobial. J. Anim. Sci. 95(Suppl. 5):65 (Abstr.) Link to abstract (.pdf)

The chemical composition and structure of dietary fiber, as well as physicochemical characteristics such as bulk density, swelling, water binding capacity, and viscosity, may influence the digestion of energy and nutrients in feed ingredients. Having a complete account of the components of a feed ingredient, particularly the type and concentration of fiber, is necessary in order to accurately the energy value of an ingredient using prediction equations.

An experiment was conducted to obtain a detailed description of the composition of ten feed ingredients, and to compare the analyzed gross energy (GE) with the GE predicted by adding together the measured energy-containing components. A secondary objective was to measure the in vitro apparent total tract digestibility (IVATTD) and in vitro apparent ileal digestibility (IVAID) of dry matter (DM) and organic matter (OM) in the feed ingredients, and to determine the correlations between the physicochemical characteristics of the ingredients and the in vitro digestibility.

Casas, G. A., C. Huang, and H. H. Stein. 2017. Nutritional value of soy protein concentrate ground to different particle sizes and fed to pigs. J. Anim. Sci. 95:827-836. Link to full text (.pdf)