Abstract
To assess the effect of inclusion of camelina expeller in beef cattle diets, 24 Simmental heifers were used. Two experiments were carried out. In the first, two free-choice tests, one without and another with molasses, were conducted to know the preference of animals for a total mixed ration (TMR) made with a 90 to 10 concentrate to barley straw ratio, where canola meal (CM) or camelina expeller (CE) was used in the concentrate as a protein source. Heifers were allotted in four pens with two independent feedbunks, one for each diet. In the second, a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square design was used to assess the effects of the replacement of CM with CE on intake, digestibility, and sorting and animal behavior. The experiment was performed in four 28-d periods during which groups of three animals were allotted in each pen of 12.5 m2. Diets were formulated with a 90 to 10 concentrate to barley straw ratio and fed as TMR, and they were designed to contain 1) CM as main protein source and 0% of CE (0CE), 2) 3% of CE replacing CM (3CE), 3) 6% of CE replacing CM (6CE), and 4) 9% of CE replacing CM (9CE). In the free-choice test without molasses, heifers showed a greater preference for CM than for CE (38.6 vs. 8.7 kg/d; P < 0.001). When molasses were added to the diet, the preference for CM was maintained (39.1 vs. 9.8 kg/d; P < 0.001). Dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), crude protein (CP), and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) intake was unaffected by the level of replacement of CM by CE (P > 0.10), and there was no effect of this replacement on DM, OM, CP, and NDF apparent digestibility (P > 0.10). Intake of long particle size increased lineally as CE proportion increased (P = 0.015). In addition, extension of sorting behavior for long particle size tended to increase lineally (P = 0.07), and sorting against this particle size was detected in 0CE and 3CE, but not in 6CE and 9CE (P < 0.05). However, the results recorded for long particle size intake and for sorting behavior against these particles did not translate into more time spent ruminating in heifers fed diets with higher proportion of CE. In conclusion, when canola meal was replaced with camelina expeller at more than 14% of inclusion, heifers preferred the canola meal diet. However, replacing canola meal with camelina expeller up to 9% of inclusion in diets for beef cattle did not affect intake and digestibility but promoted a greater intake of long particle size of barley straw.
Highlights
Common plant protein sources, such as soybean meal and canola meal, are expensive and subject to volatile prices
We studied the effects of replacing canola meal with camelina expeller on intake, digestibility, and feeding behavior of beef heifers fed high-concentrate diets
When the first free-choice test was performed, heifers showed a higher preference for canola meal (CM) than for camelina expeller (CE) (38.6 vs. 8.7; P < 0.001; Table 3), and this preference was maintained throughout the day (Fig. 1)
Summary
Common plant protein sources, such as soybean meal and canola meal, are expensive and subject to volatile prices. These economic circumstances are driving the research of potential new protein sources for beef cattle diets that can reduce ration cost without compromising animal performance. The industry’s interest in using camelina seeds to produce biofuel has generated coproducts that can be useful as protein sources to feed animals. Colombini et al (2012) studied different genotypes of Camelina sativa and, after biodiesel extraction, stated that they have potential for use in ruminant rations as a high-quality protein source. Two coproducts can be considered: camelina expeller after a mechanical oil extraction, and camelina meal when, in addition to mechanical extraction, a solvent is involved, raising the price of camelina meal with regard to camelina expeller
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
