Canola (Brassica campestris or Brassica rapa)
is grown in temperate regions of the world. Not to be confused
with its parent rapeseed, canola is defined as containing <30
moles/g of glucosinolates (GL) and <2% erucic acid. Canola
is classified as an oilseed in recognition of its high [~ 400g
(gram) kg (kilogram)-1] oil content. As a feed, canola
is most commonly used as the meal remaining after solvent extraction
of the oil, although feeding the whole seed, press cake, and oil
itself is routinely practiced. The following is a summary of
present knowledge concerning the use of canola in pig diets.
Canola meal is the product remaining following the solvent extraction of canola oil. The composition of canola meal (Table N1) is reasonably consistent, because the pooling of meal during processing minimizes variation. Crushing canola is a standardized, industrial procedure. However, variation between crushing plants has been noted (Bell and Keith, 1991{1782}) and variation in crude protein has been documented by cultivar, environment and season (Thacker and Aherne, 1984 {1902}).
Canola meal has long been viewed as an acceptable
protein source for all classes of pigs and its use is commonplace
throughout western Canada. When diets are properly balanced,
pig performance is equivalent to that of SBM(soyabean meal)-based
diets. The recent determination of amino acid ileal digestibilities
for canola meal has been a significant development that allows
diet formulation to more closely meet the requirements of pigs.
Using metabolizable or net energy values rather than digestible
energy further refines the process allowing producers to more
accurately assess and optimally use canola meal.