Southern Oil utilizes canola byproduct for animal feed
SOUTH AFRICA- Southern Oil (SOILL), a leading producer of canola oil in Africa, has launched an initiative to reduce waste by repurposing byproducts from canola oil production into nutrient-rich animal feed.
Pieter Louw, SOILL’s Key Account Manager for Protein, underscores the efficiency of their operations in ensuring the utilization of every component of the canola seed.
“The efficiency of our operations ensures that all of the canola seed is utilized – primarily for the canola oil used in our B-well range of products, with the remaining material repurposed into valuable animal feed,” he explains.
The process begins with the locally-grown, 100% GMO-free canola seeds arriving at the SOILL extraction plant. Upon arrival, the seeds undergo a meticulous cleaning process utilizing sieves to separate them from any accompanying plant parts.
This sieved plant material, rich in nutrients, is then collected and supplied to farmers as roughage for ruminant animals such as cows, sheep, and goats.
Following the initial sieving process, the canola seeds are subjected to crushing and extrusion to extract the oil, leaving behind a residual material known as oil cake.
This oil cake, abundant in protein and fiber, undergoes milling to achieve a fine texture before being blended with other raw materials including maize, barley, vitamins, minerals, and additional roughage.
The resulting feed formulations cater to a diverse range of livestock, spanning sheep, cattle, poultry, and pigs.
“Because the energy part (the oil) is pressed out of the seed, the meal that remains is very high in protein, with a minimum value of 34%,” Pieter explains. “Protein is a valuable and expensive raw material in animal feeds, thus canola meal is ideal for supplying a significant amount of good-quality protein to the animals’ diets.”
Furthermore, the feed derived from canola meal is enriched with two crucial limiting amino acids – Lysine and Methionine – which play pivotal roles in enhancing milk production and milk solids production in dairy animals.
Pieter highlights the overwhelmingly positive feedback received from customers regarding the benefits of a canola meal. Farmers appreciate its palatability, ease of use, and, most significantly, its substantial contribution to the health and productivity of their livestock.
Enhanced milk production and improved milk solids have been reported, resulting in superior quality dairy products and increased profitability for farmers.
Through its dedication to innovation and sustainability, SOILL not only ensures that the nutritional advantages of canola are shared with the agricultural industry but also significantly reduces waste, thereby contributing to a more environmentally conscious and economically viable future.
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