Innovations in cattle feed explored by USask

The University of Saskatchewan (USask) is investigating novel treatments to existing agricultural byproducts to find environmentally sustainable and economically feasible feed alternatives.

Canadian beef and cattle producers are facing a familiar challenge this winter: keeping their herds fed outside of grazing season. The cold-climate cattle production relies on the storage and use of feed crops, such as hay and other cereal grains.

Dr. Gabriel Ribeiro is an assistant professor in the Department of Animal and Poultry Science at the College of Agriculture and Bioresources. He said climate change has caused drier growing seasons that make traditional feed sources less available and more costly.

“In the last few years, the price of feed has skyrocketed. The price of grain was the highest we’ve ever seen. This really puts producers in a situation where many of them are questioning whether they will stay in business,” Ribeiro said.

These increased production costs have also impacted the price of meat and dairy products in Saskatchewan supermarkets.

Ribeiro is leading a study with USask’s Drs. Gregory Penner and Bart Lardner to explore how the application of alkali treatments to agricultural byproducts such as straw, in addition to oilseed screenings supplementation, can provide a more affordable and sustainable alternative to traditional feeds.

The fibre in straw is hard to digest and lacks the protein needed for healthy cattle. Ribeiro and his team are working to increase the digestibility of straw by treating it with calcium oxide and calcium hydroxide and supplementing it with screenings of oilseeds like canola and flax, to help the microbes in the digestive tracts of cattle break down the fibre.

The research will also look at how adding oilseed screenings can provide essential protein and amino acids to cattle gut microbes, further supporting the breakdown of fibre and increasing the overall nutrient profile of the diet.