Economic Value of Canola/Camelina Meal

Sample Report

J. Shannon Neibergs, Donald A. Llewellyn, Jon Paul Driver and Stephanie Ann George

Washington State University Extension

Beef Cattle Winter Feed and Protein Supplement Cost Calculator

Objectives

1. Determine economic value of commercially

processed camelina meal as well as farm processed canola meal.

2. Develop a spread sheet decision aid for beef cow-calf producers to evaluate winter feed costs.

Abstract

This integrated project has dual purposes. The first is to determine the economic value of farm processed camelina and canola biodiesel processing byproducts as protein supplements for ruminants. The second purpose develops a spreadsheet decision aid for beef cow-calf producers to evaluate winter feed costs. Across the Pacific Northwest cattle production area, there is limited winter forage so costly hay and protein supplements are commonly used in winter feed programs. Consequently the winter feed program is often targeted to trim production cost by feeding low quality roughages necessitating protein supplementation. This decision aid evaluates the winter feed program relative to nutritional requirements for replacement heifers, first calf heifers and mature cows, and determines the winter feed program cost. The two purposes coordinate in determining the economic values of camelina and canola byproducts relative to commonly used commercially available protein supplements in the amounts required to meet the beef herd nutritional requirements. Benefits of the decision aid are that producers can evaluate alternative winter feed programs, and the economic value of camelina and canola can be determined as market prices change for commercially available protein supplement substitutes. The decision aid seeks to help expand the market for camelina and canola byproducts.

This material is based upon work supported by the CSNAR BIO-Ag Grant Program and the WSU Western Center

Similar to chart 1, this chart depicts predicted camelina meal price as well predicted value for farm processed canola meal. Most important is the relationship in prices.

Chart 1 demonstrates the relationship between soybean meal prices, predicted canola meal prices and observed canola meal prices. The correlation between predicted, and observed canola meal price over the period from 2003 to 2013 is .93.

Instructions

Herd Demographics – Enter head count, days on feed, weight goals, BCS for growing heifers, replacement heifers, and bred cows. Feeds – Enter price and nutrient content of roughages and supplements. Grazing – Enter price per acre, acres available, and pasture nutrients. Roughages – This tab calculates the roughages required based on the information provided in the grazing tab. Nutrient Requirements – Nutrients provided to the animals from grazing and roughage resources are seen on this tab. Deficits are identified and circled in red. The lower portion of the table suggests supplement possibilities. Supplemented Ration – This tab allows supplements to be added to the diet. The diet is then re-evaluated and remaining deficiencies are highlighted. Whole Herd Feed Budgets – Budgets are calculated both on a dry matter and an as fed basis. Final Report – The final report covers lbs/head/day, total tons fed, costs, as well as nutrient requirements.

Crude Protein Net Energy (Mcal/Lb.)

Soybean Meal 48% 1.05 Canola Meal (Commercial) 39% 0.90

Camelina Meal 37% 0.96 Canola Meal (Farm

Processed) 27% 0.88

Mature Weight 1200 Peak Milk 20 Months Since Calving 1 Supplement CP % 37% Current BCS 5 Desired BCS 6

Camelina Intake Limitation

If the protein content of the hay being fed is less than 6% for mature cows, the intake limit is restricting.