Sunflower meal is a rather valuable feed product that is widely used in agriculture. Thanks to the use of sunflower meal, it is possible to significantly increase the productivity of birds and animals.
In this article we will tell about sunflower meal, what it is and how it should be used.
Sunflower meal - what is it?
Few know what sunflower meal is. Sunflower meal is one of the results of processing in the manufacture of sunflower oil, which is obtained in the process of pressing and subsequent extraction of sunflower seeds. Pressing is the process by which oil is squeezed out of sunflower seeds. And extraction is the release of residual oil after pressing the seeds with organic solvents. As a result, in the sunflower meal after pressing the residual oil is at the level of 1.5-2%. Sunflower meal density - 600 kg / m3.
Useful properties and composition of sunflower meal
The composition of sunflower meal contains up to 2% oil, as well as 30-42% protein and fiber.
Did you know? Carbohydrates, which are part of the meal, are presented in the form of sucrose.
Also, sunflower meal contains in its composition phosphorus, vitamins B and E and other minerals, which is why it is so indispensable as an additive in compound feed for pigs, cattle and birds. Due to the high content of methionine in the meal, it has a good effect on the development and growth of young animals. Unlike sunflower meal, the meal contains much more crude protein. The husk is also contained in the meal, but not more than 16%, but today they also produce sunflower meal without husk.The composition has a deficiency in lysine, but sunflower meal almost does not contain anti-nutritional substances, unlike other types of meal. Compared with soybean meal, in a sunflower arabinoxylan index is 117, this provides high digestibility of protein. Also, sunflower meal contains much more vitamin B than soy.
Who and in what doses in the diet add sunflower meal
Sunflower meal is used for feeding birds, animals and fish. It can be used both in pure form and as an additive in the feed.
Who can give sunflower meal
If you use sunflower meal as food, it increases the productivity of animals, and also improves the quality of livestock products. For example, cows increase the fat content in milk and daily milk yield. The main consumers of sunflower meal are poultry, namely broiler chickens. Begin to use it already from the age of 7 days of chickens.
Unlike other types of meal, the advantage of sunflower is that it has a high resistance to mycotoxins, which, in turn, virtually eliminates the possibility of damage from its use.
For poultry it is best to choose the meal with a minimum amount of husk.
Did you know? If you feed laying hens with sunflower-based meal with a high level of fiber, the daily weight gain and feed consumption is significantly reduced.
The rules of adding meal to the "menu" of animals
We found out what meals are, but it is also important to understand in what quantities to add them to the diet. The quality of sunflower meal is very dependent on the proportion of shells that are in it. Crude fiber in it is about 18%, so when preparing feed formulations for pigs, this is a limiting factor, and it is necessary to enrich the sunflower meal with other additives. Sunflower meal is very rich in methionine.
Young cattle are given up to 1-1.5 kg of sunflower meal, for cows - 2.5-3 kg each, and for pigs - up to 0.5-1.5 kg. In the summer, laying hens can be given up to 35 g of sunflower meal per individual, and in winter up to 10 g. The proportion of sunflower meal is 0.6 g / m3, it must be given dry, after grinding, or wetted, previously distribution to animals.
Harmful properties of sunflower meal: what can harm the excessive use of the product
How to get and how to use sunflower meal, we figured out. It is an excellent dietary supplement for both birds and livestock. With all its beneficial properties, a small amount of useless or harmful components may be contained in sunflower meal, for example, mercury, lead, nitrates, T-2 toxins.
Important! The permissible percentage of these components is determined by GOSTImpurities such as earth, pebbles or glass should not be contained in sunflower meal. Therefore, if you decide to purchase sunflower meal, then choose a trusted manufacturer so that it will be produced according to GOST.
Sunflower Meal Storage Conditions
Sunflower meal can be stored in bulk in covered rooms or in piles in bags. Direct sunlight should not fall on the product. The room in which the sunflower meal is stored must be equipped with a ventilation system. If the meal is stored in bulk, it must be periodically mixed. And if in bags, then they should lie on pallets or racks. Also, the meal should not be heated by more than 5 ° C compared to the ambient temperature.
Important! The moisture content of sunflower meal should not exceed 6%, otherwise the product will begin to rot and mold.If the meal was made according to the requirements of GOST, then its shelf life is 3 years. The hazard class of sunflower meal is 5th, that is, the degree of environmental impact is minimal.
