High-Protein Sunflower Meal Replaces Soybean Meal in Calf Feeds

The study demonstrates that high-protein sunflower meal can fully replace soybean meal as the primary protein source in calf feeds from 5 to 12 months of age, with no significant differences in weight gain or feed efficiency. Calves fed sunflower meal show comparable growth to controls. Meat from these calves exhibits improved marbling, reduced water content, enhanced water-holding capacity, and superior tenderness and juiciness due to protein structure and water-binding properties. Shear force and texture profile analyses confirm better meat quality. No significant differences in pH or ash content were observed. The findings support high-protein sunflower meal as a viable, sustainable protein source in calf diets, enhancing both growth and meat quality.