Sunflower seed cake is obtained by grinding the remaining product after extracting the oil from whole sunflower seeds by solvent extraction method.The nutritional value of sunflower cake varies greatly depending on whether it is shelled or unshelled. If the Shell has never been seperated , the protein content of Expeller Sunflower cake can be reduced to 15% , and the cellulose rate can be up to 38%.
On the other hand, the crudecellulose content of the extracted sunflower cake can be over 15% and the crude protein rate can be over 40%. Sunflower cake is insufficent in terms of essential amino acids, ,ncluding lysine, and the biological value of the protein is mid-level. Although the methionine level is insufficent,it is higher than other cakes.Good quality sunflower cake is a valuable feed especially for ruminant animals and is loved and consumed by all animal because of its deliciousness. Sunflower seed cake is used as a very good source of protein, energy and cellulos in dairy and beef cattle rations. Fort his reason, high cellulose level is evaluated in the stabilization of cellulose in dairy and beef cattle feding programs.
Sunflower seed cake is complementary to soybean cake in nutrşent profile and can create an effective combination in dairy and beef cattle rations. It can be given up to 2.5 kg for dairy cows and 6 kg for beef cattle per day. It is reported that it has a positive effect on egg production in laying hens. 15-20 % of the crude protein of Broiler mixes and 30-35% laying hens can be easliy obtained from sunflower cake.
