The digestibility can be increased by processing but the small size and high oil content of the seed makes on-farm processing difficult. Some form of commercial processing may be necessary to maximize fat utilization. The University of Manitoba has fed up to 2kg of whole canola seed with no detrimental effects. Vegetable oils are unsaturated fats and will likely cause changes in rumen fermentation. Animal fats are saturated fats and are less likely to cause milkfat depression.
Special equipment is necessary to keep tallow in a liquid state.
Feed intake will be reduced if rancid tallow is fed. They are easy to handle but are a more expensive form of fat.