Dairy

To determine the optimum combination of level and length of feeding of extruded flaxseed to achieve a desired concentration of ALA in subcutaneous fat.
To determine if the consistency of the elevation of ALA in the subcutaneous fat is affected by either the amount of flaxseed in the diet or the length of feeding.

Methodology :

40 gilts and 40 barrows were fed either the control diet for 12 weeks, or a diet containing 10, 20, or 30% LinPRO (equivalent to 5, 10 and 15% extruded flax) for 12, 8, or 4 weeks prior to fat sampling.
Analysis included:
- Effect of diet
- Length of feeding
- Gender, and
- All interactions between the above effects

Results :

In all feeding levels and durations, the Omega-6:Omega-3 ratio was improved with LinPRO compared to pigs fed the control diet.
Males were found to have an increased ADG and ADFI, and a decreased FCE. There was a significant increase in backfat of the pigs as more LinPRO was included, as well as when feeding duration increased.
ALA was significantly higher in the pigs fed 30% LinPRO, with the highest levels being reached when fed at this level for 12 weeks. The consistency of ALA enrichment was at its highest at 12 weeks.

Conclusion :

Enrichment of ALA in backfat is improved by increasing either the dietary concentration of flaxseed or the length of feeding.
Maximal enrichment was obtained by feeding 30% LinPRO for 12 weeks.
Consistency of the enrichment is improved with the length of feeding.

Research Abstract

METABOLISM AND NUTRITION

Effects of coextrustion of flaxseed and field peas on the digestibility of energy, ether extract, fatty acids, protein, and amino acids in grower-finisher pigs

Authors :

J.K. Htoo, X. Meng, J.F. Patience, M.E.R. Dugan, and R.T. Zijlstra

Purpose :

To determine the ileal and total tract digestibility of individual fatty acids, ether extract, energy, protein, and amino acids in a mix of flax and field peas and to determine whether extrusion improves the nutritive value of this mix.

Methodology :

A 50:50 mix of flax and field peas was divided and processed in 4 different ways:
1. Ground through a knife mill, non-extruded
2. Extruded using a single-screw extruder with minimal water input
3. Extruded using a twin-screw extruder at low intensity
4. Extruded using a twin-screw extruder at high intensity
The basal and flax/field pea diets were based on wheat and soybean meal. The 4 experimental diets included one of the flax/field pea mixtures at 30% of the basal diet.
T-cannulas were fitted to the distal ileum of the barrows. These contents were used for a 2-day collection of the ileal digesta. This, along with a 2-day collection of feces was used to analyze DM, ether extract, ash, and amino acids.

Results :

Extrusion increased the ATTD of GE, ether extract and the DE content of the flax/field pea blend, and the AID of certain amino acids.
Extrusion also tended to increase the AID of linolenic acid.
Extrusion did not affect the apparent total tract digestibility, and apparent ileal digestibility of DM, OM, and CP for grower finisher pigs.

Conclusion :

LinPRO, which is produced by single screw extrusion, resulted in a trend for greater AID of linolenic acid and total fatty acids as compared to other methods of extrusion.
Extrusion of the flax/field pea blend improved the digestibility of ether extract, energy, amino acids, and some fatty acids and thereby increased the content of DE and Omega-3 fatty acids.

Research Abstract

METABOLISM AND NUTRITION

Preliminary Report: An evaluation of LinPRO Under Commercial Conditions

Authors :

Robert M. McKay (Swine Research & Development Corporation)

Purpose :

To determine if feeding LinPRO had a detrimental effect on live and carcass performance.
To determine if feeding LinPRO resulted in higher levels of the Omega-3 polyunsaturates.

Methodology :

20 pigs in 2 pens were included in the study.
The control pen received their usual finisher diet, while the treatment pen received their usual feed, augmented with LinPRO.
After 6 weeks, the pigs were removed from the trial and slaughtered. After the carcasses were chilled for 18 hours, samples were taken, cured and smoked. Fresh loin pork, bacon, and ham samples were transported for further evaluation.

Results :

It was found that ALA was higher in the pigs fed LinPRO, showing that Omega-3 fatty acids were higher in these pigs.
The pen fed the LinPRO enriched diet had a possible advantage in feed efficiency. There were small differences in average daily feed intake and average daily gain, with the pigs fed LinPRO having a slightly lower feed intake and a slight increase in average daily gain.
The carcasses of the pigs fed LinPRO had darker fat than the control carcasses, but this was the only difference between the two groups. This suggests that LinPRO treatment did not adversely affect the carcasses.
A taste panel was held and no significant differences were found between the LinPRO fed pork and the control diet.

Conclusion :

The live performance of pigs fed LinPRO had a possible advantage over the pigs fed the control diet.
It appears that LinPRO treatment does not adversely affect the pig carcasses and there was no major differences in taste or appearance of ham, loin and bacon.
Pigs fed LinPRO had higher levels of Omega-3, specifically ALA, than those pigs fed the control diet.

Research Abstract

METABOLISM AND NUTRITION

Feeding co-extruded flaxseed to pigs: Effects of duration and feeding level on growth performance and backfat fatty acid composition of grower-finisher pigs.

Authors :

M. Juarez, M.E.R. Dugan, N. Aldai, J.L. Aalhus, J.F. Patience, R.T. Zijlstra, and A.D. Beaulieu

Purpose :

To examine the effect of co-extrusion on subsequent Omega-3 fatty acids in pig tissues.

Methodology :

80 pigs were included in the study with 4 gilts and 4 barrows per treatment. Animals were grouped by weight, parentage and gender.
Nine treatment groups and one control group were included in the study. The nine treatments were 3 levels of LinPRO (10, 20, 30%) tested for each of 3 different durations (4, 8, and 12 weeks).
Pig weights and feed consumption were used to calculate average daily gain, average daily feed intake and feed conversion.
Analysis included level of flaxseed in the diet, length of feeding, gender, and interactions between all effects.

Results :

Feeding flax containing diets for increasing durations led to increases in Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids, total polyunsaturated fatty acids and a reduction in total monounsaturated fatty acids and saturated fatty acids.
Barrows had higher interactions for ADG, ADFI and lower feed conversion than gilts. As dietary flaxseed increased, ADFI decreased but ADG was unaffected.
Prolonged feeding of co-extruded flaxseed, independent of its level of dietary inclusion, reduced ADG.

Conclusion :

Addition of LinPRO to pig diets provided a highly available source of Omega-3, which resulted in increased Omega-3 levels in backfat.
It is possible to achieve the levels of Omega-3 required for an enrichment claim by varying the level and duration of co-extruded flax fed to pigs.

Research Abstract

METABOLISM AND NUTRITION

The Effect of Enzyme Supplementation on Egg Production Parameters and Omega-3 Fatty Acid Deposition in Laying Hens Fed Flaxseed and Canola Seed

Authors :

W. Jia, B.A. Slominski and W. Guenter (University of Manitoba);
A.Humphreys (Nutreco Canada);and
O. Jones (Canadian Bio-Systems Inc.)

Purpose :

To evaluate the effect of feeding LinPRO to laying hens to produce eggs that contain a significant level of Omega-3 fatty acids for the commercial egg market.

Methodology :

648 laying hens under semi controlled conditions were randomly assigned six test diets, administered through the production peak (39 to 63 weeks of age)
Birds were weighed individually at the start and end of the experiment
Egg production was recorded daily, and eggs were weighed in the middle of each period
Using a wide number of scientific methods, the following were tested :
Egg production
Hen Weight and Eggshell quality
Digesta Viscosity and Total Tract Fat and NSP Digestibilities
Egg Fatty Acid Profile

Results :

Feeding LinPRO at an inclusion rate of 15% in the commercial laying hen diet resulted in an Omega-3 fatty acid content of >350mg per 52g egg.

Conclusion :

High levels of dietary flax adversely affected hen production performance. Inclusion of LinPRO in laying hen diets diminished these effects and, as well, increased the Omega-3 content of eggs to a level greater than the 300mg/52g egg required by CFIA labelling guidelines.

Modern day consumers have become increasingly aware of the quality and nutritional value of their diets with a particular focus on Omega-3 essential fatty acids. One common strategy for increasing Omega-3 dietary intake of humans is through the consumption of functional foods such as Omega-3 eggs.

Since the fatty acid composition of the egg yolk is largely related to the fatty acid composition of the animal’s diet, enrichment of eggs can be achieved naturally through the addition of ingredients such as linPRO.

O&T Farms Ltd. has been actively involved in the egg industry for generations. Through extensive research and product development they have designed a patented dry extrusion process to maximize the benefits of Omega-3s in flaxseed and improve the transfer of these fatty acids into the eggs of laying hens. The company closely with producers and consumers to ensure eggs produced using linPRO meet the highest standards of quality.

O&T Farms Ltd.’s Research Initiatives

Egg Analysis Program

Effects of LinPRO on Production and Fatty Acid Profile of Eggs

Flaxseed in animal feed has exciting potential.

Authors :

Henry L. Classen (University of Saskatchewan)

Purpose :

Digestibility Trial: To determine the apparent metabolizable energy (AME), and amino acid and fat digestibility of LinPRO when fed to broiler chickens.
Broiler Trial: To study the use of graded levels of LinPRO on the performance of broiler chickens and to study the impact of diet on the fatty acid profile of broiler chicken carcasses.

Methodology :

Digestibility Trial:

Extruded LinPRO at 30% of a basal diet was compared to an equal amount of flaxseed and peas that were ground in a hammer mill before use.
Chicks were fed a commercial diet from 1 to 24 days of age and then transferred to a treatment diet containing 0 or 30% of the test meal.
After 7 days, the contents of the proximal ileum, terminal ileum and feces were collected for analysis.

Broiler Trial:

Four dietary treatments were used (0, 5, 10 or 15% LinPRO), with each formulation containing equal protein and energy.
Each treatment was replicated five times with 124 birds per replication.
Birds were on trial from 0 to 39 days of age.
Body weight, feed consumption, daily mortality and a subjective litter quality assessment were recorded throughout the trial.
At 19 and 39 days of age, ileal contents and fatty acid profiles of carcasses were examined.

Results :

Digestibility Trial:

Birds fed extruded LinPRO gained more weight and converted feed more efficiently than those that were fed the same ingredients in a non-extruded form.
Diets including LinPRO had a lower AME, as well as reduced fat digestibility in comparison to the non-extruded form. However, all amino acids except methionine and serine were more digestible for LinPRO.

Broiler Trial:

LinPRO resulted in a linear decrease in growth rate for 0-19 days, but had no effect on gain from 19 to 39 days. The degree of this effect was relatively small.
LinPRO did not affect the total fat content of the carcass; however, including LinPRO had a major effect on the fatty acid composition of the carcass fat. Most notably, omega-3 fatty acids increased while palmitic and oleic acid decreased.

Conclusion :

LinPRO caused a major increase in the omega-3 content of carcass fat with the largest portion of this increase coming from linolenic acid.
Extrusion does improve nutrient utilization.

American Dairymen Article

Dairy producers are turning to the omega-3 feed ingredient called linPRO-R as a strategy to optimize the health and performance of their cattle herd. LinPRO-R feed ingredient is gaining attention for its associated omega-3 benefits on animal health and reproductive performance.

Dr. Troy L. Ott, Professor of Reproductive Physiology at Penn State University, offered this comment on their current research with linPRO-R: “ongoing research at Penn State supports the hypothesis that feeding a diet enriched in omega-3 fatty acids (linPRO-R) from calving to 21 days after calving alters immune cell function in transition dairy cows”. Furthermore, commercial application has shown an improvement in dairy cow conception rates as high as 20% in some herds when linPRO-R was included in the diet.

For more information on these exciting data, check-out the O&T Farms feature article in the September 2016 issue of American Dairymen.

View the full American Dairymen article by clicking HERE.

Spring 2016, University of Saskatchewan ~ Agknowledge Magazine

The Spring 2016 issue of the University of Saskatchewan’s agknowledge magazine features an article on the accomplishments of our colleague Janna Moats (pg 22). Janna pursued her graduate studies in ruminant nutrition at the University of Saskatchewan and successfully defended her thesis. Collaborating with several parties, Janna has effectively communicated the Omega-3 opportunities for functional foods like milk and cheese.

Got milk? The farm-to-fork connection…pg 22 U of S agknowledge

Click here to read article