Dairy Event 2010: Linseed can reduce saturated fats in milk
Including linseed in the diet could reduce saturated fat levels in milk and benefit farmer and cow, according to Wyn Morris of BOCM Pauls.
Speaking at one of the Dairy Event and Livestock Show seminars, Mr Morris said increasing the proportion of unsaturated fatty acids in the diet could displace saturated fat levels in milk – a goal outlined by the Foods Standards Agency in 2008.
Rapeseed, linseed, soyabean and sunflower all have the potential to reduce this proportion of unwanted fatty acids, but Mr Morris questioned which was best.
“To answer this question we should ask ourselves what feed the cow traditionally relied on? The answer is of course, grass.”
Research has shown that as cows move from being fed a winter ration of conserved forages, to grazed grass, the level of saturated fatty acids in the milk drops.
“This drop is due to the fact grass is rich in oils, notably alpha linoleic acid (C18:3),” he said.
And linseed contains the same acid making it a viable option for reducing saturated fatty acids.
“One farm found that feeding Lintec, a meal containing linseed and wheat feed, reduced milk saturated fat levels by 11.3%.”
And cutting saturated fat levels in such a way was also beneficial to cow health. “Reducing these levels in the milk is energy sparing, meaning the cow can use energy for other processes.”
Feeding in such a way has also been shown to play a part in reducing methane production.
“Research has also demonstrated a marked improvement in performance when Lintec is fed after calving, demonstrating its energy sparing ability.
“Omega three fatty acid can also reduce early embryonic losses – the most costly form of infertility on farm,” he said.