Why Feed Flaxseed? Now there s a way to get energy dense diets into receiving cattle without depressing intake

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1 Why Feed Flaxseed? Adding a pound per head per day of ground flaxseed to beef cattle rations can dramatically enhance carcass value and improve intake in the process. On-going research indicates that higher levels of ground flax may enrich beneficial omega 3 fatty acids levels in flax-fed beef. Flaxseed is one of the highest natural sources of omega 3 fatty acids. It contains about 42% oil and 23% protein, making it an energy-dense replacement for other costly feed ingredients. Now there s a way to get energy dense diets into receiving cattle without depressing intake Quality Grade Improvements. Adding ground flax to the beef cattle rations consistently improves quality grade. Improvements in the percentage of cattle grading USDA Choice or better have resulted in carcass value increases of at least $6 to $18 per head (using an average Choice-Select spread of $8/cwt.) Research at Kansas State University indicates that adding a pound of ground flax per head per day to receiving diets repeatedly produced a higher percentage of USDA Choice and USDA Prime carcasses 150 to 200 days later. USDA Standard grading carcasses were virtually eliminated. Flax can also enhance carcass value when incorporated into the finishing ration. Feeding one pound per head per day appears to be optimal. When ground flax is fed later in the finishing period, research indicates it can reduce backfat levels resulting in improved USDA Yield Grades. Feeding flax to cattle appears to affect fat deposition, with the repartition of fat favoring intramuscular or marbling versus seam and backfat. No intake depression. Getting energy dense diets into stressed feeder calves during the receiving phase can be a real challenge. Ground flaxseed is a valuable source of omega 3 fatty acids, protein and energy and can replace other costly ingredients such as tallow and soybean meal. Adding a pound per head per day of ground flaxseed to receiving rations doesn t depress intake the way adding other sources of fat to diets often can. Indeed, research to date indicates that ground flaxseed actually improves intake, particularly during that critical first week after arrival. Jump-start performance. Typical improvements in gain (.1 to.2 lb. a day) and feed efficiency (5%) during the receiving phase generate immediate payback making ground flaxseed an exceptional value in backgrounding and starter rations. A natural anti-inflammatory. Flaxseed contains components that appear to reduce many pro-inflammatory processes that can affect cattle health. The health improvement in stressed feeder cattle has been documented in a better response to antibiotic therapy and reduced re-treatment rates during the receiving phase. This research was partially funded by flax dollars from the voluntary flax checkoff program administered by the North Dakota Oilseed Council (NDOC). The financial grant resulted from a cooperative agreement between the Plant Science Department at North Dakota State University, the NDOC and Kansas State University. The objective of North Dakota flax producers is to develop significant new markets for flaxseed from North Dakota.

2 Flax Economics Superior Feed. The energy, protein and fiber content of flaxseed makes it a superior feed, but one hard to compare to other feedstuffs because it has benefits like no other. At $6 to $7 a bushel before shipping and processing, flax isn t a cheap source of protein. Yet no other protein source can deliver similar health benefits coupled with a substantial carcass value increase. Likewise, tallow is a comparable ingredient to increase energy density in cattle diets, but unlike the good fats in flaxseed, tallow often depresses intake, particularly on young cattle. And, unlike tallow, flaxseed is a plant-based source of oil. For health, performance and carcass value without intake suppression, flaxseed is a natural choice. Higher Carcass Value. Flaxseed is comparably priced with alternative sources of protein and fat, but delivers the additional bonus of higher carcass value. The type of cattle fed and their baseline carcass performance will influence the amount of improvement in quality grade. Improvements in carcass quality alone can generate an extra $6 to $18 per head (based on an $8/cwt. Choice/Select spread). The chart below depicts results from several flax feeding trials at Kansas State University. Feeding ground flaxseed to a set of beef breed calves more than doubled the number of cattle grading USDA Choice or better (from 30% to 60%). At the other end of the spectrum, a set of flax-fed Holstein steers graded 78% Choice compared to 68% in their control group. Carcass value was further enhanced in this trial because flaxseed eliminated heavily discounted USDA Standard grade carcasses compared with 5% Standards in the control group. A Higher Percentage of USDA Choice and USDA Prime carcasses Receiving Ration Efficiencies. Feeding about one pound of ground flaxseed per head per day delivers cost-effective advantages in gain (typically.1 to.2 lb. per day) and feed efficiency (5%) in starter rations. Coupled with health benefits of better antibiotic treatment response and reduced re-treatment rates, flaxseed in receiving rations generates immediate payback. Improvements in carcass value are a bonus. Black Bottom Line. Delivery of flaxseed from Northern Plains states such as North Dakota where it is grown to the Central Plains can add $1 per bushel to the cost of flaxseed. Flaxseed must be ground to unlock the nutritional value behind its hard, shiny seed coat and processing can add another 30- to 60- cents per bushel. Flaxseed is comparably priced with alternative sources of protein and fat, but it delivers incomparable value. NOTE: WHEN ADDED TO FINISHING RATIONS, FLAXSEED SHOULD BE FED WITH NORMAL LEVELS OF VITAMIN E TO PRESERVE MEAT COLOR AND SHELF LIFE.

3 Flaxseed Handling Tips Flaxseed may be an old world crop, but it s a new addition to cattle rations. Incorporating this natural source of omega 3 fatty acids into growing, receiving or finishing diets can go smoothly when the physical and nutritional properties of flaxseed are considered and understood. Store flaxseed whole. Flaxseed is about 42% oil and 23% protein with NE m of 1.28 mcal/lb. and NE g of.89 mcal/lb. and a TDN of 110% (based on 100% drymatter). The hard, shiny seedcoat can protect its considerable nutritional quality for several seasons. Whole flaxseed has an angle of repose of just 25 degrees. This coupled with the seed s small size and slickness cause it to flow like water. Make sure any storage bins are carefully caulked or otherwise sealed against leaks. Flaxseed s hard, shiny seedcoat must be ruptured to unlock its substantial feed value. Processing is required. Flaxseed s hard, shiny seedcoat must be ruptured to unlock its substantial feed value. Processing and handling research has determined that whole flax can be processed using a hammermill or a rollermill. In most situations, a quarter-inch hammermill screen is sufficient. Where whole seed passage is a problem, an eighth-inch screen has been used with a reverse fan placed outside of the screen to create enough negative pressure to prevent gumming. If a rollermill is used, try to keep foreign matter to less than 2%. If possible use a two-stage rollermill. Avoid singlestage (cracking) rollermills. Process as needed for ease of handling. Grinding or rolling high oil seeds such as flax can challenge equipment. Bridging can be an issue in storage or when attempting to move material. Processing flaxseed as needed or only a few days ahead of feeding can lessen movement problems. Store processed flax in open, weather-protected bunkers. If bins are used, steep sloping cones or straightwalled bins are preferred. Bottom bin augers should have multi-flight screws (closely spaced spirals) for more efficient movement. Pre-blend when possible. Consider pre-blending whole flaxseed with another ration ingredient prior to grinding to prevent gumming and reduce fines. These premixed portions of the ration can more easily be moved into and out of storage bins, grain legs and feed trucks without the inherent handling issues of a ground high oil product. A surge hopper above the hammermill would sufficiently pre-blend flaxseed with a portion of another ration ingredient (such as corn, cereal grains, soybean meal, dried beet pulp, soy hulls, screenings, peas) before mixing with the rest of the ration. If limestone is a calcium source in the ration, mixing it with ground flaxseed prior to storage offsets the high oil content and improves handling ease. Ample shelf life. Whole flax seed keeps virtually indefinitely but grinding exposes the seed s high oil content to oxidation. Still, researchers found that ground flaxseed has a surprisingly long shelf life, retaining its feed value and freshness for at least six months under normal feeding conditions. Moisture can turn this high oil feed into a slimy mess-weatherproof storage is a must.

4 Flaxseed Nutrient Analysis Provided by AmeriFlax Nutrient Percent Dry Matter % Dry Matter Basis Crude Protein 22.8 Net Energy Maintenance 1.28 Net Energy Gain.89 Total Digestible Nutrients Acid Detergent Fiber 8.0 Ash 3.98 Fat 39.1 Calcium.26 Phosphorous.56 Potassium.84 Magnesium.43 Manganese 65.ppm Sulfur.25

5 Good Facts about Flax An Ageless Reputation for Health. Flax has literally been grown for ages reports trace it back to 3,000 B.C. Even the Greeks and Romans recognized the healing properties of the crop, with rulers requiring their subjects to consume flax. Today, as the benefits of flaxseed become more widely known, flax is enjoying a renaissance of popularity in both human and animal diets. Growing Production. With more than 3 million acres devoted to growing flax in the 1950 s, flax was once a major ingredient in paints until latex was introduced. Flaxseed acres waned until the mid-1990 s when favorable loan rates and recognition of flax as a nutrient-saving rotational crop fueled substantial acreage growth. More than 580,000 acres of flax was planted in 2003 enabling U.S. production of 10.4 million bushels. Flax prefers cooler climates; 94% of domestic flax is grown in North Dakota, with the balance in northeast Montana, northwest Minnesota and northern South Dakota. The EFA s in flaxseed appear to help regulate inflammatory responses crucial to a healthy immune system A Life Essential. Nutritionally, flaxseed is packed with energy (42% fat), protein (23%) and fiber (28%). It is a rich source of essential fatty acids, alpha linolenic acid (ALA) in particular. These essential fatty acids can t be produced by humans or animals and must be provided in the diet. Among other purposes, they appear to help regulate many of the inflammatory processes in the body, thus are crucial to a healthy immune system. Tipping the Good Fat Scale. The essential fatty acids in flax are predominantly omega 3 fatty acids in contrast to the omega 6 fatty acids in most vegetable crops such as corn and soybeans. A proper omega 6 to omega 3 balance is critical for healthy cellular function in both humans and animals. Yet most nutritionists now recognize that the preponderance of vegetable oils in typical western diets and rations have skewed this ratio perhaps dangerously strong on omega 6 s. The ratio of 4:1 to 10:1 of omega 6: omega 3 recommended by many health officials may actually be as high as 20:1 or 30:1 because of current consumption patterns and processing which can deplete omega 3 content from food and feed sources in North America. The Richest Source. Because flax is the richest plant source of omega 3 fatty acids, (48-50% omega 3 content compared with 7% in soybean oil and 1% in corn oil), it can help restore this proper balance rapidly. This is one reason why flax is becoming widely known as a functional ingredient in both human diets and animal rations, generating positive health and performance responses as it swings the essential fatty acid pendulum back toward omega 3 s.