October 26, 2020
Feeding Co-Extruded Flaxseed to Pigs: Effects of Duration and Feeding Level on Growth Performance and Backfat Fatty Acid Composition of Grow-Finish Pigs
Feeding flaxseed to pigs has been used to increase omega-3 fatty acid levels in pork as flaxseed is the richest oilseed source of omega-3. Health benefits to the consumer may be noted such as reducing risk of disease. Feeding flax co-extruded with field peas may help in avoiding storage and grinding problems found in flaxseed. A flaxseed:field pea blend was used in various levels and durations to see what provided the elevated omega-3 levels in pork fat. By including 15% of flaxseed in the diet, feed efficiency was improved, average daily gain was not impacted and feed intake decreased. The levels required to reach an enrichment claim for omega-3 in Canada were achieved by feeding 10% flaxseed for 8 weeks or 15% for 12 weeks.
