As a way to diversify rations and reduce cost or to alter the final pork product, alternative ingredients for pig diets are often investigated. Flaxseed is of interest as the amount of acreage for flax is increasing so the quantity available will rise. A nutrient profile needs to be completed as well as a graded approach to illustrate its acceptability in pigs. Flaxseed could help produce omega-3 fatty acid enriched pork, develop alternatives to antimicrobial growth promoters and enrich sow diets with essential fatty acids. Five levels of flaxseed were tested on grower pigs and canola oil diets were also included. Over 28 days, a slight decline in growth occurred in the flaxseed groups though this was not statistically significant. Average daily gain declined at the highest level (20%) given. At levels of 10 and 15%, flaxseed can be incorporated into diets without negative effects on feed intake and efficiency as well as average daily gain. Flaxseed can be adapted to better compared to canola oil at high fat levels (7%).
Response of Growing Pigs to Graded Levels of Flaxseed (full article)
