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Feeding flax to improve health, beef benefits
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| Photo courtesy Don Mayse Missouri producer Don Mayse has been feeding flaxseed to a large portion of his purebred Shorthorn operation for about two years. Mayse believes the health of his herd as improved because of the flaxseed. He is also able to offer customers what he says is healthier beef. |
Finding a field of flax in Iowa is often futile but one Missouri beef producer says it’s well worth the effort.
Don Mayse, who owns and operates Sho-Me Farms near Wentzville, Mo., says feeding flaxseed meal has helped improve his cattle’s health. The increased omega-3 fatty acids help create healthier beef for his customers, he adds.
“In this part of the country, we have two endemic health problems for our cattle. One is pinkeye and the other is foot rot,” Mayse says.
“Since we started incorporating flax seed into our steer diets two years ago, we have not had one case of pinkeye or foot rot.”
Flax contains about 20 percent alpha-linolenic acid, an essential omega-3 fatty acid that can lead to the production of eicosanoids, a hormone-like compound that affects immune response.
By feeding flaxseed meal to animals, researchers believe it can create a healthier meat product for human consumption.
Mayse says flaxseed meal is high in antioxidants, and he believes that is the reason for the boost in animal health. He is now feeding some flax seed to his replacement heifers and bulls, although at different levels than to his steers.
Mayse says he read research a few years ago that said feeding flaxseed meal also could boost beef taste and tenderness.
“We run a purebred Shorthorn heard, and we also have a beef business, selling out of our own store as well as into the retail, health food and restaurant industry,” he says.
“We were intrigued about it, so we did a test run. While we haven’t seen the carcass quality improve, the side benefits make feeding the flax seed worth the expense.”
His beef is marketed under the Sho-Me Farms Born Tender Beef. Mayse’s Web site is www.shomefarms.com.
Because his cattle are healthier, Mayse says antibiotic use is lower. He is able to market his beef that way, as well as being hormone and steroid free.
“Our cattle usually grade Choice, so that may be why we haven’t seen the carcass results that others might,” he says.
Since North Dakota produces more flax than any other state, feeding flaxseed meal is more common there, says Greg Lardy, Extension beef specialist at North Dakota State University.
After the flax is crushed to produce linseed oil, Lardy says the flax seed by-product is used in livestock diets, mostly as a protein supplement.
“Generally, it is used by the dairy industry with some use in beef feedlots,” he says. “It has higher protein and energy levels than corn.”
Lardy says most producers will use no more than 10 percent flaxseed meal in a ration. Because the fat content is high, he says flaxseed meal is usually limited to no more than 5 percent dry matter.
Some research has been done on feeding flaxseed meal to hogs, Lardy adds. Although the added oil could knock down dust, he says the unsaturated fatty acids could affect pork quality.
“At room temperature or even refrigerated, you can get bacon that just isn’t firm enough,” Lardy says.
In a dairy operation, feeding flaxseed meal can change the fatty acid composition of milk. Lardy says some research indicates dairy cows fed flaxseed meal were able to produce milk higher in protein.
Real results, he says, also could come in feedlot cattle.
“We need to know how much Omega-3 we can get into the beef,” Lardy says.
“We are seeing some change in muscle tissue, so perhaps we can create a more tender product as well as a healthier one.”
He says most North Dakota producers get their flaxseed meal from crushing plants. The price of the product has dropped in recent months as the state recovers from a virtual crop failure during this past winter, Lardy notes.
Mayse says feeding flaxseed meal is more expensive than using the traditional corn-based ration, but adds the extra cost is worth it because he is able to sell a better product.
He also grew up in the meat business and works the processing line every Wednesday for his own operation.
“I’m right there working on the carcasses as they come in, so I feel like I have a very hands-on approach and idea as to carcass quality,” Mayse says.
“I believe it is influenced greatly by genetics, but I believe tenderness is not only affected by genetics, but also stress and the environment around the cattle.
“And, while I’m not sure the flax seed is having any effect on the carcass quality, I know our cattle are healthier, and I know we are offering a very healthy product for to customers.
“It’s working very well for us, not only in our finishing cattle, but the rest of our herd as well.”