Until recently, Omega-3 fatty acids
were only used on a limited basis in animal agriculture. The trend
toward increased usage of Omega-3 fatty acids is growing due to
proof of its beneficial impact on animal agriculture. Research
trials show positive effects of Omega-3 fatty acids on immune
response, reproductive efficiency, and growth performance of
livestock.
Omega-3 fatty acids for use in animal agriculture primarily
originate from either flax- or fish-derived sources. Flax is an
excellent source of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA; 18:3), while fish
provides predominantly eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA; 20:5) and
docosahexaenoic acid (DHA; 22:6). Research at the University of
Arkansas reported fish oil supplementation to growing beef cattle
improved animal health. Currently, fish oil is not widely used in
the cattle industry due to handling difficulties, poor animal
acceptance, and less expensive alternative energy sources. Flax or
linseed oil has been reported to increase circulating
concentrations of Omega-3 fatty acids. Research at Kansas State
University reported the use of 4% linseed oil versus tallow in
receiving diets resulted in improved dry matter intake (DMI) and
average daily gain (ADG) the first eight days of the trial,
reduced re-treatments for respiratory disease, and lowered rectal
temperature in response to an endotoxin challenge.
ADM Alliance Nutrition research trials with arrival and growing
cattle have been conducted to compare control, corn oil, fish oil,
and linseed (flax) oil treatments for effects on performance and
health response (Table 1). Through day seven, ADG tended to be
greater for calves fed linseed oil compared to those fed fish oil.
Cumulative ADG was not different, but numerically favored calves
fed linseed oil. Dry matter intake was greater for calves fed
linseed oil when compared to control or other lipid sources. No
differences were observed in cumulative efficiency. In this trial,
calves fed linseed oil had a zero incidence of morbidity. The data
shows linseed oil has positive effects on period and cumulative
ADG and DMI by approximately 9% compared to controls. Linseed oil
is a suitable source of Omega-3 fatty acids and can be utilized
for its favorable impact on performance and health status of
growing cattle.
Table 1 Effect of Oil Source
on Cattle Performance
|
|
Treatment |
No Fat |
Basal
+ |
Basal
+ |
Basal
+ |
|
Description |
Control |
2%
Corn Oil |
2%
Fish Oil |
2%
Flax Oil |
Average Daily Gain, lb/hd/day
|
|
Day 1-6 |
4.66 |
3.96 |
3.63 |
3.67 |
|
Day
7-13 |
3.85 |
4.02 |
3.37 |
4.55 |
|
Day
14-34 |
1.32 |
1.72 |
1.85 |
1.76 |
|
Day
1-34 |
2.44 |
2.60 |
2.46 |
2.66 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dry Matter Intake, lb/hd/day
|
|
Day 1-6 |
8.73 |
8.95 |
8.88 |
9.02 |
|
Day
7-13 |
13.64 |
14.17 |
13.31 |
14.59 |
|
Day
14-34 |
15.20 |
15.20 |
14.92 |
16.78 |
|
Day
1-34 |
13.73 |
13.88 |
13.53 |
14.96 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gain/Feed, x 100
|
|
Day 1-6 |
52.90 |
44.00 |
41.05 |
40.42 |
|
Day
7-13 |
27.76 |
28.18 |
24.93 |
31.07 |
|
Day
14-34 |
8.80 |
11.17 |
12.33 |
10.49 |
|
Day
1-34 |
17.69 |
18.52 |
18.27 |
17.83 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Health Analysis
|
|
Mortality, % |
0.00 |
0.00 |
2.50 |
0.00 |
|
Morbidity, % |
|
|
|
|
|
Treated |
5.00 |
5.00 |
5.00 |
0.00 |
|
Retreated |
2.50 |
5.00 |
2.50 |
0.00 |
ADM Alliance Nutrition research trial B06102
|
Another ADM Alliance Nutrition trial
was conducted to determine the optimum inclusion level of linseed
oil to elicit positive performance and/or health responses due to
availability of Omega-3 fatty acids. In this trial (Table 2), two
titrated levels of linseed oil (low and high) plus a control were
used in two different arrival products (Stressfighter and Super
Stressfighter) for a total of six treatments. Arrival products
were fed for 13 days and/or a common corn silage-based grower diet
was fed starting on day three. Calves fed Stressfighter with
linseed oil tended to have greater ADG through day seven. On day
13, steers fed arrival feeds with low linseed oil had the greatest
ADG for both Stressfighter (22.1% improvement) and Super
Stressfighter (8.9% improvement) formulations. Steers fed the low
linseed oil treatment also responded with better feed efficiency –
improvements of 21.8% for Stressfighter and 7.6% for Super
Stressfighter
Due to better performance, Stressfighter with low added linseed
oil had a lower cost of gain compared to Stressfighter or Super
Stressfighter controls ($0.305/lb versus $0.350/lb and $0.323/lb,
respectively). The responses observed in these two ADM Alliance
Nutrition research trials were obtained in pre-conditioned cattle
in good health status. Results may be magnified when linseed oil
is used in the diets of high-risk cattle.
Based on data obtained in ADM Alliance Nutrition research trials,
it appears linseed oil at a low inclusion level in arrival
products provides the best performance response for starting
calves. A greater response was observed with Stressfighter
formulas without other functional ingredients. Omega-3 fatty acids
formulations utilizing linseed oil has merit for pre-weaning,
arrival, and/or other products fed to cattle in high-stress
situations.
Table 2 Effect of Percentage of Linseed Oil on Cattle
Performance
|
|
|
Stressfighter |
Stressfighter |
Stressfighter |
Super
Stressfighter |
Super
Stressfighter |
Super
Stressfighter |
|
Linseed
Oil, % |
0 |
3 |
6 |
0 |
3 |
6 |
|
Treatment
# |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
|
Average
Daily Gain, lb/hd/day |
|
Day 1-6 |
2.38 |
2.95 |
3.26 |
3.70 |
3.26 |
3.08 |
|
Day 7-13 |
3.34 |
4.00 |
2.86 |
2.79 |
3.70 |
3.08 |
|
Day 1-13 |
2.88 |
3.52 |
3.04 |
3.21 |
3.50 |
3.08 |
|
Day 14-34 |
1.41 |
0.77 |
1.21 |
0.97 |
1.08 |
1.19 |
|
Day 1-34 |
1.98 |
1.83 |
1.91 |
1.83 |
2.00 |
1.91 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dry
Matter Intake, lb/hd/day |
|
Day 1-6 |
9.22 |
9.20 |
9.04 |
9.15 |
9.24 |
9.17 |
|
Day 7-13 |
13.73 |
13.75 |
13.71 |
13.60 |
13.73 |
13.79 |
|
Day 1-13 |
11.66 |
11.57 |
11.57 |
11.55 |
11.66 |
11.60 |
|
Day 14-34 |
13.90 |
14.19 |
14.19 |
14.15 |
14.59 |
14.52 |
|
Day 1-34 |
13.05 |
13.18 |
13.18 |
13.16 |
13.46 |
13.44 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gain/Feed, x 100 |
|
Day 1-6 |
25.71 |
31.97 |
35.91 |
40.43 |
35.16 |
33.66 |
|
Day 7-13 |
24.28 |
29.13 |
