BOCM PAULS predicts revolution in ruminant nutrition via new linseed based raw material

Ruminant feeding in the UK is set to be revolutionised by the widespread uptake this winter of a  new linseed based raw material, called Lintec, believes leading feed compounder BOCM PAULS.

Six months of comprehensive on-farm assessment work on over 50 units has shown that the product increases milk yield, fertility levels and cow health. Other studies have shown that Lintec has a positive effect on saturated fat levels in the milk and also helps to reduce methane levels. The combination of the zootechnical gains, milk quality (less saturated fat) advantages and environmental benefits are such that BOCM PAULS believes the unique new product is ?arguably the best raw material around for feeding cows?.

The reason Lintec works so well is that the linseed variety has been bred to have extremely high levels of Omega 3 (alpha linolenic acid), which has a positive impact on animal well-being.  The only other dairy feed high in Omega 3 is spring grass, but a cow needs to eat significantly less Lintec than spring grass in order to get the same level of Omega 3 intake.

The new product differs significantly from other linseed raw materials because it is derived using a new, patented thermo extrusion process, developed by Valorex. This process releases far more of the linseed oil, and also protects part of the oil, protein and starch from degradation in the rumen. In terms of nutrient content Lintec has 26% oil, 17.3 MJ/kg ME and contains 18% protein. Lintec can be fed as a straight, included in compound feeds and  in blends.

Where Lintec has been rationed correctly ? which, crucially, means formulating with other raw materials in mind - typical milk yield increases on the studied farms have been between 1.5 to over 2.5 litres per cow day ? even on very high yielding cows. Improvements in fertility have also been reported, with one farm seeing conception rates increasing from 40- 45% to 80-85%, and holding, after the product was introduced. This is because Omega 3 is known to have a positive effect on fertility.

Several farmers also report improvements in cow condition (?they shine more?) and health. This was particularly noticeable after the bad winter, reported BOCM PAULS technical specialists. The reasons for this are largely due to the product?s high oil content conditioning the rumen. Scientific studies have shown that the rumen wall becomes more supple and permeable when Lintec is fed, allowing more acid to pass through it and thus reducing the incidence of acidosis. Omega 3 also improves liver function around calving, with less mobilised fat accumulating in the liver.

Saturated fat levels in the milk are reduced because the fat precursors are altered to naturally produce less saturated fat in both the rumen and the udder. The product is also capable of reducing methane by up to 10% due to the capturing of rumen hydrogen ions and the natural inhibition of methane producing bacteria within the rumen.

Lintec cannot, however, simply be added to the diet without assessing other raw materials ? hence the specific use of the term ?formulate with other raw materials in mind?.  This is because some raw materials and diet constituents are ?incompatible? with Lintec and can neutralise the Omega 3 within it. The technical measurement of Omega 3 efficiency is what?s known as an IT3 value.  Lintec has a positive IT3 value of 90, while sunflower seed has one of -100. Rationing both of them together results in a negative value, and Lintec will have no effect on the animals whatsoever, explains   BOCM PAULS National Ruminant Development Manager, Wyn Morris.  Consequently the Company has now included the facility to ration cows with Omega 3 in mind through its Dietplan rationing programme. It is also training its technical specialists accordingly via one of the biggest training programs the company has rolled out to its sales force in decades.

Provided the diet is formulated correctly then significant cost benefits are being generated on the back of the yield and fertility improvements. For example one 145 cow unit had milk sales of just under 110,000 litres in one month and an income of £26388. After including the Lintec at the start of the next month milk sales jumped to 122,000 litres and a value of £29300. This gave a total gain of £2912. Half a kilo of Lintec per cow per day, over 150 cows and at £600 per tonne, would cost £1350, giving a net margin for the month of £1562. Similar results are being reported on many other farms ? be they high or low yields, and fed predominantly on grass silage or maize silage. 

But not only is the new product good for livestock farmers, it also heralds a new market for arable farmers in the UK too. Recent increases in the acreage of linseed contracted by Premium Crops is a good indicator of the growing interest in this crop.

If the uptake of the product is as good as BOCM PAULS expects the acreage of linseed grown would need to expand by 35%. Currently the linseed is being grown in the UK, and shipped to France for processing by Valorex, before being reimported. However BOCM PAULS will shortly be considering manufacturing in the UK, thus saving on transport costs and supporting British agriculture. This will  also allow BOCM PAULS to process Lintec for not only it?s own customers, but for competitor compounders too ? thus making the product available across the whole dairy supply chain

?This product is bigger than just BOCM PAULS,? says David Forbes, BOCM PAULS Ruminant Marketing Manager. ?It is good for the farmers financially, good for health and welfare of the animals, good for the consumer because it helps reduce saturated fat levels, which is what The Food Standards Agency has asked the industry to do, and is good for the environment because it also reduces methane  emissions. We think that if the industry embraces this product, learns how to ration with it correctly, then ruminant nutrition will be revolutionised.?