Hi-Flax, Boosting Omega-3 in Milk

Nowadays there is a growing trend to purchase healthier foods. Dairy farmers and the Industry are aware of this, and are currently producing milk products with healthier fatty acid profile (containing Omega-3). However, providing animals with unsaturated fatty acids does not ensure their absorption by ruminants, and moreover can lead to milk fat and protein depression, which poses a great challenge. To respond to this situation and help farmers in their difficult task, NOREL has developed Hi-Flax, its new bypass fat, containing Omega-3. Previous in vitro trials confirmed the high level of protection of Omega-3 against rumen biohydrogenation. Now, field trials in commercial farms have confirmed that Hi-Flax is effective to increase the transfer rate of dietary Omega-3 to milk fat (183.19% when compared to extruded linseed). Furthermore, Hi-Flax has a high energy value (ME = 6,335 Kcal/Kg), which has been reflected in an increase of 1.28 liters/cow/day. However, milk protein (%) was not reduced (no dilution effect). This, along with an improvement of the milk fat % (+0.11%, from 3.63 to 3.74) converts Hi-Flax in a powerful tool to adapt to new market trends (healthier products), increase milk price at the farm gate and, presumably will help to increase fertility rates (according to scientific literature). Public health, milk production and quality, foci of the dairy sector, are now also the pillars on which Hi-Flax has been designed!