The Department of Health has recommended an increase in the intake of omega – 3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), because they are thought to be beneficial to human health, especially in lowering risks of coronary heart disease. Unfortunately, lamb, along with beef and dairy products, is characteristically low in PUFA and has been linked to today’s cardiovascular and other lifestyle diseases.

Research into ways of improving the fatty acid profile of lamb to provide for the needs of the increasingly health conscious marketplace is one of the most exciting investigations by MENTERRA at University of Wales Bangor (UWB) Research Centre at Henfaes. Previous work has shown that feeding concentrated sources of omega-3 fatty acids to cattle; pigs and chickens can result in these essential fatty acids being incorporated into meat, milk and eggs. Little is known about effects on lamb production, so MENTERRA’s work will focus on optimising systems to provide a new lease of life for this essential enterprise of Gwynedd’s agricultural economy.

A further boost to local farming will be gained by enabling farmers in Gwynedd to supply a highly concentrated source of natural omega-3 fatty acids to supply this work and relevant crops are being trialled. MENTERRA staff at UWB are also conducting a series of field experiments at Henfaes and other sites in Gwynedd, to assess which crop varieties are best suited to our climate, both in terms of yield and in ALA content.

Success in both objectives will provide us with the opportunity to market premium branded products with superior characteristics to the competition, including health benefits and traceable, locally sourced feed.