The lambs in our recent experiment were fed on a series of different diets based on a standard finishing diet for either 4 or 7 weeks, with supplements of whole linseed, linseed presscake and a commercial linseed supplement ‘Valomega’. We also used a new source of omega-3 fatty acids, the novel crop Camelina sativa, sometimes called ‘gold of pleasure’. A straight concentrate diet was also included as a control so we can fully determine the effects of each treatment.

Following slaughter of the lambs we’ve taken samples of meat and have been busy analysing results to date. So far things are highly promising; we’ve had chops from each treatment taste-tested by a specialist panel at Manchester Metropolitan University, whose testers reported no significant differences for any of the treatments. Some of the panel even thought that linseed-fed lambs tasted better than the grass-fed animals we’d included in this test as the ‘gold standard’.

We are now running detailed chemical analysis of all the meat samples to confirm that omega-3 levels have been significantly boosted by our supplements with a view to comercialising the most effective treatment in the near future.

Dr. Jim Dimmock
University of Wales Bangor

On the shelves of Tesco in Bangor are an array of eggs of different sizes and descriptions. Comparing like with like, 6 own-brand ‘Value’ eggs cost 46p, ‘barn’ eggs are 68p and free-range eggs 84p. A recent addition to the display is Deans Foods’ ‘Columbus Omega-3’ eggs, yours for a mere £1.39 a half-dozen.

Raising the value of a basic commodity item such as eggs by over 300% is an impressive achievement. In this instance it has been achieved by altering the perception of the product from one with negative health implications (i.e. fat, cholesterol) into something offering a healthy alternative to the consumer.

Work in progress at Bangor is investigating whether we can use these principles to obtain benefits for agriculture in Gwynedd. Deans’ chickens are fed on a diet containing linseed (sometimes also called flaxseed), a very rich source of omega-3 fatty acids, which we have been trialling this year both at Bangor University’s Henfaes Research Centre and on farms throughout Gwynedd. Results from these experiments are very promising, with seed yields frequently exceeding those obtained from the UK’s leading arable areas of around 2.5 tonnes/ha (20 cwt/acre).

Having established that linseed grows well in our environment, we have set up a trial in which groups of hill lambs are being finished for a 4-7 weeks on a carefully controlled series of high omega-3 finishing diets, using locally-grown ‘Sunrise’ linseed from Rhoshirwaun. Groups of these animals will be slaughtered over the next few weeks and their meat analysed to detect any of the desired changes to their fatty acid profile.

If we are successful in developing feeding systems and marketing a superior product, then Deans Foods are showing us that real premiums for Gwynedd lambs may be within our grasp.