Our experience of feeding  8% ground flax seed for 90 days to our cattle prior to harvest has resulted in not only an increase in the meat's omega-3 content, but has improved our overall herd health.  Our flax fed cattle have shown no signs of pinkeye while a commercial herd across an electric fence suffer from pinkeye outbreaks each summer.

                          "Current research at Kansas State University is providing increasing evidence
                            that adding flax seed to cattle diets dramatically improves carcass value,
                            strengthens the calf's natural immunities and may enhance the fatty acid profile
                            of beef."

More recently, studies conducted by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada scientists have added another layer of benefits to feeding flax.  As reported by Debbie Furber in AgCanada.com the naturally occurring digestive process of bovine convert flax into rumenic and vaccenic acid, the most common forms of CLA (conjugated linoleic acid).

The level of rumenic acid was three to four times higher and the level of vaccenic acid was seven to nine times higher in the beef from the flax-fed heifers compared to beef from the control group that received a conventional feedlot ration.

Rumenic acid is known for its anticancer properties while early indications are that vaccenic acid “may reduce  triglycerides, LDL cholesterol, and total cholesterol in the bloodstream.”

Our business  model of providing a healthy beef product from healthy cattle is reinforced by these studies.  We believe flax-fed beef  has a special place in today’s health conscious  diets.