Linseed Meal

A field of linseed

  • Linseed or flax is an oilseed crop grown for oil. The seed is crushed to release the linseed oil via expelling or extraction for industrial applications.  

  • Various parts of the plant have been used to make fabric, dye, paper, medicines, fishing nets, hair gels, and soap.

  • The linseed (flaxseed) meal is then made available as animal feed.

  • Linseed can be included in all ruminant diets whether in a concentrate, in a complete diet, mix as a protein supplement or as a straight.

Key Features

· High in protein and oil.

· Good free flowing pellets, flakes or lozenges.

· Very good for blending with other raw materials

· Excellent Palatability

· Well respected feed ingredient

Linseed analysis on a dry matter basis (%):

linseeds

Protein

Oil

Fibre

Ash

Metabolisable energy (ME) (Mega joules/kg dry matter)

Dry Matter (%)

36

8

10.5

7

12.8

90

Where is it grown?

  • Mainly Canada (~34%) and China (~25.5%), though there is also production in India (~9%), USA (~8%), Ethiopia (~3.5%) and throughout Europe (e.g. France). 

  • Almost all of the United States crop is from the states of North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, and Montana.

  • It the UK it is mainly imported now, and supply can be variable.

Limits to Usage

  • Because of its high oil content storage of linseed on farm should be limited to no more than 3 months.

    Linseed meal

Storage 

  • Linseed expellers should as with other dry straights be stored in cool, dry conditions. 

  • Linseed meal is be stored and transported in compliance with UFAS code of practice.