Canada, or more specifically Western Canada, is the largest producer of flaxseed in the world, producing over 0.9 million tonnes last year.  Almost 75 % of the crop will be exported, more than 60 % going to Belgium. Flaxseed possesses properties which make it unique as a feed ingredient for swine. One of its nutritional attributes is, of course, the oil (also called linseed oil) which is rich in omega-3 fatty acids.  Flaxseed contains 41% oil and the oil contains 57 % omega-3 fatty acids (primarily alpha linolenic acid or ALA) making it the richest plant-based source of ALA.

Prairie Swine Centre, in collaboration with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Lacombe Research Centre, the University of Alberta and the University of Saskatchewan, has conducted a series of experiments examining the use of flaxseed as an ingredient in swine diets. The overall objective of these series of experiments was to develop low-cost feeding protocols which will result in a consistent enrichment of the carcass with ALA without compromising growth or carcass quality.

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