Editing Flax (section)

====Fodder====
After crushing the seeds to extract linseed oil, the resultant linseed meal is a [[protein]]-rich [[Animal feed|feed]] for [[ruminant]]s, [[rabbit]]s, and fish.<ref name=Feedipedia/> It is also often used as feed for [[swine]] and [[poultry]], and has also been used in horse concentrate and [[dog food]].<ref name="Maddock1">{{Cite web |last1=Maddock |first1=Travis D. |last2=Anderson, Vernon L. |last3=Lardy, Greg P. |title=Using Flax in Livestock Diets |url=http://www.ag.ndsu.edu/pubs/ansci/beef/as1283w.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120222030813/http://www.ag.ndsu.edu/pubs/ansci/beef/as1283w.htm |archive-date=22 February 2012 |publisher=North Dakota State University |pages=53–62}}</ref> The high omega-3 fatty acid ([[alpha-linolenic acid|ALA]]) content of linseed meal "softens" milk, eggs, and meat, which means it causes a higher [[unsaturated fat]] content and thus lowers its storage time.<ref name=Feedipedia/> The high omega-3 content also has a further disadvantage, because this fatty acid [[oxidise]]s and goes [[Rancidification|rancid]] quickly, which shortens the storage time. [[Linola]] was developed in Australia and introduced in the 1990s with less omega-3, specifically to serve as [[fodder]].<ref name="CRS" /><ref name="Dribnenkil1995">{{Cite journal |last=J. C. P. Dribnenkil and A. G. Green |year=1995 |title=Linola '947' low linolenic acid flax |journal=Canadian Journal of Plant Science |volume=75 |issue=1 |pages=201–202 |doi=10.4141/cjps95-036 |doi-access=free}}</ref> Another disadvantage of the meal and seed is that it contains a [[vitamin B6]] ([[pyridoxine]]) antagonist, and may require this vitamin be supplemented, especially in [[chicken]]s, and furthermore linseeds contain 2–7% of [[mucilage]] (fibre), which may be beneficial in humans<ref name=Feedipedia/> and cattle,<ref name=Maddock1/> but cannot be digested by non-ruminants and can be detrimental to young animals, unless possibly treated with [[enzyme]]s.<ref name=Feedipedia/>

Linseed meal is added to [[Cattle feeding|cattle feed]] as a protein [[Dietary supplement|supplement]]. It can only be added at low percentages due to the high fat content, which is unhealthy for ruminants.<ref name=Maddock1/> Compared to oilseed meal from [[Brassicaceae|crucifers]] it measures as having lower nutrient values,<ref name=Feedipedia/> however, good results are obtained in cattle, perhaps due to the mucilage, which may aid in slowing digestion and thus allowing more time to absorb nutrients.<ref name=Feedipedia/><ref name=Maddock1/> One study found that feeding flax seeds may increase omega-3 content in [[beef]], while another found no differences. It might also act as a substitute for [[tallow]] in increasing [[marbled meat|marbling]].<ref name=Maddock1/><ref name="Maddock2">{{Cite journal |last1=Maddock |first1=T. D. |last2=Bauer |first2=M. L. |last3=Koch |first3=K. B. |last4=Anderson |first4=V. L. |last5=Maddock |first5=R. J. |last6=Barceló-Coblijn |first6=G. |last7=Murphy |first7=E. J. |last8=Lardy |first8=G. P. |date=1 June 2006 |title=Effect of processing flax in beef feedlot diets on performance, carcass characteristics, and trained sensory panel ratings1 |journal=Journal of Animal Science |volume=84 |issue=6 |pages=1544–1551 |doi=10.2527/2006.8461544x |pmid=16699112}}</ref> In the US, flax-based feed for ruminants is often somewhat more expensive than other feeds on a nutrient basis.<ref name="Lardy2015">{{Cite report |url=https://www.ag.ndsu.edu/publications/livestock/alternative-feeds-for-ruminants/as1182.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/https://www.ag.ndsu.edu/publications/livestock/alternative-feeds-for-ruminants/as1182.pdf |archive-date=2022-10-09 |url-status=live |title=Alternative feeds for ruminants |last1=Lardy |first1=Greg P. |last2=Anderson |first2=Vern L. |date=October 2015 |publisher=[[North Dakota State University]] Extension Service |pages=9, 20 |docket=AS1182 (Revised) |last3=Dahlen |first3=Carl |access-date=4 October 2019}}</ref> [[Sheep]] feeding on low quality [[forage]] are able to eat a large amount of linseed meal, up to 40% in one test, with positive consequences. It has been fed as a supplement to [[water buffaloes]] in India and provided a better diet than forage alone, but not as good as when substituted with [[soybean|soy]] meal. It is considered an inferior protein supplement for swine because of its fibre, vitamin antagonist, high omega-3 content, and its low lysine content, and can only be used in small amounts in the feed. Although it may increase the omega-3 content in eggs and meat, it is also an inferior and potentially toxic feed for poultry, although it can be used in small amounts. The meal is an adequate and traditional source of protein for rabbits at 8–10%. Its use in fish feeds is limited.<ref name=Feedipedia/>

Raw, immature linseeds contain an amount of [[cyanogenic]] compounds and can be dangerous for [[monogastric]] animals, like horses and rabbits. Boiling removes the danger. This is not an issue in meal cake due to the processing temperature during oil extraction.<ref name=Feedipedia/><ref name=Lardy2015/>

Flax [[straw]] left over from the harvesting of oilseed is not very nutritious; it is tough and indigestible and is not recommended for use as ruminant fodder, although it may be used as bedding or [[baler|baled]] as [[windbreak]]s.<ref name=Lardy2015/>