As certified organic grain prices continue to increase, dairy farmers are interested in finding ways to maintain or improve milk production while reducing feed costs. In the quest to find lower-cost alternatives, there has been increased interest in supplementing pasture-based livestock diets with products like molasses and flaxseed. Molasses can be a source of energy and trace minerals. Flaxseed can also be a source of energy; in addition it is high in omega-3 fatty acids, a plus for animals and humans alike. In this webinar, Dr. Kathy Soder will present results of recent research she and her team have conducted on molasses and flaxseed feeding.
Dr. Soder is an animal scientist at the USDA Agricultural Research Service's (ARS) Pasture Systems and Watershed Management Research Unit in University Park, Pennsylvania. There, she conducts a variety of research projects to evaluate the effects of diverse pasture systems on grazing behavior of ruminants, and how farmers can use these systems to optimize forage and animal productivity. The flaxseed feeding trials are part of a USDA-funded project, "Assisting Organic Dairy Producers to Meet the Demands of New and Emerging Milk Markets."