OMEGA-3 FATTY ACID ENHANCED FEED EFFECTS ON GROWTH AND ACID LEVELS IN MARKET-AGE SMALL SCALE UTAH TURKEY FLOCKS
Dallin, J.1; Pace, M.2; Hadfield, J.3; Ward, R.4; Greenhalgh, L.5; Sulser, A.6; Smith, J.7; Hadfield, J.M.8; Bingeman, B.91Extension Faculty- Box Elder County, Utah State University, Brigham City, UT, 84302
2Extension Faculty- Box Elder County, Utah State University, Brigham City, UT, 84302
3Extension Faculty- Cache County, Utah State University, Logan, UT, 84322
4Food and Nutrition Specialist, Utah State University, Logan, UT, 84322
5Extension Faculty- Tooele County, Utah State University, Tooele, UT, 84074
6Extension Faculty- Wasatch County, Utah State University, Heber, UT, 84032
7Extension Agriculture and Natural Resource Director, Utah State University, Kaysville, UT, 84037
8Extension 4-H Livestock Specialist, Utah State University, Logan, UT, 84322
9Extension Faculty- Davis County, Utah State University, Kaysville, UT, 84037
Abstract:
Each year more than five million turkeys are raised commercially in the State of Utah resulting in over ninety million pounds of turkey that goes into the Market. Based on an expressed market demand for healthier perceived Omega-3 fatty acid enhanced products, in this study we focused on the addition of flax seed, an omega-3 fatty acid enhanced feedstuff, and its effects to the diets of research turkeys. Our research compared the average daily gain, carcass dressing percentages, and intramuscular and external fatty acid levels of 200 flax feed additive research toms versus 200 standard control toms fed the same feed with no flax additive. Although research toms fed the flax additive weighed in slightly higher across the research period than the control toms, results showed no significant difference in average daily between the research and control pens. Cutting edge results were provided as birds were weighed live just before harvesting and then immediately had a hot carcass weight taken. This practice gave us pinpointed results on true dressing percentages. For the group the average dressing percentage totaled 78.76%. In regards to the acid levels, preliminary results of the study have shown that percentages of omega-3 fatty acids present in the turkey meat and adipose tissue were statistically significant in comparison to the control pen that received no flax feedstuffs. The overall findings from this research will allow for the team to assist in educating and making significant impacts for many large and small scale turkey producers throughout the State.