METHOD OF INCREASING LEVELS OF OMEGA-3 FATTY ACIDS IN BEEF PRODUCTS BY ADMINISTRATION OF A GRASS AND ALGAE DIET

Abstract

A method for increasing the levels of omega-3 fatty acids (“omega-3s”), particularly docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic/icosapentaenoic acid (EPA), in beef products by feeding cattle a diet containing grass as the primary ingredient supplemented with whole algae high in omega-3s. A method of increasing the levels of omega-3s in beef comprising feeding beef animals a daily food ration comprising grass and whole algae.

Claims

1. A method of increasing the levels of omega-3s in beef comprising feeding beef animals a daily food ration comprising grass and whole algae.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the beef animals comprise beef cattle.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the grass comprises more than 70% by weight of the daily food ration.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the algae is Schizochytrium.

5. The method of claim 1 further comprising feeding the beef animals between about 0.1 and 3.0 pounds per day of algae.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the grass is fed by grazing or baling or as silage.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the food ration is designed to provide a pH in the rumen of between 5.6 and 7.0.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the food ration comprises less than 9% total fat.

9. The method of claim 1 further comprising feeding the beef animals one or more additional feeds as a finishing ration before slaughter.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein the algae comprises Nannochloropsis.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] FIG. 1 is a graph showing the average weekly dry material intake (DMI) (pounds (lbs) per head per day) of cattle fed a diet of grass supplemented with 1 pound of algae per day (weeks 0-6), 1 pound or greater of algae per day (week 7) or 2 pounds of algae per day (weeks 8-9).

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] It has now been discovered that a diet comprising grass supplemented with whole algae, e.g., Schizochytrium or Nannochloropsis, is effective for feeding cattle. Such a diet allows for the production of grass fed beef high in omega-3s, simultaneously addressing two independent consumer demands. It has been discovered that cattle fed with this diet are able to consume more whole algae and thereby produce a beef product containing higher levels of omega-3s than cattle fed using existing methods for increasing levels of omega-3s in beef (i.e., cattle fed whole algae under typical feedlot conditions). Thus, not only does administration of the novel grass and algae diet allow for the production of grass fed beef, the grass fed beef produced is superior to prior art beef high in omega-3s in terms of omega-3 content.

[0012] If the cattle are fed only grass, which would entail less than about 2% fat on a 17-25 pound dry matter basis, the cattle will be able to eat more algae with the grass and thereby produce beef containing higher levels of omega-3s. Grass typically contains about 2.0% fat. For example, if the average cow or steer consumes 20 pounds of grass per day (measured as dry material) and if grass on the average contains 2% fat, the cow/steer will have consumed 0.4 pounds of fat. If the cow/steer's total fat intake is limited to approximately 8% of total feed intake per day, this would allow the cow/steer to consume a total of 1.6 pounds of fat per day. An all grass/hay diet contains 0.4 pounds of fat, as described above, leaving an additional 1.2 pounds of fat to be added in the algae. If the algae contains about 60% fat, then feeding the cow/steer 2 pounds of algae will result in the cow/steer consuming 1.2 pounds of fat. Thus, feeding a cow/steer 2 pounds of algae plus 20 pounds of grass per day will result in the cow/steer consuming a total of about 1.6 pounds of fat per day (i.e., the approximate maximum limit).

[0013] As another example, some grasses contain only about 1.8% fat, and some cows/steers consume 25 pounds of food per day (measured as dry material). In this case, 8% of 25 pounds of grass is 2 pounds of fat as the daily limit. If the type of grass consumed is 1.8% fat, then the cow/steer will be consuming 0.45 pounds of fat in the grass, leaving 1.55 pounds of fat to be added in the algae. If the algae contains about 60% fat, and if 2.58 pounds of algae are fed daily, the cow/steer will be eating 1.55 pounds of fat from algae plus 0.45 pounds of fat from the grass, or exactly 2.0 pounds of fat (i.e., the approximate maximum limit in this case). Thus, cattle can easily eat 2 to 3 pounds of algae daily, depending on the total amount eaten by the cow/steer, and the percentage of fat in the grass (as well as the percentage of the fat in the algae).

[0014] FIG. 1 shows that cattle fed a diet of grass supplemented with a high amount of algae (1 pound or greater, e.g., 2 pounds, per day) are able to maintain a constant amount of feed intake (expressed as dry material intake (DMI)) daily over several (e.g., 9) weeks before slaughter. Cattle were fed a diet of grass supplemented with 1 pound of algae per day in weeks 0-6, and then double the amount (i.e., 2 pounds of algae per day) in weeks 8-9. During week 7 (i.e., the third week before the end of the test), the amount of algae in the diet was gradually increased from 1 pound per day (as in the diet in weeks 0-6) to 2 pounds per day (as in the diet in weeks 8-9). As FIG. 1 shows, the average DMI remained generally constant and did not decrease when the amount of algae in the diet was doubled (from 1 pound per day to 2 pounds per day). Further, the grass fed beef from this experiment was found to contain high levels of omega-3s. The grass fed beef from this experiment contained an average of 63 mg of EPA and DHA per 113 g of meat (ground beef).

[0015] In comparison, an article by Smith (Grass-Fed Vs. Grain-Fed Ground Beef—No Difference In Healthfulness, available at http://beefmagazine.com/beef-quality/grass-fed-vs-grain-fed-ground-beef-no-difference-healthfulness) has shown that regular beef (corn-fed) contains approximately 5 mg of DHA plus EPA per 100 g, and regular grass fed beef (without algae) contains approximately 10 mg of DHA plus EPA per 100 g. Both of these are medically insignificant amounts: Mozaffarian et al. (Plasma Phospholipid Long-Chain ω-3 Fatty Acids and Total and Cause-Specific Mortality in Older Adults: A Cohort Study, Ann. Intern. Med. 158 (7): 515-525 (2013), available at http://annals.org/article.aspx?articleid=1671714) has shown that 400 mg of DHA plus EPA daily is very significant medically, and the Canadian Government recommends 500 mg of DHA plus EPA daily for medically beneficial nutrition.

[0016] It is anticipated that feeding algae with grass using the method disclosed herein will yield even greater amounts of DHA and EPA per serving, such that a quarter pound hamburger will contain about 200 mg of DHA and EPA and an 8 oz steak will contain about 200 mg DHA plus EPA. Thus, the consumer will be able to consume algae fed grass fed beef and obtain about half the recommended dietary level without eating fish. The consumer will be able to consume additional DHA and EPA by consuming eggs and poultry meat from hens which have been fed the same algae (e.g., Schizochytrium or Nannochloropsis).

[0017] Thus, it has been found that if cattle are fed a diet comprising grass plus an amount of whole algae, e.g., Schizochytrium or Nannochloropsis, the steer will eat more of the total feed ration relative to cattle fed whole algae under feedlot conditions, will thus consume more algae, and will produce a beef product containing higher levels of omega-3s including, e.g., DHA and EPA. In experimental tests, for example, cattle fed a diet of grass plus algae consumed two pounds of algae per day, while cattle fed whole algae under feedlot conditions (e.g., rations containing a high corn content) consumed only one pound of algae or less per day.

[0018] Algae may be fed to cattle, e.g., in combination with grass. Further, cattle fed algae, e.g., in combination with grass, may be fed one or more additional feeds, optionally combined with grass, as a finishing ration before slaughter. The finishing ration may contain, e.g., high energy ingredients (e.g., potatoes, sugar beets, bagasse, waste, and/or candy products) and/or starches.

[0019] Grass or other feeds (e.g., algae and/or finishing rations), optionally in combination, may be fed to cattle, e.g., by grazing or baling or as silage, or by other techniques commonly known in the art.

[0020] Food rations fed to cattle are designed to provide a pH in the rumen of between 5.6 and 7.0.

[0021] In a preferred embodiment, food rations fed to cattle comprise less than 9% total fat.

[0022] In a preferred embodiment, the amount of algae in the total feed ration is between about 0.1 pounds per day and about 3 pounds per day, with the balance of the feed ration being grass, and in some cases additional ingredients as described above to increase caloric intake

[0023] In a preferred embodiment, the algae fed to cattle is Schizochytrium.

[0024] In a preferred embodiment, cattle are fed a diet comprising between about 0.1 pounds and about 3 pounds of algae, e.g., Schizochytrium, per day, with the balance of the feed ration being grass, and in some cases additional ingredients as described above. If the algae selected has less fats, i.e., lipids, then the amount of algae may be adjusted upward pro rata.

[0025] All publications cited herein are incorporated by reference in their entireties.