Research suggests that supplementing sow diets with flax seed or flax seed oil during the last trimester of gestation can increase the fatty acid composition of plasma and milk of sows, and of piglet tissues
by JANICE MURPHY
Flax has long been recognized for its medicinal properties. In the past, it has been used to alleviate constipation in sows at farrowing, but there is growing interest in the effects of the omega-3 fatty acids. These fatty acids alter immune and inflammation responses which, when coupled with the hormonal changes that occur during pregnancy, have a positive effect on sow productivity and the health of the piglets.