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AbstractThe aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of dietary extruded flaxseed (EF) and/or rumen-protected (rp) lipids on beef meat quality and oxidation. In all, 63 crossbred heifers (Charolais × Limousin) were evenly distributed into seven experimental groups, balanced in terms of age and body weight (BW). The feeding groups differed in both, the dietary lipid source (EF and/or rp-conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), supplemented with vitamin E (VE)) and the supplementation length (90 or 180 days before slaughter); the same total amount of lipids was administered to the animals. With the respect of the control group, the α-linolenic acid content significantly increased and the n-6/n-3 ratio decreased in cattle groups fed with EF. The results also show that providing CLA and/or EF did not lead to an increase in CLA isomers (CLAs) in the lipid fraction of the meat. Our finding shows that administering EF for a shorter period with respect to longer, moderately enhance the nutritional value of the meat with regard to fat composition. No significant effects of dietary supplementation on TBA-reactive substances (TBARs) levels of fresh meat were observed; however, the protection provided by vitamin supplementation might become evident during meat storage under commercial retail conditions.

AbstractTwo homogeneous groups of dairy cows were fed the same base diet added with a concentrate containing 10 % of soybean meal or 10.1 % of faba bean and 10.1 % of pea. The substitution of soybean meal with faba bean + pea reduced dry matter intake (−0.83 kg/head/day equivalent to 3.5%) and milk yield (−1.29 kg/head/day equivalent to 3.9%), but increased fat and casein concentrations in milk and, as a consequence, cheese yield at 32 hours (P>0.01). The present data show that is possible feed a GMO free diet to dairy cows, without using soybean meal.