Researchers fed dairy sheep different amounts of camelina seeds (a nutritious plant) to see how it affected their digestion. They studied the tiny bacteria living in the sheep’s stomachs that help break down food. The study found that adding more camelina seeds changed which bacteria were most common, which affected how the sheep processed different nutrients like carbohydrates and fats. This research suggests camelina seeds could be a healthy alternative to other feed ingredients, though scientists need to do more testing to understand all the effects.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: How adding camelina seeds to sheep feed changes the bacteria in their stomachs and how they digest food
  • Who participated: 48 dairy sheep divided into 4 groups, each eating different amounts of camelina seeds (from none to high amounts) for 60 days
  • Key finding: Medium amounts of camelina seeds (about 11% of feed) produced the best changes in stomach bacteria and digestion, increasing helpful acids that sheep need for energy
  • What it means for you: Camelina seeds may be a good, sustainable alternative to traditional feed ingredients for farm animals, though farmers should use moderate amounts rather than very high amounts

The Research Details

Scientists divided 48 dairy sheep into four equal groups. Each group ate a different diet: one group got no camelina seeds (the control group), while the other three groups got increasing amounts mixed into their regular feed. After 60 days, researchers collected samples from inside each sheep’s stomach using a special tube. They then analyzed these samples to identify which bacteria were present and measured important digestive chemicals called fatty acids. The researchers used advanced DNA testing to identify exactly which types of bacteria were living in the sheep’s stomachs and how many of each type were present.

Understanding how different foods change the bacteria in a sheep’s stomach is important because these bacteria do all the work of breaking down food and helping the sheep get nutrients. By studying this, scientists can find better, more sustainable feed options that help animals digest food more efficiently and produce less methane gas (which is bad for the environment).

This study used modern scientific methods (DNA sequencing) to identify bacteria accurately. The researchers tested all four groups the same way and at the same time point, which makes the comparison fair. However, the study only looked at one moment in time (day 60) and only measured sheep, so results may not apply to other animals. The sample size of 48 sheep is reasonable for this type of research.

What the Results Show

When sheep ate medium amounts of camelina seeds (about 11% of their feed), their stomachs produced more of two important acids called acetic acid and propionic acid. These acids are what give sheep energy, so more of them is generally good. The sheep eating medium amounts also had different bacteria living in their stomachs compared to the control group—specifically, they had more bacteria that are good at fermenting carbohydrates and processing fats. When sheep ate the highest amount of camelina seeds, the bacteria community changed even more dramatically, with different types becoming more common. Interestingly, the bacteria that break down tough plant fibers (which are important for digestion) became less common when sheep ate higher amounts of camelina seeds.

The study found that bacteria living in the liquid part of the stomach responded differently than bacteria attached to food particles. The enzyme that breaks down starch (amylase) was lower in sheep eating the lowest-medium amount of camelina seeds. The overall diversity of bacteria decreased slightly in sheep eating higher amounts of camelina seeds, meaning fewer different types of bacteria were present, though this wasn’t necessarily bad for digestion.

This research adds important new information because most previous studies on camelina seeds only looked at whether sheep gained weight or produced more milk. This is one of the first studies to look at what’s actually happening inside the sheep’s stomach at the bacterial level. The findings support the idea that camelina seeds can be a good feed ingredient, but they also show that the amount matters a lot—more isn’t always better.

This study only looked at one point in time (day 60), so we don’t know if these changes stay the same longer or if they change over time. The study only included dairy sheep, so these results might not apply to other types of sheep or cattle. The researchers didn’t measure whether these bacterial changes actually made the sheep healthier, gain more weight, or produce more milk—they only measured the bacteria themselves. More research is needed to understand if these changes are actually beneficial for the animals.

The Bottom Line

Based on this research, farmers may want to consider adding camelina seeds to sheep feed as a sustainable alternative to traditional ingredients like soybean meal. The evidence suggests using moderate amounts (around 11% of total feed) rather than very high amounts. However, this is early-stage research, so farmers should start with small amounts and monitor their sheep’s health and production. Confidence level: Moderate—the research is solid but more studies are needed.

This research is most relevant to farmers raising dairy sheep who want to try new, sustainable feed ingredients. It may also interest farmers raising other types of livestock (cattle, goats) who are looking for alternatives to soybean meal. People interested in sustainable farming and reducing environmental impact from livestock would find this relevant. This research is NOT directly applicable to human nutrition or health.

Based on this study, changes in stomach bacteria happened within 60 days. If farmers tried this feed change, they might see effects on milk production or animal health within 2-3 months, though more research is needed to confirm this timeline.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • If you’re a farmer using this research, track the percentage of camelina seeds in your feed mix (aim for 8-12% based on this study) and monitor milk production and animal weight weekly to see if moderate amounts improve your results
  • Start by replacing 10% of your current soybean meal with camelina seeds in your sheep feed, then gradually adjust based on how your animals respond over 2-3 months
  • Keep a weekly log of feed composition, animal health observations, milk production (if applicable), and any digestive issues. Compare results over 3-month periods to see if the camelina seeds are working well for your specific animals

This research is about animal nutrition and digestion in sheep, not human health. The findings apply to livestock farming decisions and should not be interpreted as health advice for people. Farmers considering changes to animal feed should consult with a veterinarian or animal nutritionist before making significant dietary changes. This study is preliminary research; more studies are needed before making major farming decisions based solely on these findings. Always follow local agricultural guidelines and regulations when changing animal feed.