Effects of seasonal variation and winter supplementation of ground whole flaxseed on milk fatty acid composition of dairy cows in organic farms in the northeastern United States

ABSTRACT Fourteen organic dairy farms in the northeastern United States were used to evaluate (1) seasonal variation in bioactive milk fatty acid (FA) profile from 2012 to 2015 and (2) supplementation of ground whole flaxseed (GFLX) to maintain elevated concentrations of bioactive milk FA during the nongrazing season. During regular farm visits, milk, feed, and pasture samples were collected, and diet composition, milk yield, and milk composition were recorded. During winters of 2013 to 2014 and 2014 to 2015, 9 farms supplemented GFLX at 6% of diet DM to half of each herd (n = 238 cows per treatment). Milk samples were collected and pooled by treatment (GFLX or control). Data were analyzed using the MIXED procedure of SAS. A significant month × year interaction ( P P P > 0.15) milk yield or concentrations of milk fat or protein; however, BCS tended ( P = 0.08) to be greater for GFLX cows. Compared with the control diet, GFLX decreased ( P P