The Food and Drug Administration last week approved camelina in rations for broiler chickens and with this action the FDA allows Great Plains to state that camelina has GRAS ("generally recognized as safe") status.
Great Plains, a renewable fuels energy company founded with the purpose of manufacturing and marketing biofuel produced from camelina, has been working with the FDA to gain approval for the crop to be used as livestock feed for several years. The company is working with Texas A&M University on an additional study of camelina as feed for egg-laying chickens that is expected to begin within the next several weeks. The company is also discussing with the FDA the use of camelina in feed for dairy cattle.
While high in protein and vitamin E, camelina is also a great source for omega-3 fatty acids. The omega-3 fatty acids are beneficial in weight gain for the chickens. Further, the meat from chickens will contain the omega-3s, making it healthier for human consumption. Camelina already is used in feed mixtures for beef cattle and pigs.
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