USA
August 22, 2024
Omega-3 fatty acids are essential nutrients vital for human and animal health, supporting brain, eye, and heart development, managing inflammation, and enhancing immune function. Traditionally sourced from marine life, such as fish and algae, omega-3 production faces significant environmental and sustainability challenges.
Enter Nuseed, a global leader in canola breeding and processing, revolutionizing the industry with its Nuseed Omega-3 Canola Production System. Nuseed Omega-3 Canola features a novel technology that enables the production of omega-3 oil from the canola grown by contracted farmers. It marks the first time a plant has been genetically modified to produce long-chain omega-3s (DHA and EPA), which are the most crucial types for human health.
A Sustainable Supply Chain
Global supply chain disruptions have become a sensitive issue for the omega-3 industry, driven by rising demand, climate change, and the more frequent and intense El Niño conditions. These factors pose a threat to the stability of the industry’s supply chain, especially with the growing interest in marine-derived products from both consumers and the rapidly expanding aquaculture sector.
Mark Jackson, General Manager for Nuseed Americas, highlights the growing significance of the Omega-3 canola production system, particularly in the face of climate change. “The recent cancellation of the anchovy season in Peru is just one example underscoring the urgency for alternatives, as traditional sources from the ocean are dwindling. This is an area where we’ve identified a sustained growth trajectory,” he says.
“That’s one of the reasons why the product was brought to the marketplace. We are now helping to sustain that industry, allowing it to grow beyond previous limitations. This trait Nuseed has developed for its Omega-3 Canola brings long-chain fatty acids, including the crucial omega-3 DHA for brain function and health, into a land-based plant for the first time. It’s a real achievement.”
Expanding Applications with Innovative Partnerships
The cancellation of Peru’s first anchovy season of 2023 underscores the importance of diversified and reliable omega-3 sources. Nuseed’s pioneering products, Aquaterra and Nutriterra, derived from Nuseed Omega-3 Canola, provide sustainable, plant-based omega-3 oil.
Aquaterra, used in aquaculture feed, ensures fish health and growth, tested and proven in commercial-scale trials. Nutriterra offers a plant-based omega-3 source for human nutrition, containing DHA, EPA, and ALA, crucial for human health. With a milder flavor and smell than fish oil, Nutriterra is easily digestible, vegetarian-friendly, and free from high saturated fats, reducing pressure on wild fish stocks.
Nuseed’s partnership with Connoils for producing and distributing Nutriterra DHA canola oil in powder formats expands its application in beverages and functional foods. This innovative format ensures unmatched stability and quality, preserving nutritional integrity.
Mark Smith, Nuseed Nutritional Nutraceutical Lead, highlights consumer preference. “Our proprietary research indicates that 64% of consumers prefer a plant-based omega-3 when presented with an alternative to marine oils.”
Meeting Market Demands
Debbie Stiles, Nuseed’s North American Strategic Marketing Manager, underscores the system’s transformative impact. “I spend 90% of my time communicating with growers about the significance and importance of the Nuseed Omega-3 Canola Production System. It’s a full circle from production to consumer impact,” she explains.
The Nuseed Omega-3 Canola Production System’s directly links consumer demand while providing growers with clear market opportunities. “We know exactly what the canola is being used for, so there’s little risk for the grower,” Stiles adds. Unlike other crops where market demand can be unpredictable, Nuseed offers a secure market, assuring growers of a consistent and reliable outlet for their produce.
A Secure Future for Growers
For farmers, Nuseed Omega-3 Canola represents a significant profit opportunity. By tapping into the growing demand for sustainable omega-3 sources, farmers can secure a reliable market and contribute to a critical global supply chain. Nuseed’s commitment to creating new markets ensures that growers are well-positioned to meet the future demands of both aquaculture and human nutrition, fostering a sustainable and profitable farming future.
Jackson further emphasizes the positive impact on Nuseed’s contracted growers, noting that Nuseed’s Omega-3 Canola Production System enables farmers to use their land to bolster sustainability.
“We’ve got great genetics, yields are improving, and the plant is fantastic. In regions like Montana, where canola isn’t traditionally grown, we integrate it into the rotation, improving the overall rotation health,” he says. “It’s a unique approach that leverages traditional assets in a market that, while looking like a commodity market, is anything but. It not only benefits fish health but also human health.”
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