New cattle feed 'to produce healthier milk'

Cows in the UK could soon be producing healthier milk after the introduction of a "revolutionary" new cattle feed.

The makers of Lintec, which is already used extensively on the continent, claim it will slash the saturated fat content and carbon footprint of dairy products and revolutionise the industry, according to trade magazine The Grocer.

The feed was introduced to the UK this week by BOCM Pauls, the country's largest feed supplier.

A special processing technique produced a feed that subtly changed the cow's metabolism and fatty acid synthesis, The Grocer reported.

As a result, saturated fat levels in the milk were reduced and methane output, one of the most significant elements in the dairy industry's carbon footprint, was also cut by up to 10 per cent.

David Forbes, marketing manager at BOCM Pauls, told the magazine that Lintec will "revolutionise ruminant feeding in the UK" because it is "good for the cow, good for the farmer, good for human nutrition and good for the environment too".