(Dave Bedard photo)

Flax growers scout soggy fields as prices edge upward

CNS Canada — Producers are assessing the effects of weekend rains that soaked flax crops in Western Canada, while prices have ticked up slightly as data reflects shrinking acres. Flax fields in western Manitoba saw thunderstorms and powerful winds, which knocked out power in some areas of the province during the weekend. Parts of southeastern […] Read more

(Dave Bedard photo)

Flax industry fighting to regain lost acres

CNS Canada — After losing ground to pulses this year, a flax industry group is working on ways to be competitive going forward. “It’s the year of the pulses, and certainly growers are taking advantage of good prices for pulses,” said Don Kerr, president at the Flax Council of Canada, referring to the United Nations […] Read more


(Dave Bedard photo)

Flax expected to lose a third of acres

CNS Canada — Canada’s flax acres are expected to fall about a third from last year’s levels, according to Statistics Canada data. One market participant says weaker prices have influenced farmers, while another says smaller crops are often overlooked during surveys. StatsCan estimates flax’s seeded area at about 1.1 million acres, compared with 1.6 million acres […] Read more

Eight tips for growing flax

Eight tips for growing flax

Agronomy researcher Chris Holzapfel shares what he’s learned about growing flax

If you count each research plot as a crop, Chris Holzapfel – a research manager for the Indian Head Agricultural Research Foundation – has grown more crops in a few years than most farmers have a chance to grow in a lifetime. Holzapfel’s research includes several different crops, but at a recent Saskatchewan Oilseed Producer[...]
Read more


(FlaxCouncil.ca)

Potential for fewer flax acres seen this year

CNS Canada — While area seeded to flax in Canada has been increasing over the past four years, that upward momentum may halt in 2016-17. Flax’s cost of production is higher than many of its rivals and the growing lustre of pulse crops could cut into some acres, according to one industry watcher. “It’s too[...]
Read more

(Dave Bedard photo)

Flax prices see upward bump on increased demand

CNS Canada –– Foreign demand has picked up in the flax market, according to a grain brokerage firm — and despite increased competition, Canadian prices have seen a slight uptick as limited quality flax is available. Old-crop flax prices have increased slightly since harvest, as farmers have been firm on sales, and demand has picked[...]
Read more


(Dave Bedard photo)

Flax crop could average 30 bushels an acre

CNS Canada –– Canada’s 2015-16 flax crop could be about 30 per cent bigger than last year’s, according to an expert in the industry. “A million tonnes is what they’re talking about for Canada,” said Richard Zacharias, general manager of Prairie Flax Products near Portage la Prairie, Man. While the majority of the crop still[...]
Read more



(Laura Rance photo)

Flaxseed acres likely to top official estimates

CNS Canada — The relative strength in flaxseed bids, recent uncertainty in other cropping options and a general need to mitigate risk could see a few more acres sway towards the oilseed in Western Canada this spring, according to some market watchers. Statistics Canada recently forecast flaxseed plantings for 2015-16 at 1.63 million acres, which[...]
Read more

(Laura Rance photo)

Flax prices still strong enough to buy acres

CNS Canada –– Canada’s flax prices are still holding strong enough to encourage an acreage increase this spring, despite concerns about slowing demand. Prices have held up even as shipping opportunities have started to slow down, as there’s a standoff between buyers and sellers, and supplies remain tight, said Mike Jubinville of ProFarmer Canada. Old-crop[...]
Read more