(Resource News International) — Harvest operations for flaxseed have been coming along quite nicely, as favourable weather conditions across the Prairies have allowed producers onto the land.
Roger Kissick, flax product manager with Linear Grains at Carman, Man., said the harvest on Canada’s Prairies is about halfway complete.
“It’s progressing reasonably well,” he said. “However, it’s still very wet in some places, which is making it difficult to get onto the fields.”
The quality of the flax that has come off the field has been relatively good, Kissick said. However, yields have been another story.
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Flaxseed yields have been below average because of all the rains that hit the Prairies throughout the summer, and specifically in September.
The poorer yields were one of the factors that contributed to fairly strong prices. Elevators for flaxseed were bringing as much as $13 per bushel in Saskatchewan, and $13.19 per bushel in Alberta, according to Prairie Ag Hotwire.
These prices range anywhere from 92 cents to $1.35 per bushel higher than they were a month ago.
Aside from the reduced yields, Kissick said there are a couple of other factors putting upward pressure on prices.
“There is a limited acreage base out there and the comparable crops are seeing a fair bit of strength,” he said.
The greatest demand for flax this year, he said, will come from Europe.
