Reading Time: < 1 minute CNS Canada – As the amount of flax grown in Western Canada remains in a steep decline, this year’s crop was pretty good in terms of quality. “This year there are some visual black seeds in the crops, but it’s not that bad. It’s a pretty small amount, kind of negligible for the buyer,” said […] Read more
Quality-wise Prairie flax crop in good shape
StatsCan’s canola forecast deemed supportive
Reading Time: 2 minutes CNS Canada — A summer of dryness and sizzling heat has apparently taken its toll on canola plants in many areas of Western Canada, according to the latest crop production estimate from Statistics Canada. In a survey compiled in the latter days of July and released Friday, Statistics Canada pegged canola production for 2018-19 at […] Read more
Firm, steady flax prices seen in the cards
Reading Time: 2 minutes CNS Canada — Farmers with flax in the ground should be pleased come autumn. Statistics Canada revised its seeded acreage estimate downward in late June and that, combined with lower carryout stocks and several other factors, should bring strong prices. “Given the demand in the market from China, the United States and potentially even the […] Read more
Plant protein supercluster makes cut for federal funding
Reading Time: 4 minutes At the table with artificial intelligence, big data, advanced manufacturing and ocean-based energy, Prairie pulse, oilseed and cereal crops are in for a share of federal support to spur innovation in Canada. Innovation, Science and Economic Development Minister Navdeep Bains on Thursday announced Protein Industries Canada (PIC) as one of five “superclusters” which will receive […] Read more
Six tips for better flax agronomy
For years, flax has been the ugly stepsister to Cinderella crops such as canola. But with the right agronomy and new varieties, flax might be the belle of the ball. The long-term Canadian average yield for flax is roughly 21 bushels per acre, said Rachel Evans, agronomist for the Flax Council of Canada. Improving flax[...]
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Flax Council of Canada to shut office
Reading Time: 3 minutes The national promotional agency for Canada’s flax industry plans to move forward without a bricks-and-mortar office starting next month. The Flax Council of Canada announced Monday its downtown Winnipeg office, which it shares with the Manitoba Flax Growers Association, will close effective Jan. 31. Going forward, the council said it will “continue to operate on[...]
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Improving flax one allele at a time
Rust hasn’t affected Canadian flax for more than 40 years, but new varieties must still incorporate resistance
Reading Time: 4 minutes On the surface, you’d think that a research project seeking to locate and sequence specific rust-resistance genes, then find ways to quickly identify the presence of these genes in plant breeding material is ultimately about preventing crop loss to rust. But we’re talking about flax here, so think again. Flax is a one million-acre crop[...]
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Canadian flax prospects dimmed by China’s silk road
Reading Time: 2 minutes Winnipeg | CNS – China’s construction of a new “silk road” connecting the country to Europe isn’t likely to be good news for Canadian flax exporters. For several years, Canada has been the main exporter of flax to China but that could likely change if Kazakhstan ever has a direct link to the China. “We[...]
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Flax opportunities
Agronomics and yield are the big priorities for flax growers in Western Canada
Reading Time: 9 minutes Flax acres have started to rebound over the past few years, with Saskatchewan still accounting for most of the flax grown on the Prairies. In order to entice more growers to flax, however, yields will need to increase. Average flax yields have hovered around 22 bu./ac. for many years, and although growers in some areas[...]
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Tips for better flax management
A series of three-year research projects in key growing areas are helping to update best management practices for flax agronomics, including these highlights.
A message from April Stewart, Country Guide's Associate Editor
