Where is flaxseed grown

Another possibility is to sell the flax to poultry producers, which are concentrated in southern Missouri. Small quantities of flax could potentially be sold to health food stores or other retailers. This would not be enough to cover the production costs of growing flax, which are similar to the cost of growing oats or soybeans. If the flax has to be shipped all the way to Minnesota, profit potential is further reduced. On the positive side, LDP payments for flax are available, boosting profit potential.

The way to make flax a profitable alternative in Missouri is to double crop it with buckwheat, planting the flax in early spring, harvesting in late July, then immediately planting the buckwheat. In extensive Missouri field trials, buckwheat performed best when planted in late July or early August, and still matures before frost in October. This system might not work in the northern tier of Missouri counties, but should work well in central and southern areas.

Delivery points for buckwheat are currently in Minnesota and North Dakota, with the crop mostly exported to Japan see University of Missouri extension guide for more information on buckwheat.

The main challenges in this system would be getting the flax planted early enough in a wet spring, planting buckwheat into the tough flax crop residue, and arranging for buyers and delivery of the crops.

Management practices for oilseed flax are similar to that of spring oats. It is adapted to soils that are good for wheat or oats, but is not suited to poorly drained soils.

Flax should not be grown in the same field every year, but instead should be rotated with other crops to reduce disease potential and improve yields. As described in the economics section of this publication, the greatest opportunity for flax may be in growing it as a double crop with buckwheat, thereby getting two crop incomes in one growing season.

There are several varieties of oilseed flax available, most of them having been developed by plant breeders in North Dakota, Minnesota and Canada. Omega, Linton, and Rahab had the best yields when averaged over two locations, with yields typically in the to pound per acre range. All of these varieties are brown-seeded, except for Omega, a golden-colored seed, which was the newest variety among the group tested.

For the food market, Omega might carry a slight premium in sales prices, but for industrial uses, would be priced no differently. Fiber flax varieties are taller than oilseed types and have much lower seed yields. There are also varieties which are considered "dual purpose" for both fiber and seed, being intermediate in production of both products. Commercial production of fiber flax is not recommended in Missouri at this time. Flax should be planted in early April in northern Missouri, or late March in southern Missouri.

Although late frosts may occur after flax emergence, they are unlikely to damage flax. A standard grain drill can be used with flax, planting it in narrow rows preferably 6 inches or less. Seed treatment with a fungicide is frequently recommended in North Dakota, especially for the golden-seeded type, but in rapidly warming soils such seed treatment is probably not necessary.

Recommended seeding rate is 50 pounds per acre. North Dakota extension staff recommends that an optimum plant population for flax is 70 plants per square foot, with a minimum stand of 40 plants per square foot. If flax stands are too thin, weeds will be more of a problem and light will get down into the canopy, stimulating an extended flowering period and slower plant dry down.

At seeding rates that are too high, branching of the stem into multiple seed capsules is inhibited, leading to fewer capsules and lower yields. Fiber flax is seeded at double the rate of oilseed flax, to reduce branching and promote higher fiber yields. Flax has moderate fertility needs, similar to that for spring oats. For nitrogen, 50 to 80 pounds per acre should be applied, using the lower figure following soybeans or another legume.

Nitrogen needs can be met by organic sources such as manure or leguminous cover crops. Phosphorous and potassium should be based on soil test levels — application rates can be the same as for oats or wheat. Weeds Since flax is planted early in the spring, it gets a head start on many summer annual weeds. However, flax is not very competitive with weeds, in part because the small leaves of flax keep it from shading the ground completely.

Flax should not be planted in fields known to have a heavy population of cool season weeds, such as wild mustards. Insects In four years of field trials with flax in Missouri, insects and diseases were not a problem. In North Dakota, grasshopper, cutworms, armyworms, aphids, wireworms and leaf hoppers introducing aster yellow disease have sometimes caused damage.

Flax has occasionally suffered from severe disease. Flaxseed meal is the byproduct remaining after flaxseed has been crushed for oil. Flax is an attractive, high-nutrition crop because it is rich in dietary fiber, very high in essential fatty acids and high in vitamins and minerals.

Nutritionally, flax provides alpha-linolenic acid ALA , an essential omega-3 fatty acid. In fact, the percentage of ALA in flax is the highest of any plant source. Humans can consume flax as a supplement or as an ingredient in various foods. Flax has traditionally been used as an ingredient in breakfast cereals and breads. However, in the last ten years, a significant number of products containing flax have been developed for the health food market.

The renewed interest in flax as a food source is due to findings suggesting that it can provide a variety of health benefits such as reducing heart disease and cancer risks. Research also indicates additional health benefits related to the autoimmune system. Flaxseed meal is gaining popularity in the premium pet food industry. Many pet food manufacturers are adding the meal to their animal and poultry feeds. With its unique combination of amino acids, flaxseed meal appears to improve both the overall health and appearance of cats, dogs and horses.

Research suggests that feeding flaxseed to poultry and cattle can alter the level of omega-3 fatty acid in eggs and beef Scheideler et al. Similarly, milk from dairy cattle fed rations including flax have shown increased ALA content Bork et al. Animal rations containing flaxseed increase fertility in hogs and immunity in steers Maddock et al.

In the past, "industrial" flaxseed oil for linoleum flooring, paints and other industrial products was in high demand. Increased use of water-based paints and petroleum-based floor coverings has reduced that demand. In the late s, however, the trend toward healthy and environmentally friendly products began to create new opportunities for the flax industry. The non-allergenic and biodegradable characteristics of linoleum flooring have led to a resurgence of demand for linoleum in some parts of Europe.

And seeds can be sown according to the line sowing method with uniform distribution. And seeds must be placed cm below the soil. Spacing between each row can be kept as cm and between each crop can be kept as 10 cm.

The moisture level must be good as this crop requires more moisture. Make sure moisture is maintained in the germination phase and in each development phase, so proper irrigation practices must be done. Subsidy on Agri Business: The Modi government is constantly making efforts to double the income of farmers by the year…. Use FMY farmyard manure at the time of land preparation. If the soil does not have sufficient nutrients, then feeding with micronutrients will be a good idea.

Feeding with good manure will result in good quality of seed and good yield. Termite, cutworm, wireworm, semi looper, leaf minor, bud fly, pasmo, aster yellows, gram pod borer are some of the pests and diseases which can harm the flax crops.

To protect the crop, the following measures can be taken-. The seed must be treated with Bavistinor Topsin-M to protect the crop from seed-borne diseases. Application of pre-emergent and post-emergent herbicide for the protection from weeds. Flaxseed crop starts maturing by the end of February and depends upon winter conditions and the time of sowing.

When leaves are dry and balls turned brownish, the flax crop is ready to harvest. Flaxseeds can be sold to oil manufacturing industries and flax fibers to Linen manufacturing industries.