Flax in Ontario

Agdex#:	148/10
Publication Date:	01/84
Order#:	84-001
Last Reviewed:	01/84
History:	(Revision of Factsheet "Flax in Ontario", May 1976)
Written by:	R. A. Upfold - University of Guelph; D. J. Hume - University of Guelph

Table of Contents

1. Area of Adaptation
2. Varieties
3. Planting
4. Fertilizer
5. Weed Control
6. Harvesting
7. Yield
8. Storage and Marketing
9. Uses

In 1981 approximately 480,000 hectares of flax were grown in Canada but of this only 4500 were in Ontario. It is a minor crop in Ontario with production centered in Bruce county and North Huron county and to a lesser extent in the counties of Wellington, Perth, Dufferin and Grey.

Because flax is planted and harvested with the same equipment as cereals, it is very easy to get in or out of the crop. This results in wide fluctuations in the amount grown in 1961 there were about 8500 ha which declined to540 in 1971 and increased in 1981 to 4500.

Area of Adaptation

Flax is a cool-season crop, best grown in areas with less than 2700 Heat Units. Although it does better than most crops on imperfectly drained soils, it does best on well-drained loams, silt loams and clay loams. Flax has a relatively short tap root and should not be grown on droughty soils. The combination of droughty soils and high temperatures at grain filling will lead to reduced yield.

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Varieties

Linott and Dufferin are the major varieties grown in Ontario, but there is a limited acreage of McGregor. Table 1 shows results with varieties tested in 1980-83 at the Elora Research Station.

* Maturity was rated as the date when 90% of the bolls had turned brown.

In areas with less than 2500 Heat Units (Dundalk Plains) Linott is the only variety that will satisfactorily
mature. The others are too late. However, in areas with more than 2500 Heat Units, either Dufferin or McGregor should be grown because of their high yield potential.

Under wet conditions, the oil in Dufferin will leach out, thereby decreasing bushel weight and returns. Weathering is not a problem with Linott.

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Planting

For highest yields, flax should be planted in late April or early May. It will tolerate spring frosts. With later plantings, yield and response to nitrogen fertilizer decreases (see Table 2).

* T E. Bates, S. Sheppard and V Lucas, Land Resource Science. Progress Report - 1979

Using a grain drill, plant in a firm, fine seedbed at 40-45 kg/ ha. Because of its small seed, flax should be planted about 1/2-2/3 the depth you would plant cereals. Flax should not follow itself in a rotation because diseases could become a problem.

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Fertilizer

Traditionally flax has received low rates of fertilizer. This probably has lead to flax's reputation as being hard on land - it removed more fertility than had been added. A soil test is the best method of determining fertilizer requirements, but a general recommendation would be45, 20 and 20 kg/ ha of nitrogen, phosphate and potash respectively. If early planting (late April) is possible, then nitrogen application can be increased to 60 kg / ha. But if planting is delayed (late May), then 100 kg / ha 15-15-15 is adequate (see Table 2).

Flaxseed is susceptible to fertilizer burn, and all fertilizer should be broadcast.

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Weed Control

Flax does not compete with weeds and should be planted in a clean field. It will stand at least as much
atrazine as barley and previous crops of corn can be used to control weeds such as twitchgrass.
Sodium MCPA 300 is the most common herbicide applied to flax, although MCPA 500 can also be used. For best results MCPA should be sprayed when the seeds are 5 cm high and the flax 15 em high. In many cases the MCPA causes a severe wilting of the flax, but it recovers with no apparent yield loss.

MCPA controls annuals like mustard, lamb's-quarter and ragweed but does not control wild buckwheat or lady's thumb. If these weeds are problems, herbicides containing bromoxynil plus MCPA (Buctril M and Bromox 450 M) should be used. For details on amounts and other recommended chemicals see OMAF Publication 75, Guide to Chemical Weed Control.

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Harvesting

Swathing, followed by combining normally produces drier seed than straight combining and much of the crop is handled in this manner. The crop is swathed when about 90% of the leaves have fallen off and the seeds have turned dark brown. Under good drying conditions, the crop can be combined 3-4 days after swathing.

Harvesting is the most demanding aspect of growing flax. Batt reels should be used because pick-up reels cause problems with wrapping. Knives should be sharp and guards tight to get a good clean cut and prevent binding. For combine adjustment consult your operators' manual, but a general recommendation would be to close up the clearance between the cylinders and concave to about half
that of grain and slow down the cylinder.

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Yield

The average yield in Ontario is about 1400 kg/ ha with 1900 kg/ha being a good crop. Some growers have obtained as much as 2500 kg / ha which is an exceptional crop.

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Storage and Marketing

Flax is not normally stored on the farm, but is shipped at harvest. Dry flax is 10.5% moisture and if above that will incur a drying and shrinkage charge.

There is a ready market for flax in Ontario. Although crushed by Maple Leaf Monarch in Windsor, much of the flax grown in Ontario is marketed through Anderson Flax Products in Lucknow or Topnotch Feeds in Milverton. In many cases they provide seed and cultural information, clean and dry the flax and truck it to Windsor. Other farmers grow flax on their own and market through these or other elevators such as some Co-ops or deliver directly to Maple Leaf Monarch.

The price of flax is based on Winnipeg December futures at time of delivery minus the basis. The basis (difference between futures and local price) has traditionally ranged from $45 - $47/tonne, but in 1983 increased to $65 / tonne because of ample supplies in the West. In addition price adjustments are made for drying (dry flax is 10.5% moisture), shrinkage and grades. For further information on expected returns from growing flax, consult the crop budgeting aids, which are published every year and available from your local office of the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food.

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Straw Disposal

Flax straw is not suitable for linen production because of the short fibres in the stem. Although some straw from Western Canada is used in the manufacture of fine papers, this use has not attracted much attention in Ontario.

Flax straw is very slow to rot in the soil. As a result most farmers burn their flax straw - once combined the windrows are moved into piles and set on fire. Some farmers have tried chopping flax straw but find it requires high horsepower and the straw chopper plugs frequently.

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Uses

Flaxseed contains from 35 to 40% linseed oil. The oil's major use is in oil-based paints and other protective coatings, because it dries to a durable finish. Oil is also used in linoleum, printer's ink, soaps, putty, as an industrial lubricant and as a salt-resistant coating for concrete highways and sidewalks.
After oil is extracted, the remaining linseed meal is a valuable livestock protein supplement. It averages 35% protein and has a gently regulating effect on livestock.

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