Recent News

Flax Growers Pleased with RMA Announcement of Additional Price Election for Flax

The Board of Directors of AmeriFlax is appreciative of the USDA Risk Management Agency’s decision to announce an Additional Price Election for flax for the 2022 crop season to $17.75 per bushel.   This was an increase of 38 percent from the original price of $12.85 announced in early December.  “Given the extreme drought last year, harvest prices for flax gapped up to the widest disparity on record from spring prices,” said Mike Axness, Chairman of the Ameriflax board.

Growers who saw record flax prices at harvest time had hoped the crop insurance price guarantee for 2022 would finally reflect these higher prices.  They were disappointed when presented with the announced Established Price in early December of only $12.85 per bushel.

Ameriflax submitted data on cash bids for flax from 15 different locations throughout the region to the USDA in its request.  It also provided a summation of Monthly Agricultural Prices compiled by USDA NASS that showed a continual increase in flax prices since September.

“Granting this Additional Price Election ensures that flax growers have the ability to insure a fair share of their crop for this growing season and will help support the flax industry coming off of a difficult growing season,” said Axness.

5 All-Star Foods That Are High in Healthy Fats

If you keep up with nutrition science, you already know that the myth of fat as the enemy of health has long been debunked. In fact, consuming healthy fats is essential for overall well-being. Kate Geagan, MS, RD, a sustainable food and nutrition expert and consultant to Pompeian, explains that fat is much more to our bodies than just a certain number of calories. 

Your Body Needs Fat to Thrive

"When it comes to fats, some play a vital role in longevity and vitality because they provide a whole beneficial spectrum of protective, healing benefits in every bite," she says. People who follow an eating approach similar to the Mediterranean Diet, which is high in olive oil and fatty fish, have been shown to have improved cholesterol levels and lowered risk of heart disease, as well as reduced frailty as they age. 

Consuming fats is also important for optimal brain functioning. Our brains are made up of about 60 percent fat, after all, and omega-3 fatty acids, in particular, are considered the building blocks of our brains. Fats also add flavor to the foods we eat, making them integral in feeling full and satisfied after eating, as well as making oh-so-important vegetables even more palatable. Just think of the difference between eating steamed broccoli and broccoli roasted to crispy perfection with olive or avocado oil—if you're like most people, the latter makes you positively crave the green stuff. 

Prioritize Healthy Fats, Minimize Unhealthy Fats

The key to consuming fat in a way that helps you reap all its benefits is to know the difference between healthy and unhealthy fats, which function differently in our bodies. Cara Harbstreet, RDN, founder of Street Smart Nutrition, breaks it down for us, explaining that there are two main categories of healthy fats that are considered beneficial: monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats.

"Polyunsaturated fats include [healthy] omega-3 fatty acids and omega-6 fatty acids, and are essential fats; meaning they are required for normal body functions, but must come from the diet since our body can't make them," she explains. 

The unhealthy fats that should be avoided are saturated fats and trans fats. In high amounts, saturated fats can drive up cholesterol and result in artery blockages. While saturated fats are probably OK in small amounts, trans fats should be eliminated from the diet completely. "Trans fats are man-made and have a negative impact on cholesterol, and create inflammation that can be linked to heart disease, diabetes, and other conditions," says Harbstreet.

How Much Fat Do I Need Every Day?

The USDA recommends healthy adults aim to have 20 to 35 percent of their overall calories come from fat. Ideally, this is spread out over your meals and snacks throughout the day, and combined with other healthy sources of fat, protein, and fiber. What are the best foods to get your healthy fats in? Here's exactly what to eat.

5 of the Healthiest Fat Food Sources You Can Eat

Avocados

"There are so many reasons to love this fruit (and yes, it is a fruit!)," says Geagan. "Creamy and delicious, bite for bite, avocados are one of the most nutrient-dense foods you can eat, boasting nearly 20 vitamins and minerals in every bite, plus a hefty amount of monounsaturated fats (5 grams per serving)." Geagan loves avocados not only for their ability to help keep blood sugar and insulin levels stable, but for their power to boost satiety. This makes them a valuable tool in appetite management, as well as a tasty addition to any meal or snack. Add a third of an avocado to your salad, pair it with your morning eggs, or smear it on some toast with sea salt and a dash of crushed red pepper.

Peanuts

Both nutritionists highly recommend nuts as an excellent way to sneak in healthy monounsaturated fats throughout the day, but Geagan specifically calls out peanuts for being the unsung superhero of the nut family. (Actually, peanuts are technically legumes!) "Often overlooked in terms of pricier or trendier nuts, peanuts are one of the most available, affordable, and versatile superfoods in the grocery store," she says. 

Peanuts pack more protein than any other nut, with 7 grams per serving, more than 30 essential vitamins and minerals, and are rich in monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats. According to Geagan, eating peanuts is linked with better blood pressure, blood sugar, and healthy weight management. Packets of peanut butter (or other nut butters) are easy to throw in your bag or keep in the car, and can be eaten plain or paired with an apple for a nutritious, satisfying, and healthy snack. If you're scooping straight from the jar, aim for a 1 to 2 tablespoons serving. 

Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Olive oil is one of the most well-researched fats out there (not to mention one of the most delicious) and has been shown to be protective against diseases and ailments such as heart disease, diabetes, dementia, high blood pressure, obesity, and insulin resistance. "There are several components responsible for olive oil's powers," explains Geagan. "The monounsaturated fat [content] is one key reason for its health prowess, but equally importantly, EVOO is teeming with naturally occurring antioxidants and polyphenol compounds that deliver powerful health benefits—from fighting oxidative stress to reducing your risk for cancers, to upregulating a healthy genetic expression." Making olive oil your go-to for drizzling on salads, protein, and veggies is an easy way to get in a daily dose of this potent fat source.

Fatty Fish

Geagan and Harbstreet both recommend fish as an amazing source of super-healthy omega-3 fats—specifically, salmon, trout, and barramundi. "Eating omega-3 fish twice a week slashes your risk of heart disease and stroke," says Geagan. "These fats, in particular, have also been shown to help lift your mood, reduce feelings of anxiety, and fight depression." In addition to helping with mood, omega-3 fats also help reduce chronic inflammation, which can be a contributor to heart disease, joint pain, GI issues, and more.

Flaxseeds

These tiny seeds are one of the best plant-based sources of healthy, polyunsaturated fats, and are an excellent way for people who don't eat seafood to get in their omegas (and reap those cardiovascular benefits). While all flaxseed is good, the fatty acids are actually at their most bioavailable (translation: usable by the body) in oil form. Flaxseed oil tastes mildly nutty and slightly bitter, and can be swapped out for olive oil in a vinaigrette. Milled flaxseed is preferable to whole in terms of bioavailability, which you can purchase in most grocery stores. Try mixing a tablespoon or two into your morning smoothie or adding to chocolate chip cookies for a mild, nutty flavor.

Source: 5 Healthy Fat Foods to Eat More Of | Real Simple

New Study Shows That Eating Omega-3s Is Directly Linked to a Longer Lifespan—These Are the Top 5 Food Sources

The evidence that omega-3s, in particular, is important for health is further confirmed by a new study published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Researchers set out to determine if there is a connection between omega-3s and longevity by tracking 2,240 participants over 11 years and analyzing the omega-3 levels in their blood. So, what did they find out? The researchers discovered that having higher levels of omega-3s in the blood could predict a lower mortality rate in people over the age of 65 years. According to their analysis, people with high omega-3 levels in their blood who did not smoke had the highest survival estimate.

So, why are omega-3 foods correlated with living longer? "Omega-3s are associated with heart health benefits and may have a role in combating inflammation," explains Amanda Baker Lemein, RD, who is unaffiliated with the study. She adds that omega-3 fatty acids occur in several different forms, many of which are found in the most nutrient-rich foods.

"The three main omega-3 fatty acids include alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)," Lemein says. "Omega-6s are also fatty acids, mainly found in vegetable oils. While both types of fatty acids are unsaturated fats and important for heart health, omega-6s are more readily available in the typical Western diet. So in order to keep a more balanced ratio of omega-6s to omega-3s, experts recommend increasing one’s intake of omega-3 foods, which [by contrast] are often lacking in the typical Western diet."

the five top omega-3 foods for heart health and longevity:

1. Fatty fish

Fish is one of the best omega-3 foods, according to Lemein. Fatty fish like salmon, sardines, tuna, and mackerel are particularly high in the nutrient. "Many nutrition experts recommend starting simple by including two servings of fatty fish per week into your daily diet," Lemein says.

2. Flaxseeds

Flaxseeds may be small, but Lemein says they're full of omega-3s. In fact, their high omega-3 content is the reason that they've been linked to helping protect against cardiovascular disease. Besides omega-3 fatty acids, flaxseeds are also a good source of magnesium, thiamine, and fiber.

3. Chia seeds

Another small-but-mighty seed Lemein says are packed with healthy fats: chia seeds. While they are similar to flaxseeds in size, they're actually from two different plants. Chia seeds are higher in fiber and protein than flaxseeds, but they are both strong sources of omega-3s. Whichever one you prefer, you're instantly increasing the nutrient density to your meal by adding a teaspoon.

4. Walnuts

All nuts are nutrient-rich, but as far as foods with omega-3s go, walnuts are the nuts that deliver the most. It's why the nut has been linked to increased cardiovascular health, improved cognitive function, decreased symptoms of depression, and overall reduced inflammation.

5. Algae oils

What you cook with can also add more omega-3s to your meal. Lemein says algae oil in particular is a rich source of the fatty acid. Other cooking oils with omega-3s include canola oil, flaxseed oil, and walnut oil—no surprise with the latter two, right?

"Consuming adequate amounts of foods with omega-3s is an important part of any diet," Lemein says. That starts with the foods she highlighted above. It's a good thing these food sources all happen to be delicious because, if science is any indicator, working them into your diet regularly means there's a good chance you'll be eating them for a very long time.

Consuming Omega-3 Foods Is Linked to Living Longer | Well+Good (wellandgood.com)

USDA Prospective Plantings Report Shows Increased Flax Acres in 2021

Growers intend to plant 400,000 acres of flaxseed in 2021, an increase of 31 percent from last year.  Acreage in North Dakota, the largest flax-producing state, is expected to be up 43 percent, or 85,000 acres from 2020.  Acreage in Montana is expected to increase 10 percent from last year.

Living Ag Classrooms Online

Each spring the Living Ag Classroom travels across North Dakota with more than 5,000 fourth and fifth graders in attendance. While in-person Living Ag Classrooms were not held this spring, the commodity groups, agencies and associations that teach students have put their presentations into an online resource housed on the North Dakota Department of Agriculture’s Agriculture in the Classroom website.

“Teachers from across the state are invited to utilize the videos, North Dakota Ag Mags and resources with their students,” Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring said, “Kids enjoy seeing where their food comes from and how animals are cared for. The Living Ag Classroom is an excellent tool for the teachers in our state.”

Some of the resources serve as stand-alone lessons, while others can be used to supplement other classroom activities.

The Living Ag Classroom presentations may be found on the North Dakota Agriculture in the Classroom website at www.nd.gov/ndda/ag-classroom/living-ag-classroom.

North Dakota Agriculture in the Classroom is a program of the North Dakota Department of Agriculture that provides free curriculum, educational resources, grants, outreach, and professional development opportunities to increase agricultural literacy through K-12 education.

2018 Flax Research Update

Flax Growers Receive Benefit on WHIP+ Factor Change

North Dakota flax producers unable to harvest 2019 flax were given an improved formula for determining payment amounts based on changes reflecting current harvest technologies.  AmeriFlax officially asked that the state FSA Committee update the factor used when computing payments for unharvested flax acres.  The old factor was based on the assumption that most flax is swathed. 

“Today’s flax crop is primarily straight cut, so we saw the need to update the formula so that it better reflected the shift in flax harvesting methods over the last two decades,” said AmeriFlax Board President Mike Axness of Des Lacs.  “We are very appreciative of the state FSA office responding so quickly to our request for a change.”

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) deadline to submit applications for disaster recovery assistance through the Wildfire and Hurricane Indemnity Program Plus (WHIP+) for 2018 and 2019 losses was Friday, Oct. 30.

The program compensates producers for losses due to hurricanes, floods, snowstorms, tornadoes, typhoons, volcanic activity, drought, excessive moisture, and wildfires occurring in calendar years 2018 and 2019.

Drought and excessive moisture were added as eligible losses for the program in March 2020. To date, FSA has received more than 145,000 applications for WHIP+ disaster assistance.

FLAX PRODUCTION NDSU

Extension staff have revised the “Flax Production in North Dakota” (A1038, Figure 1) brochure. The publication is intended for producers, consultants, and those interested in flax production. The text covers history and use of flax, plant growth and development, fertilizing, seeding, basic plant adaptation, crop production, variety and field selection, fertilization, seeding, weed control, pest management, harvesting and storage.

Flax production has a long history. Flax remnants were found in Stone Age dwellings in Switzerland, and ancient Egyptians made fine linens from flax fiber. Flax production moved west across the northern U.S. and Canada during the 1800s. North Dakota is the leading producer of flax for oil and food use in the U.S.

Select a variety adapted to your area. Variety descriptions and recent yield performance can be obtained in NDSU Extension publication A1105, “North Dakota Flax Variety Trial Results and Selection Guide,” available on the NDSU Extension website.

Flax should be sown into firm, moist soil. A well-prepared, firm seedbed will ensure sowing at the proper depth. This, in turn, will result in uniform germination and rapid, even emergence. We recommend a planting depth of 0.75 to 1.5 inches. A stand of 70 plants per square foot is desired. However, if uniform, stands of 30 to 40 plants per square foot may provide a satisfactory yield. As stands drop below 30 plants per square foot, weed competition and delayed maturity are potential problems.

Early seeded flax generally produces the highest yields. Early seeding normally occurs in late April for most of the state except the northeast, where early May seeding is more likely.

Flax is a self-pollinating crop. Seed is produced in a boll or capsule. A complete boll can have 10 seeds, but most bolls will have fewer, averaging around six seeds. Heat stress during flowering may reduce the pollen viability and pollination, which results in a reduced number of seeds per boll and or fewer bolls per plant.

Hans Kandel - Extension Agronomist Broadleaf Crops

Flax Stocks Levels Lowest in 15 Years

The flax market in 2020 looks to be strong based on weather impacts from this past season.  The unusually wet fall in North Dakota and an early-season snowstorm caused heavy damage to the flax crop.  Many fields that were not harvested prior to the early October storm remain unharvested.  The fields that were harvested after the storm had low test weight flax and other damage, resulting in large discounts and in some cases, rejection of the crop.

The wet weather also caused damage to seed flax grown in North Dakota.  In fact, the Langdon and Minot Research Centers were unable to harvest some varieties of flax for seed increase.  Other seed growers faced the same difficulties across the state.  This will result in a lower than expected seed supply going into the 2020 season, which, combined with a lower production of flax in both North Dakota and Canada, will impact prices.  Growers are encouraged to secure seed supply early in order to ensure planting intentions.

Canada has exported 32% less flax than last year as of January 19, according to the Canadian Grain Commission.  Domestic use is down 20%, to its lowest level in eight years.   According to Agriculture & Agri-food Canada (AAFC), its December update indicates flax production is down 30% from two years ago and ending stocks for the current marketing season are projected to be down a whopping 76% from two years ago.  In fact, it revised its ending stocks figure for flax from 70,000 mt down to 30,000 mt from the November to December report. This will be the lowest ending stocks figure for flax in 15 years. 

For the U.S., ending stocks figures are projected to drop 50% in 2020, to the lowest level in five years.  These projections will be updated in March by the USDA’s Economic Research Service.  Abandonment of flax acres in Canada is expected to exceed 11%, compared to an average of 1%.  Even higher abandonment is expected in North Dakota. 

The AAFC increased its flax price projection range on the high end from Canadian $480/mt to $530/mt from the September to December reports.  This is an increase of approximately 50 cents per bushel, to an average of U.S. $9.75/bu.  While ending stocks levels are not the only price determinant for flax, the low levels will certainly provide a significant boost for flax prices in 2020.

Reports are coming in out of Canada that one of the crops being heavily affected by poor harvest weather is flax.  The small amounts of flax harvested have had reports of quality issues and low test weights.  In North Dakota, the latest crop progress report shows that 78 percent of the flax has been harvested.  This has resulted in flax bids strengthening.  Putting a potential cap on a flax price rally is the flax harvest in Russia and Kazakhstan.  The latest reports out of that region indicate continuing drought conditions.  This could result in flax prices staying strong into the 2020 crop year.

Flax exports from Canada are clearly off to a slow start. As of week 10, 8,300 mt has been shipped through licensed terminals, down 82% from 2018-19 and 77% below the five-year average pace. Tight carryout stocks for 2018-19 combined with a delayed harvest are partially behind this, with Saskatchewan estimating 24% of the province's crop harvested, as of Oct. 14, which compares to a normal rate of 60% complete. This week's Manitoba Crop Report estimated the flax harvest at 45% complete, below the three-year average of 88%. The current pace of exports projects forward to a crop-year total of 118,260 mt, well below the current AAFC forecast of 500,000 mt. Domestic use also lags last year, as 7,300 mt have been consumed compared to 8,800 mt at this time last year.

Healthy Oilseeds Beats Unhealthy Trade Barriers

U.S. Commercial Service helps Carrington company overcome trade barriers in two countries

Healthy Oilseeds, a processor and exporter of grains and oilseeds from Carrington, ND, recently encountered trade barriers while exporting to Peru and Algeria. With the help of the US Commercial Service (CS), Healthy Oilseeds was able to remove these barriers and successfully complete sales in both countries. A first-time exporter to Algeria, Healthy Oilseeds received a notice in French from a third party about new regulations, where Algerian importers were now required to wire 120% of payment for imported goods to banks thirty days before a shipment leaves port for Algeria. These regulations took effect in October 2017, at the time that Healthy Oilseeds had a shipment en route to Algeria. The regulation served as a way for the Algerian government to better account for incoming shipments, as well as cover possible weakening in the Algerian Dinar during the thirty-day posting and time at sea. Gussiaas contacted CS North Dakota for urgent assistance, and over a weekend, CS North Dakota Director Heather Ranck contacted the Senior Commercial Officer at the U.S. Commercial Service office in Algiers, and he quickly replied that the regulation only applies to finished goods, so Healthy Oilseeds’ products were exempt from the regulation. CS North Dakota staff also quickly facilitated a required document translation into French, as one of the students working at CS North Dakota was a fluent French speaker. With this assistance, Healthy Oilseeds successfully completed the transaction in Algeria. Healthy Oilseeds also conquered a trade barrier in Peru. After participating in a trade mission, five Peruvian companies were interested in buying from Healthy Oilseeds. However, after the order had already been processed, they were informed that Peru allowed shipment from Canada and Bolivia, but not the US. Soon after this problem emerged, Steve Presing from the Enforcement and Compliance (E&C) division of the US Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration came to Fargo for the ND Trade Office annual conference in April 2018, when he learned about this trade barrier directly from Gussiaas at a ND District Export Council meeting. E&C works to remove or reduce foreign trade barriers for US companies. When Presing returned to Washington, DC, he contacted APHIS (USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service) and APHIS worked with the Peruvian plant protection agency to verify that the product passed all phytosanitary tests, thus helping Healthy Oilseeds comply with requirements for the import of the product. Healthy Oilseed was then able to successfully deliver the product to their new customers. “We did not know where to turn to resolve these issues, and the U.S. Commercial Service not only made it easy to find the right people who could help us, but their intervention led to quick solutions. If Heather doesn’t have an answer she knows someone that can help,” said Roger Gussiaas, owner of Healthy Oilseeds. “The global network and the helpful attitudes of the staff within the U.S. Commercial Service is of tremendous value to businesses here in the United States.” For more information on Healthy Oilseeds, click here. For assistance with potential trade barriers, contact Heather Ranck at heather.ranck@trade.gov.

https://2016.export.gov/northdakota/build/groups/public/@eg_us_nd/documents/webcontent/eg_us_nd_125461.pdf

You Are What You Eat…or ARE you??

We’ve all been told the old adage that “you are what you eat.” Well, are we?

In general, we are.  We try our best, we eat our veggies, drink eight glasses of water each day, exercise, eat fresh, eat local, avoid trans-fat and on and on.  But when it comes to FLAX, are we doing our best?

You know that flax is good for you, but do you know why?  Did you know that flax is one of the top 10 Superfoods?  Superfoods are nutrient-rich food items that are healthy and good for your well-being.  Flax is full of omega-3 fatty acids that can help reduce inflammation, improve your brain function, and even possibly protect you against cancer and diabetes.  Flax provides essential nutrients made up of protein, essential fatty acids, and vitamins and minerals; and it even contains both soluble and insoluble dietary fiber.  Flax is made up of over 50% Omega-3 fatty acid.  Yes, flax is a true powerhouse!

One of the questions frequently asked about flax is how to incorporate more flax each day into the diet, beyond just swirling some in a morning glass of water or orange juice.  But there is so much more!  You can incorporate flax into nearly everything you eat…from baking it into your favorite savory dish, as well as putting it into cookies or a sandwich or roll-up or even top it on your favorite dessert.  Just 1 ½ tablespoons a day for women and 2 tablespoons for men…it’s that versatile!

Well, get your grind on!  The thing about flax is that the seed actually needs to be GROUND to get the full nutritional impact.  It has a thick outer shell or “hull” that actually protects the seed and keeps all of those yummy nutrients safe and sound.  But if you are eating whole flax seed that isn’t ground, you’re actually only consuming about 10% of the nutrition contained in the seed that this little power house can hold.  In essence, your teeth are grinding the seed with the food item that you are eating.  About 10% of the flaxseed actually comes into contact with your molars in the chewing process that we call “mastication.”  The rest just passes right on through your digestive system.  Yes, the seed is beautiful, but make sure and give your daily dose a quick grind in your coffee, spice or baby food mill and you are set!

Now, try this fantastic recipe for breakfast or any time for a great kickstart to your day:

Pear Flaxseed Smoothie

(2 large servings) plus extra

1 pear (skin on, diced, no core)

1 orange peeled and chopped

2 peeled frozen bananas (Just keep them chopped up in a Ziplock bag)

4 dates (chopped)

1 Tsp of vanilla bean paste or vanilla extract

1 Tbsp ground flaxseed

1 Tbsp diced ginger root

1 cup Flax milk

Blend all in a blender and give it a try.  You can add a few ice cubes to chill it off more and thin it out.

Story by: Sheri Coleman

USDA June Acreage Report Confirms Robust Flax Acres

The USDA, in its June Acreage Report, confirmed U.S. flax acres planted in 2019 are estimated at 355,000 acres.  This represents an increase of 71 percent from last year.  The June report is also in line with the Prospective Plantings Report issued earlier this year in March.

Flax acres planted in North Dakota, the largest flax producing state in the U.S., are estimated at 290,000 acres, up 76 percent from last year.  Montana acreage is estimated at 65,000 acres.

As of July 8th, flaxseed conditions in North Dakota rated 0 percent very poor, 2 poor, 20 fair, 74 good, and 4 excellent. Flaxseed blooming was 46 percent, behind 51 last year, and near 47 average.

In its May Oil Crops Outlook, the USDA indicated flaxseed production for 2019/20 is forecast at 7.7 million bushels, up from 4.5 million bushels in 2018.  Acreage tends to vary widely for flaxseed year to year, based on expected revenue of competing crops, particularly pulses and wheat. The 2019/20 price is forecast at $9.00 per bushel (based on larger supply in both the United States and Canada), down from the 2018/19 price of $9.80 per bushel.  Imports for 2019/20 are forecast down, based on ample domestic supply and relatively flat domestic demand, and ending stocks are forecast up. Most of the U.S. trade in flaxseed and products is with Canada, except for raw flax fiber imported from France.

In Canada, flax acres are estimated at seeded area for flaxseed in Canada is forecast to increase to 988,000 acres, on comparatively good prices versus alternate field crops. Production is forecast to rise to 0.60 Mt, assuming a normal abandonment and harvested area and 5-year average yields. Supply is forecast to increase slightly as higher output exceeds the slight drop in carry-in stocks.

Exports are forecast to rise to 0.50 Mt while total domestic use falls due to lower feed, waste and dockage.  Carry-out stocks are forecast unchanged at 0.09 Mt. Flaxseed prices are forecast at $480-520/t.

USDA Prospective Plantings Report Shows Strong Flax Acres in 2019

The USDA issued its 2019 Prospective Plantings Report recently and flax acres are expected to have a significant rebound from last year.

Growers intend to plant 345,000 acres of flaxseed nationwide, up 137,000 acres or 66 percent from 2018.  Acreage in North Dakota, the largest flax-producing state, is expected to be up 76 percent, or 125,000 acres, from 2018 to 290,000 acres.

USDA Annual Crop Production Report

The USDA issued its Annual Crop Production Report on February 8th.  The report indicated U.S. production of flaxseed in 2018 totaled 4.47 million bushels, up 16 percent from the previous year. Harvested area totaled 198,000 acres in 2018, down 27 percent from the previous year.

Harvested acreage in North Dakota, the largest flaxseed-producing State, was estimated at 158,000 acres, down 31 percent from 2017. The average United States yield for 2018, at 22.6 bushels per acre, was up 8.5 bushels from 2017. North Dakota’s estimated yield at 24 bushels per acre was a record high in 2018.

Flax Looks to be a Profitable Option for 2019

January 21, 2019, Bismarck, ND —Flax looks like a good option for growers in 2019.  Recent crop budgets from North Dakota State University show flax profits in many parts of the state.  Flax showed positive returns of $4 and $18 per acre in the northwestern and southwestern regions.  Many growers have consistently had flax yields over 30 bushels per acre, therefore based on this yield, net returns are projected at $79 per acre.  These expected returns are very similar to predictions made by both Saskatchewan and Manitoba agencies.

Robust year-round markets now make the traditional reasons for growing flaxseed even more attractive.  “Flax has always been an excellent rotation crop and lower input costs are a big advantage for growing flax,” says Blaine Schatz, NDSU agronomist at the Carrington Research Center.  Highly tolerant to sclerotinia, flax is sometimes called a pseudo-cereal crop.  “Whether a field has an issue with grass or broadleaf diseases, flax can break the disease cycle,” says Schatz.

Because it stores well and has some “shelf” life in the field, flax is a great peace-of-mind crop.  “You don’t have as much concern about it shattering or sprouting so harvest timing isn’t as critical,” says Schatz.  “Plus, you don’t have to worry about discounts when you go to market so you’re assured of getting the posted market price.”

            Expect to save on both nitrogen and phosphorus.  A 25- to 30- bushel flax crop will need 80 lbs. of N (including soil test N).  At a bushel per acre rate, seed costs are also typically lower for flax.         

Finally, because flax harvest typically falls on the backside of cool season crops and before full season crops like corn or sunflowers, flax can spread out the demand on harvest equipment and labor.  

Ameriflax is funding grower research that assesses harvest timing and harvest methods in flax and also flax tolerance to potential new herbicides for use in flax.  Final results will be released this fall.

Healthy Oilseeds Beats Unhealthy Trade Barriers

U.S. Commercial Service helps Carrington company overcome trade barriers in two countries

Healthy Oilseeds, a processor and exporter of grains and oilseeds from Carrington, ND, recently encountered trade barriers while exporting to Peru and Algeria. With the help of the US Commercial Service (CS), Healthy Oilseeds was able to remove these barriers and successfully complete sales in both countries. A first-time exporter to Algeria, Healthy Oilseeds received a notice in French from a third party about new regulations, where Algerian importers were now required to wire 120% of payment for imported goods to banks thirty days before a shipment leaves port for Algeria. These regulations took effect in October 2017, at the time that Healthy Oilseeds had a shipment en route to Algeria. The regulation served as a way for the Algerian government to better account for incoming shipments, as well as cover possible weakening in the Algerian Dinar during the thirty-day posting and time at sea. Gussiaas contacted CS North Dakota for urgent assistance, and over a weekend, CS North Dakota Director Heather Ranck contacted the Senior Commercial Officer at the U.S. Commercial Service office in Algiers, and he quickly replied that the regulation only applies to finished goods, so Healthy Oilseeds’ products were exempt from the regulation. CS North Dakota staff also quickly facilitated a required document translation into French, as one of the students working at CS North Dakota was a fluent French speaker. With this assistance, Healthy Oilseeds successfully completed the transaction in Algeria. Healthy Oilseeds also conquered a trade barrier in Peru. After participating in a trade mission, five Peruvian companies were interested in buying from Healthy Oilseeds. However, after the order had already been processed, they were informed that Peru allowed shipment from Canada and Bolivia, but not the US. Soon after this problem emerged, Steve Presing from the Enforcement and Compliance (E&C) division of the US Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration came to Fargo for the ND Trade Office annual conference in April 2018, when he learned about this trade barrier directly from Gussiaas at a ND District Export Council meeting. E&C works to remove or reduce foreign trade barriers for US companies. When Presing returned to Washington, DC, he contacted APHIS (USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service) and APHIS worked with the Peruvian plant protection agency to verify that the product passed all phytosanitary tests, thus helping Healthy Oilseeds comply with requirements for the import of the product. Healthy Oilseed was then able to successfully deliver the product to their new customers. “We did not know where to turn to resolve these issues, and the U.S. Commercial Service not only made it easy to find the right people who could help us, but their intervention led to quick solutions. If Heather doesn’t have an answer she knows someone that can help,” said Roger Gussiaas, owner of Healthy Oilseeds. “The global network and the helpful attitudes of the staff within the U.S. Commercial Service is of tremendous value to businesses here in the United States.” For more information on Healthy Oilseeds, click here. For assistance with potential trade barriers, contact Heather Ranck at heather.ranck@trade.gov.

Some Marketers Advise Selling Portion of 2018 Flax Production

Some market firms have advised selling a quarter to a third of your 2018 production at prices of $10 per bushel as cash prices have ticked higher this summer.  Traders do note, though, that there is no reason for flax prices to go down.

Forecasts for U.S. production are down significantly from past years as flax acres have taken a back seat to other crops.  Total planted acreage in 2018 was forecast at 168,000 acres in USDA’s June 30 Acreage Report, just over half of last year’s acres. However, in reviewing the September Farm Service Agency Crop Acreage Data, https://www.fsa.usda.gov/news-room/efoia/electronic-reading-room/frequently-requested-information/crop-acreage-data/index, North Dakota flax acres came in at just over 150,000, which is 40,000 acres higher than the June 30 USDA estimate.

This recent FSA report indicates total U.S. flax acreage at 208,000.  Given normal acreage abandonment, if yields average 22 bushels per acre, this will result in total production of 4.5 million bushels, 18 percent higher than last year’s drought impacted production, but half the production from 2016.  Actual yields will not be known until USDA publishes its Annual Crop Production Report in January.  Those actual numbers will be posted on this website when published. 

In Canada, Stats Canada estimates planted acres of 856,800.  This will result in 19.4 million bushels, down 11 percent from last year’s 21.8 million bushels.  This is below trade expectations following a revision lower in planted acres.  This estimate may increase as much of Canadian flax was grown in areas that received good moisture this season.

Decreased North American production has been price supportive, resulting in prices in this region higher than the rest of the world.  Marketers do note that this does not indicate a topping in the flax market, rather an opportunity to sell a portion of this year’s production at a level that has met resistance in recent years.

Two statistical reporting agencies in Canada differ in their estimate of flax carryout levels for this year’s crop.  In its August 17th Outlook for Principal Field Crops Report, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) reported ending stocks to be 85,000 mt.  More recently, Stats Canada reported ending stocks will likely be just 67,000 mt, 21% lower than AAFC’s estimate! This ending stock level is considered very tight.

Stone Mill, partners ride a wave of customer desire for clean, raw grains

RICHARDTON, N.D. — Stone Mill LLC seems to be an island of prosperity amid the stormy seas of agricultural commodity prices and trade woes.

The Richardton food manufacturer is in what the food industry is called the "whole, clean" ingredient market. That market has been exploding in recent years due to perceived health benefits. The company produces organic and non-GMO flaxseed (brown and yellow), garbanzo beans (chickpeas), lentils, quinoa, chia and radish seed.The company in January started up a flax cleaning line in a multi-million flax and pulse crop processing plant expansion that will use less labor. The plant includes high-tech cleaning and pasteurization equipment. They expect to add a pulse line in 2019 and will have room for two more. Continue story…

The 2018 AmeriFlax Research Projects Selected

During the recent spring board meeting for AmeriFlax, the AmeriFlax board has reviewed and determined

the following research projects for the 2018 growing year. In 2017, research allocations were increased and those projects with an agronomic focus were weighted higher in selection. Below you will find a brief description and the author of each project. To best utilize the flax checkoff dollars in North Dakota, the board believes that these projects will have the biggest impact for growers in the state and greatest financial benefit. AmeriFlax also tries to balance the geographic locations of the projects within the state.

“Insect Pollinator Effect on Flax Yield” by Mike Ostlie of the Carrington Research Center             $11,100

Pollinator plantings are being encouraged as part of some government conservation programs as well as being promoted as good environmental stewardship for some land-uses. This study is looking to identify the role of insect pollinators on flax yield to see if there could be a synergy between crop production and pollinator habitat. Flax yield and quality will be the primary evaluation for this study. The main treatment to compare yield and oil content between plots in which bee pollinators are able to visit, and plots in which pollinators are excluded. Pollinators will also be identified to further understand which populations of bees are most important to flax. If insects are contributing a sizable portion to flax productivity, it stands to reason that enhancing surrounding habitat for pollinator success would lead to more economic stability for flax producers. This study will further focus on any yield and quality differences to be translated directly into economic loss or gain, based on the imposed treatments.

“Influence of Harvest Management Strategies on Flax Yield and Quality” by Blaine Schatz of the Carrington Research Center  $8,660

Continuing ongoing research that was initiated in 2017, the primary objective of this project is to determine how the different approaches farmers may utilize for harvesting a flax crop and how it might affect the ultimate seed yield and associated oil content a quality of that crop. Currently, as producers anticipate the harvest operation, they will follow a practice of either windrowing (swathing) the crop or will apply an herbicide desiccant at physiological maturity. Physiological maturity in any crop is the growth stage when that crop has achieved maximum dry matter deposition in the seed. Both windrowing and the application of a desiccant at physiological maturity, should permit seed yield and oil content/quality to be optimized. Using a multispectral camera mounted on an unmanned aerial system can help to assess boll color and maturity. In practice, flax producers will initiate the harvest operation based on their determination that the crop has reached physiological maturity. Crop condition factors, along with the challenges in assessing the brown boll state, could result in windrowing or desiccation prior to actual physiological maturity. In theory, if flax is terminated by either windrowing or desiccation before physiological maturity, the seed yield would be reduced and oil content or quality would be impacted. This project will provide information that will clarify whether flax harvest strategies have an influence on seed yield, oil content and oil quality. Further information will be gathered on the effectiveness of different herbicide desiccants that producers may select as a harvesting aid. Aerial imagery will be used to determine any opportunities for remote sensing management aid.

“Flax Breeding for Increasing Yield and Oil Per Acre” by Mukhlesur Rahman, Plant Sciences, NDSU         $15,000

Continuing on the research completed by Dr. James Hammond, this project continues to determine and look at new flax genetic lines. New crosses are made each year and progeny is constantly moved through the “breeding pipeline.” This project will include traditional breeding activities. The identification of improved flax breeding lines that are candidates for variety release and best suited for North Dakota/northern great plains. Both brown and gold-seeded lines are being developed which look at being most acceptable to processors and end-user and most viable to producers. Based on agronomic performance, current materials will be identified using replicated yield trials from multiple locations across North Dakota. Quality, yield and disease resistance will be of greatest priority in determination.

“Flax Variety Trials” by Eric Eriksmoen, NDSU Research Center, Minot  $3000

For support of ongoing flax variety trials that are composed of 15 varieties and experimental lines grown in ND at six NDSU Research Extension Centers across the state. Also included will be an organic trial as well as an irrigated trial. Data generated from these trials will provide information and varietal comparisons of agronomic, seed quality and seed yields to support variety development and recommendations.

“Flaxseed Protein Isolate as Alternative Protein for New Food Applications: Influence of Isolation Processing on Functional Properties of Flaxseed Protein Isolate” by Jiajia Rao, Plant Sciences, NDSU    $12,210

Based on the world demand for protein sources due to population growth, flaxseed protein will be evaluated for protein isolation in food application. The functional properties of thermal stability, solubility, emulsification and foaming will be evaluated for applications in food sources. Only a few studies have been done historically. There is a general lack of knowledge on the US flaxseed crops (flaxseed protein) through the development of high flaxseed protein food as in physicochemical properties of flaxseed protein isolates and under testing conditions. Therefore, the primary objective of this research is to promote the US flaxseed crops with flaxseed protein through the development of high flaxseed protein food. In that context, the aim of this project is to gain fundamental understanding of how the protein extraction processing and protein isolation techniques impact the physicochemical and functional properties as compared those commonly already used in the market.

“Impacts of Flax on Female and Male Reproductive Traits When Supplemented Prior to Breeding in Sheep”

(Year 2)      by C.S. Schauer, NDSU Hettinger Research Extension Center             $21,954

This proposed research will evaluate the effect of flaxseed on conception rate in commercial range ewes. The diets will be balanced for fatty acids. The hypothesis is that an increase in conception rate and lambing percentages in ewes fed flaxseed compared to that of the control. Additionally, evaluation of the effect of flaxseed on the morphology and concentration of the sperm in rams. It is expected to increase the concentration and overall improvement of sperm morphology as compared to the control. Successful pregnancies are the foundation of profitability for the sheep industry and its producers. This research will attempt to increase the fertility of rams and to increase ovulation rate and fetal vitality of ewes. If successful, this data will suggest flaxseed as the feedstuff of choice to use in preparation of rams for the breeding season and in flushing ewes during the pre-breeding season. Producers expect to see increases in first time mating conception and increase in lamb crop if the trial proves successful. North Dakota has over 52,000 head of breeding sheep that may be impacted by this project. For the 52,000 ewes, it requires over 2500 head of rams to initiate pregnancy. A feeling protocol utilizing flax, either as a supplemental grain or incorporated into a free choice block, would improve pregnancy rate in ewes and improved reproductive efficiency. This in turn, increases market demand for locally produced flax seed.

Watch a quick informational video on Flax Below