Generating a profit from oilseed flax straw

Non-Peer ReviewedMost Prairie farmers who grow oilseed flax straw have problems dealing with the straw that is produced as a byproduct of producing flaxseed. The straw is either burnt, chopped with difficulty or sold for a very low price to the existing flax straw processors who are targeting the specialty paper and low end plastic reinforcement markets. This paper briefly examines some of the higher value and/or expanding markets for flax fiber based products. It will also outline new straw management techniques that are required to turn flax straw into a significant source of farmer profits