As the 2008 harvest season approaches, flax growers should give extra attention to their harvest and post-harvest practices. Processors pay premiums for foodgrade flax when it meets their quality standards. |
Last spring, due to low supply, processors paid as much as a $4 per-bushel premium over the elevator price for good quality food-grade flax. Usually, these premiums range from $0.50 to $1 per bushel. |
There is a strong demand for food-grade flax in Europe and the United States. To be accepted as premium quality, food-grade flax must exceed Canadian Grain Commission standards. In general, the seed should have good uniformity and contain no inseparable foreign seeds such as lady’s thumb, black medic, smart weed or wild buckwheat. The seed moisture content should be nine to 9.5 per cent or lower. The sample should be free of green and cracked seeds, and should contain more than 41 per cent oil. Food-grade flax has to be 99.9 per cent pure. Most of the flax varieties grown in Western Canada are suitable for food use. Flax used in the pet food market follows similar grading standards as flax for human consumption. |
Here are some useful tips to follow to achieve food-grade standards.
- Generally, flax that was seeded early into a clean field has a better chance of making food grade.
- Use only registered crop protection products.
- Do not desiccate the crop because desiccated flax generally cannot qualify for food-grade status.
- Keep lower quality flax that has been grown in weedy or flooded areas separate from the high quality flax intended for the human food market.
- To avoid earth tag, some farmers roll their seedbed with a landroller and straight-combine.
- To obtain food-grade flax premiums, do not harvest too early when it is green, or too late when it is weathered.
- Pay attention to weather conditions as bolls soak up rainwater and produce dark kernels.
- Clean trucks, augers and bins thoroughly.
- Be prepared to aerate flax to bring the seed moisture content down.
- Store food-grade flax in clean, tightly sealed steel bins to avoid contamination by birds and rodents. Flax that is left in the field over winter is not likely suitable for the human food market.
|
Remember, consumers buy food-grade flax based on its appearance and processors treat
the sample as a ready-to-eat and clean food. |
For more information, contact:
Venkata Vakulabharanam
Provincial Specialist, Oilseed Crops
Regina, SK
Tel. (306) 787-4668
|
|
