Saskatchewan Flax Development Commission

Growing Flax

Management of Straw

There are several methods of handling flax straw. Recent research has indicated that none of the methods appear to affect the yield of a succeeding crop of wheat. However, if the crop residues are removed by burning or baling, it must be kept in mind that the soil will become more vulnerable to erosion if summerfallow succeeds flax. Therefore, an additional cereal crop following flax is required to rebuild crop residues. Where continuous cropping is practised, rebuilding crop residue becomes less of a concern.