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Background
Flax (Linum usitatissimum) is one of the oldest crops, having been grown since the beginning of civilization. Flax was cultivated primarily for its use in linens. Burial chambers dating back to about 3000 B.C. depict flax cultivation and clothing from flax fibers.
Flax was first introduced to the United States by colonists, primarily to produce fiber for clothing. As the United States grew and more buildings were constructed, the need increased for flaxseed oil, commonly called linseed oil, for use in paints. The demand for flaxseed meal for livestock and poultry feed also increased. As a result, the flax processing industry was developed in the late 18th century. By the 1940s, however, cotton had replaced flax as a commonly used fiber in the United States, and flax became nearly extinct as a crop. March 2008 . . . Flax
Marketing
- Ameriflax - Trade organization that represents North Dakota flax producers.
- A new and old crop for the Midwest, New Farm, 2004 - This article highlights the Iowa flax project.
- Flax: Bushels of Promise, Ag Innovation News, Agricultural Utilization Research Institute, 2003 - This newspaper provides a flax market overview and identifies four general areas of opportunity: nutraceuticals, omega-3 eggs, industrial uses and livestock feed.
- Flax Council of Canada - Provides background information about food products, nutrition, suppliers, research, statistics and history of the flax industry.
- Flax Fiber for Value-Added Bio-Based Products, Quality Assessment Research Unit, Agicultural Research Service, USDA - Project highlight on flax fiber.
- Flax Fiber Has New International Standards, Agricultural Research Service, USDA, 2005 - This article provides information on new standards for flax fiber.
- Flax Fiber Offers Cotton Cool Comfort, Agricultural Research Service, USDA, 2005 - This news article highlights research regarding using flax in denim.
- Prairie Fare: Some Facts about Flax, North Dakota State University, 2001 - This article provides information about the market potential for flax, especially flaxseed.
Production
- Can Organic Flax Initiative Save the Family Farm in Iowa?, Spectrum Organic Products, 2004 - Spectrum Organics, in partnership with BIOWA Nutraceuticals, opens an Iowa plant that the company believes is the world's largest production facility dedicated to organic, plant-based EFA oils.
- Feeding Flax to Improve Health, Beef Benefits, Iowa Farmer Today, 2005 - A Missouri farmer uses flax in his cattle herd.
- Fiber Flax Farming Practices in the Southeastern United States, Plant Management Network, 2003.
- Flax, The National Non-Food Crops Centre, Heslington, York, U.K.
- Flax: Alternative Field Crops Manual, University of Wisconsin and University of Minnesota, 1997 - This joint publication provides production and marketing information as well as economic and historical information of flax.
- Flax Institute of the United States - This informational resource provides contacts for seed and other resources, such as annual institute proceedings and related information.
- Flax Page, North Dakota State University - Provides information for the grower, consumer and researcher about flaxseed oil, meal and fiber.
- Flax Production in North Dakota, North Dakota State University, 2002 - This publication covers production information and statistics for flax production in North Dakota.
- Flaxseed: Health Food for Feeder Cattle, Kansas State University, 2005 - Supplementing beef cattle rations with ground flaxseed consistently boosts Omega 3 fatty acid levels in beef.
- Grower Experiences with Flax and Linola in Eastern Washington, 1997-2000, Washington State University for Western Region SARE, 2001 - This publication examines the production, marketing and grower experiences associated with flax in the North and Northwestern United States.
- Using Flax in Livestock Diets, North Dakota State University Extension, 2005 - Flax can serve as a useful source of nutrients for most livestock because it is high in protein and an excellent source of energy and essential fatty acids.
- Value Chains Partnerships for a Sustainable Agriculture, Iowa State University, Flax Working Group - Has production guides and other resource information.
Processing
- Prizzey’s, Manitoba, Canada - This value-added processor supplies flaxseed ingredients customized to the specific needs of the food, beverage and nutritional products industries.
Businesses/Case Studies
- Flax Farmer Profiles, The New American Farmer, Sustainable Agriculture and Research Education (SARE), USDA - This program offers producer profiles that look at how specific farmers are exploring sustainability.
Links checked May 2008.
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