Selling Flax Straw
Currently, Saskatchewan flax producers have few options to sell their straw. There are two main markets:
1. Local buyers
Uses include:
- Flax bales for windbreaks
- Cattle bedding or cover for corral alleyways
- Horticultural mulch
- Traction source for oil well sites
Cattle operations utilize flax straw because it absorbs more moisture than wheat straw and helps keep cattle drier. As well, flax straw stands up better in high traffic areas, like cattle corrals and alleyways. Flax bales can help to protect against the effects of wind and water erosion.
2. Specialty Processors
At this time there are not any companies buying flax straw over a wide region or in large amounts on the Prairies.
Work continues on developing viable alternatives to burning and chopping while creating economic returns to farmers.