A field of flax plants in full bloom.

Newly formed oilseeds organization introduced

SaskCanola and SaskFlax make their final presentations as SaskOilseeds gets to work representing producers’ interests

REGINA — SaskOilseeds took the stage as the newest provincial crop commission earlier this month, with the final presentations from SaskCanola and SaskFlax and the reveal of a new logo. The merger of the two was official Aug. 1, and after wrapping up some final financial transactions, the new entity has settled in to handle […] Read more

Flax acreage is expected to be up in Russia, although there are no official numbers yet, said Sergey Pluzhnikov, head of the pulses desk with DM Agro Trade and founder of Russian Pulses Analytics. | File photo

Black Sea region expected to produce more flax

The crop is faring better than others in Russia's drought-hit regions, and acreage is anticipated to be higher than last year

SASKATOON — Black Sea flax growers are hoping for a rebound year. Acreage is expected to be up in Russia, although there are no official numbers yet, said Sergey Pluzhnikov, head of sales for Temporia Capital Company and founder of Russian Pulses Analytics. Related stories: Russian farmers planted 3.46 million acres of the oilseed last […] Read more

The Saskatchewan Flax Development Commission’s check-off revenues have not been good in recent years, largely due to low acres and yields.  |  File photo

Canola-flax merger gets final approval

SASKATOON — Saskatchewan’s canola and flax growers have voted to approve the amalgamation of their two grower groups. Resolutions were passed at both the Saskatchewan Canola Development Commission (SaskCanola) and Saskatchewan Flax Development Commission (SaskFlax) annual general meetings. “The collaborative efforts are expected to streamline operations, enhance research initiatives and provide a more cohesive voice […] Read more


Producer support for the merger of SaskCanola and SaskFlax was "overwhelming," the groups said in a Jan. 10 news release. | Screencap via saskcanola.com

Sask. canola, flax groups vote to merge

SaskCanola and SaskFlax have been sharing offices, admin for about a year

Saskatchewan flax and canola growers approved plans to amalgamate their organizations in a Jan. 9 vote. Producer support for the merger of SaskCanola and SaskFlax was “overwhelming,” the groups said in a Jan. 10 news release. The organizations held a joint annual general meeting to share results of member feedback before taking the issue to […] Read more

Some growers have expressed concern that ‘flax might be swallowed up by canola’ if the two commissions amalgamate. | Screencap via saskcanola.com

Producer input sought on proposed flax-canola merger

Two Saskatchewan oilseed commissions are seeking feedback from growers on a possible amalgamation. The Saskatchewan Canola Development Commission and the Saskatchewan Flax Development Commission sent notices in the mail to farmers asking them to participate in an online survey. “Mostly, we want to find out if there’s any major concerns that maybe our boards haven’t […] Read more


Close-up of a flax plant in bloom with purple flowers.

Flax area expected to be smallest since 1950

Statistics Canada expects 689,000 acres of the crop will be planted this spring, an 11.6 percent drop from a year earlier

Greg Sundquist, chair of the Saskatchewan Flax Development Commission (SaskFlax), said flax is disease resistant compared to canola, as well as cheaper to grow and can be quite profitable. He said the lack of flax acres will become a temporary setback.