Quality of western Canadian flaxseed 2022

Seeding and growing conditions

In Manitoba, heavy rains and an extremely wet spring delayed seeding by up to 4 weeks. By May 31, 2022, only 41% of the crop had been seeded, whereas 91% of the cop had been seeded in 2021. The majority of flaxseed was seeded by June 14. Harvest was extended due to late seeding and rain delays in the fall. By late October, 96% of the flax had been harvested.

In Saskatchewan, a late snow melt and cool temperatures delayed much of the seeding. Only 52% of the crop was seeded by mid-May and seeding was not complete until early June. Significant widespread rain helped with crop progression. By mid-July, most of the flaxseed crops were rated as being in fair to good condition and some were rated as excellent. Dry weather in September and October allowed producers to harvest without much delay. By mid-October, 95% of the crop was harvested.

Alberta experienced extremely dry conditions, with low surface moisture and cold temperatures, during seeding. Most of the crop was seeded by mid-May and seeding was completed by the end of May. Due to precipitation in June, 74% of the flaxseed crops were rated to be in good to excellent condition by mid-July. A very dry fall allowed harvest to proceed without any delays. Most of the crops were harvested by the second week of October.

Sources:

• Manitoba crop reports
• Saskatchewan crop reports
• Alberta crop reports