Less Oil in 2006 Flax Crop

WINNIPEG - Oct 17/06 - SNS -- Canada's flaxseed harvest looks to have a lower oil content than last year, while protein levels are up, according to D. R. DeClercq, Oilseeds Chemist, Grain Research Laboratory, Canadian Grain Commission (CGC).

As of October 13, the CGC has tested 284 samples received from across western Canada, including: 113 from Manitoba, 165 from Saskatchewan, and 6 from Alberta and the Peace River area in British Columbia.

"Currently, overall total seed damage is very low. According to industry estimates, 90% of the harvested crop is No.1 Canada Western compared to 85% in 2005 and only 42% in 2004, a year with an early frost. However, later-arriving samples could be lower in grade due to higher incidences of damaged seed such as frosted or immaturity," DeClercq said.

Tests on preliminary samples show that the mean oil content is 45.7% (dry matter basis). This is a decrease of 0.5% from the record high 2005 final mean of 46.2%. Since the 10-year mean (1996 2005) is 44.5% we are expecting an above-average oil content for 2006 in spite of the very hot, dry growing conditions.

Preliminary seed protein levels have increased to 23.9% (dry matter basis) compared to the 2005 final average (22.0%) and are notably higher than the 10-year mean of 23.0%.

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