Crop Production Week: News Release

(Saskatoon, SK) – Saskatchewan producers who want answers about what will happen in the Canadian flax industry in 2010 will want to attend a one-day conference in Saskatoon on January 11. The Saskatchewan Flax Development Commission (SaskFlax) is organizing the annual meeting and conference. Flax Day 2010 will offer participants the chance to learn more about several industry topics, including the European market for Canadian flax, which has faced several challenges since the discovery of genetically modified materials in flax in early September.

“Producers are obviously concerned about our biggest market for Saskatchewan flax,” said Linda Braun, Executive Director of the Saskatchewan Flax Development Commission. “We want to offer our growers the opportunity to get some answers on the issue at our annual Flax Day conference.”

On the agenda to discuss the actions and strategies the industry is using to deal with the situation are Barry Hall, President of the Flax Council of Canada, Quinton Stewart, Merchandiser of Flax & Soybeans at Viterra, and David Sefton, Director on the SaskFlax Board. Larry Weber of Weber Commodities will also present a session on the flax market outlook in light of the market disruption.

Several other important topics will be covered at the annual flax conference:

Dr. Guy Lafond with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada at Indian Head will discuss the latest findings with regard to nitrogen use, seed placement, continuous cropping and straw management.
Dr. Paul Dribnenki, a flax breeder with Viterra, will talk about a joint project to develop new higher-yielding, northern-adapted flax varieties
A panel on new flax products, featuring Jim Downey, CEO of Shape Foods on heart-healthy flax oil and Darren Anweiler of the Saskatchewan Research Council about using flax straw for biomass gasification.
A panel on industry sustainability using a new visioning process, including Maria Wellisch of Natural Resources Canada, Allen Sturko at the National Research Council (IRAP) and Gregor Beck of SaskFlax.

Flax Day 2010 will take place on Monday, January 11, 2010, in Ballroom C at the Saskatoon Inn. Participants can register starting at 8AM for only $25.

For more details and to see the up-to-date agenda, visit the SaskFlax website: www.saskflax.com/flaxday.html

- 30 -

For more information, contact:

Linda Braun, Executive Director
Saskatchewan Flax Development Commission
Tel: 306-664-1901
Email: saskflax@saskflax.com
Web: www.saskflax.com

< Back to News Releases