Weed Management Strategies for Organic Flax, 2005–2006

Demand for certified organic flax has increased due to a rise in human consumption of food products rich in omega-3 oil and due to the recent construction of a certified organic oilseed expelling facility in Cherokee, IA. Challenges exist to raising organic flax in the upper Midwest due to competition from weeds and limited information about weed management strategies for organic farmers. Weeds can reduce flax yield and repopulate the soil seed bank, increasing weed pressure in the future. In 2005 and 2006, research was conducted to assess: 1) which weed management strategies can best control weeds in flax, and 2) how do weeds affect flax grain yield.