Flax - a crop with a lot of potential

Driving between Brandon and Portage la Prairie on Monday October 2, I watched a combine in action on a field of flax. For many years now, going back to the days when I was involved with medical research, I have been pushing for more research into the health benefits of flax and its components. We know that flax is rich in omega 3 fatty acids, and that such fatty acids have health benefits. We also know that flax is rich in lignans and that these compounds may reduce the likelihood of developing certain types of cancer. But there remains much more to learn. It is an example of where research can have an impact on the market for and the price of a major agricultural product grown in western Canada.