AND HERE IT IS ALL NEATLY SUMMARIZED in the US Farm paper "AGWEEK" dated Jan 25/2010. John Duvenaud (publisher of "Wild Oats Grain Market Advisory" says
Winnipeg, Manitoba- European flax users are reeling from the closure of Canadian Flax imports after the discovery of the Triffid gene in German muffins. They operated on inventory for a few weeks, or closed, but are coming back to normal operations through American imports. American imports are not subject to the same degree of Triffid testing as Canadian imports. The American flax mostly comes from Canada or is replaced by Canadian imports.
US flax exports quadrupled after the Triifid episode, while imports from Canada doubled. Canadian exports have resumed, but few commercials risk sending a vessel. Shipments are mainly by container.
The trade floated a trial ballon in December that would have required all flax farmers to use certified seed to be able to sell to elevators. The same people who got every farmer to sign an affidavit attesting to their class of wheat, with unspecified liabilities, after the government got rid of KVD, must have thought this up. Turns out there are too may alternative flax buyers to enforce that. Still, most buyers do require that a farmers flax be tested for Triffid before delivery. The test costs a $100 dollars and takes three weeks, unless you pay $300 for a quick response.
The sobering conclusion of that extensive testing is that the Triffid gene is everywhere across the prairies including in pedigreed seed. If your flax tests negative, count yourself lucky and don't be sure your next test will pass. The trade has adapted. Flax without Triffid goes to Europe and, to a lesser extent, Brazil. Flax with Triffid goes to the United States. Trade is brisk at $8.50 per bushel.
Winnipeg, Manitoba- European flax users are reeling from the closure of Canadian Flax imports after the discovery of the Triffid gene in German muffins. They operated on inventory for a few weeks, or closed, but are coming back to normal operations through American imports. American imports are not subject to the same degree of Triffid testing as Canadian imports. The American flax mostly comes from Canada or is replaced by Canadian imports.
US flax exports quadrupled after the Triifid episode, while imports from Canada doubled. Canadian exports have resumed, but few commercials risk sending a vessel. Shipments are mainly by container.
The trade floated a trial ballon in December that would have required all flax farmers to use certified seed to be able to sell to elevators. The same people who got every farmer to sign an affidavit attesting to their class of wheat, with unspecified liabilities, after the government got rid of KVD, must have thought this up. Turns out there are too may alternative flax buyers to enforce that. Still, most buyers do require that a farmers flax be tested for Triffid before delivery. The test costs a $100 dollars and takes three weeks, unless you pay $300 for a quick response.
The sobering conclusion of that extensive testing is that the Triffid gene is everywhere across the prairies including in pedigreed seed. If your flax tests negative, count yourself lucky and don't be sure your next test will pass. The trade has adapted. Flax without Triffid goes to Europe and, to a lesser extent, Brazil. Flax with Triffid goes to the United States. Trade is brisk at $8.50 per bushel.
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