Spring flax in the columbia basin: agronomic insights and variety trial results

Authors: GRAEBNER, RYAN - Oregon State University; WOOD, DAISY - Oregon State University; HUNT, MATTHEW - Oregon State University; MAHATO, GENA - Oregon State University; Adams, Curtis; RAHMAN, MD MUKHLESUR - North Dakota State University; HAGERTY, CHRISTINA - Oregon State University

Submitted to: Oregon State University Extension Publications
Publication Type: Experiment Station
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/30/2025
Publication Date: 4/16/2026
Citation: Graebner, R.C., Wood, D.I., Hunt, M., Mahato, G., Adams, C.B., Rahman, M., Hagerty, C.H. 2026. Spring flax in the columbia basin: agronomic insights and variety trial results. Oregon State University Extension Publications. EM9877. https://extension.oregonstate.edu/catalog/pub/em9877

Interpretive Summary: Winter wheat is the primary cash crop in the Columbia Basin dryland agricultural region, but alternative crops are grown, including some spring crops. Spring flax is a potential alternative crop for the area that producers know little about, having little knowledge about how to manage it. To address this need, research was conducted over three years at Oregon State University’s Columbia Basin Agricultural Research Center to test potential flax varieties for the region and information was compiled on agronomic management practices. "CDC Neela" and "AAC Marvelous" emerged as promising flax varieties for their relatively high seed and/or oil yields. Average seed yields ranged from 553 to 1838 lbs/ac and average oil yields ranged from 234 to 293 lbs/ac over three seasons. Flax will grow the best in areas with greater springtime precipitation and cooler spring and summer temperatures. It should be seeded when the danger of hard frost has passed. Seeding rate should range from 30 to 45 lbs/ac. The crop nitrogen requirement, considering soil and fertilizer nitrogen supplies, is about 80 lbs/ac. There are several pre- and post-emergent herbicides labeled for flax to help control weeds. Overall, this research showed that growing flax in the Columbia Basic is feasible, though water and heat challenges will limit production.

Technical Abstract: Spring flax is a potential alternative crop for the Columbia Basin dryland agricultural region, though producers have little guidance on how to manage it. To address this need, research was conducted over three years to identify and test prospective flax varieties for the region and information was compiled on agronomic management practices. "CDC Neela" and "AAC Marvelous" emerged as promising flax varieties for their relatively high seed and/or oil yields. Average seed yields ranged from 553 to 1838 lbs/ac and average oil yields ranged from 234 to 293 lbs/ac over three seasons. Flax will grow the best in areas with greater springtime precipitation and cooler spring and summer temperatures. It should be seeded when the danger of hard frost has passed. Seeding rate should range from 30 to 45 lbs/ac. The crop nitrogen requirement, considering soil and fertilizer nitrogen supplies, is about 80 lbs/ac. There are several pre- and post-emergent herbicides labeled for flax to help control weeds. Overall, this research showed that growing flax in the Columbia Basic is feasible, though water and heat challenges will limit production.