North Dakota farmers have grown flax since the first sod was broken. Two types of flax are grown, seed flax, for the oil in its seed, and fiber flax, for the fiber in its stem. Today producers in the Upper Midwest and the Prairie Provinces of Canada grow seed flax. Flax seed is crushed to produce linseed oil and linseed meal. The fiber in seed flax stems is used to make fine paper and as tow or padding in upholstered furniture.
Cigarette paper is a major flax paper product.
Human consumption of flax seed is increasing rapidly for its high dietary fiber, its omega 3 oils, and the anticarcinogenic lignans. Flax seed oil is used as a vegetable oil by some consumers and the processors say its use is doubling annually. Whole, but preferably ground flax seed, is consumed mostly in bakery products. Much flax seed meal also is fed to pets and other animals. Research is being conducted to determine the health benefits of human consumption of flax seed products.