During WWII, flax or linseed provided crucial products for the war effort. Used in its entirety, oil from the seed, linseed oil, the basis of oil paint, hardeners for plastics and linoleum, fibers from the shaft provides linen and other fibrous materials, and the remainder works for protein-rich livestock fodder. The seeds also provide Omega-3 Fatty acids fit for human consumption. Flax, one of the oldest domesticated crops and grown in a significant part of the world, took a substantial production hit during WWII. Some of the major European producers, England, France, Ireland, Belgium, and the Netherlands could not meet any demands of the wartime needs, as they, themselves, were embroiled in WWII. The U.S. needed to produce more of the crop than ever to cover the deficit. South Dakota joined in the effort to meet this need.
South Dakota contributed greatly to the crop production of flax. As much as 85% of the flax crop in the U.S. grew in South Dakota, North Dakota, Minnesota and Montana. Significantly, the need for the crop kept demand up over the war years. As previously mentioned, linseed oil was a significant component of paint used for Jeeps, tanks, guns and other war related items. The USDA reports that over five years, from 1942 to 1946, a total of 1,999,000 acres of flax was harvested in South Dakota alone. Over this time, South Dakota produced over 18.8 million bushels of flax. This resulted in an estimated 451.2 million lbs. of linseed oil.
This week鈥檚 Throwback Thursday photo was taken a few years after WWII, but still reminds us of the importance of the Flax crop.
SDAHM Sudlow Collection 01-6-7