Flax straw is a bedding material used on the Lang ranch
by Heather Lang
Let’s talk bedding! And no, I am not referring to the thread count of your sheets. Humans have the choice to pick what type of bed is best for them to get a good night sleep, but did you know bedding for livestock is also important? Straw isn't just straw.
There are several different types of bedding that are popular for livestock and having the correct bedding is essential. Their bedding is more than just floor covering. It provides the animals cushioning so they sleep well. It allows less body surface to be exposed to our harsh North Dakota winds. It insulates them from the snow or ice which will help prevent frostbite or hypothermia and it absorbs the moisture pulling it away from their body. Understanding the benefits, differences or potential problems of bedding can help in making sure you pick the best choice for your livestock.
Straw is defined as the dry remnants of cereal grains (wheat, barley, oats, and corn) used especially for bedding or packing. From dogs to cattle, straw is extremely versatile, popular and is well suited for most animals because it is light weight, super absorbent, and composts well once it is time to dispose of it.
Wood shavings are another relatively inexpensive way to provide comfort for your animals. They are absorbent, easy to use and transport, plus clean-up is a breeze.
If our sows are about to farrow, they will be moved inside the barn so we can monitor them closely and provide them with some extra special attention, as they get comfortable and ready to bring the new little piglets to our farm. Our hog barn has cement floors so we will use wheat or oat straw inside the barn on top a thick layer of wood shavings. This combination gives added comfort, warmth and double the wicking power so they all stay nice and dry. Cleaning the barn is one of our weekend chores that is vital in making sure we maintain high success rate of the piglets. Watching the pigs move the straw around with their mouths and hooves to build their bed just the way they want it is always a pleasure to watch.
Although flax is not a cereal grain, flax straw is a bedding material we use often for our pigs that live year-round outside. Unlike its widely sought-after popular sister cereal straws, flax straw is a very oily straw high in linen fiber that does not break down easily which is exactly why it stands up so well to heavy snow and cold.
Often flax straw is looked at as a waste product but since we grow flax, we like to be able to use all parts of the plant. Additional advantages are that is doesn’t rot as fast or as easy as wheat or barley straw – besides the pigs enjoy rummaging through the bales to nibble on a snack while they lay down and burrow inside the straw.
Heather is a fourth-generation farmer and is the NDFB District 7 Promotion and Education Committee representative. She also serves on the American Farm Bureau Federation Promotion and Education Committee.