The mission of the agro division of GenX is the identification and evaluation of opportunities to involve regional growers, processors and other entrepreneurs in biofuel production.
This mission includes analyzing the potential role of a new crop and justifying further development. Several factors require evaluation, including the unique attributes of crop varieties, optimum growing conditions and economic returns. These factors must be investigated on test plots and production equipment.
To this end, the agro division of GenX has identified two potential agricultural commodities, Camelina and Canola, that could be grown and harvested as biodiesel feed stocks in Northeast Pennsylvania.
Camelina
Camelina Sativa, a member of the Brassicaceae family, is an oilseed crop. The plant is an annual and is grown extensively in Montana, Wyoming, and Nebraska. It is extremely cold tolerant and has the potential to generate significant amounts of oil. The oil content of the camelina seed can range from 29% to 39% providing an attractive alternative to traditional soybeans. The nutritional content of camelina meal in very favorable and high in essential nutrients and the protein content appears to be comparable to soybean meal.
Due to its short growing season (90 days) and, under favorable weather conditions, it has the potential for double-cropping . Camelina has been added, in rotation with continuous spring wheat production systems on land unsuitable for corn or soybeans.
Camelina can be grown with relatively low input costs and flourish on marginal land. The nitrogen input for camelina is as much as 50% less than canola, thereby presenting favorable economic returns.
These attributes lead many to believe that camelina can conceivably be successfully and economically grown in Pennsylvania in rotation with corn and soybeans.
In cooperation with its partners, GenX is growing camelina test plots throughout Pennsylvania. GenX has engaged processing facilities to extract oil for our biofuels to evaluate its use as a feed stock for biodiesel.
Two different camelina varieties are being evaluated to assess susceptibility to weather conditions and evaluate the shattering potential witnessed in Montana. Researching winter varieties will also be conducted for comparative analysis. Additionally, adjustable nitrogen rates, planting dates and seeding rates are being analyzed.
Harvesting, storage and transport methods are also being studied. Camelina's small seed size requires special precautions. Combines need to be adjusted and storage facilities and transport equipment will require modifications to prevent seed loss.
The research conducted by GenX and industry partners will discover the unique agronomic traits associated with this particular oilseed crop and make significant strides in the potential identification of another crop with energy capabilities for local growers.
Additional challenges are slowly overturning. For example, camelina meal has been cleared to receive USDA Generally Recognized Safe (GRAS) certification. This opens its use as a feed stock for any livestock intended for slaughter. Further research is underway to advance the certification process. and it makes a great organic fertilizer.
Camelina spreads workload and reduces risk. It is a short-seasoned, fast-growing crop that can help spread your workload. Camelina is planted in March and harvested in late July most years, and also can be planted in November and harvested in March even in Northern climates.
Get something instead of nothing.
If every drop of moisture is precious, you may want to consider camelina. It can produce seeds with less moisture so you’re assured of something to harvest. Plus, by maturing earlier than most other crop options, it’s not as dependent on rain later in the summer when Mother Nature’s more fickle. And since camelina can be harvested early, it allows ground to absorb later-season rainfall so it can enter the new year in a better position. Some call it low input.
Camelina can be low input – it can survive on little water, and it takes less fertilizer than many other crops. But it still requires management.
GenX is working with crop protection companies to give growers more herbicide options, like a poast emergent grass control product, is labeled for the 2009 growing season. Even with the availability of poast farmers should apply glyphosate in the fall and perhaps even again before the camelina emerges to ensure the crop gets off to a good start. Camelina competes well against weeds once a crop is established, but it isn’t a miracle crop. Manage it right and it works. Learn more by contacting GenX today.
Seed should be drilled, then harvested using conventional farm equipment, although you may want to add a smaller screen to your sieve to keep the seeds clean.
Camelina has high oil and protein content.
Camelina typically contains 35-38% oil, which is high in omega-3 fatty acid. This makes the oil fit for biodiesel and the meal a good option for livestock feed, or even organic fertilizer.
The emerging green fuel industry is turning camelina into a lucrative new cash crop for farmers. The seeds are easily crushed with oil being used for biodiesel that performs similar to biodiesel from other sources but can be more efficient.
An annual that originated in Northern Europe, camelina has many names: gold-of-pleasure, false flax, wild flax, German sesame. One of our favorites is Siberian oilseed; it’s such a hardy, cold-tolerant plant it seems to deserve that name. But whatever you call it, we think it spells a new profit opportunity for farmers in the Northeastern US.
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