FDA okays camelina in cattle feed
Washington Ag Today November 25, 2009 The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently approved the inclusion of camelina meal in cattle feed. Like other oilseed crops, camelina is crushed for its oil and meal. John King is CEO for Montana-based Great Plains- The Camelina Company. King: “Camelina meal has high protein levels. It also has, because we are cold processing right now, there is a carryover of some of the camelina oil into the meal, small percentages, and that carries with it both energy for the cattle as well as omega-3 benefits. Camelina oil is high in omega-3 and because it is high in omega-3 and that oil is in the meal you get some of those benefits. We have actually shown through some studies that that omega-3 benefit can pass through to the meat.” Great Plains contracts for camelina production in the northern plains and the northwest and King says they are looking for more acres in 2010. The Washington State Community Economic Revitalization Board has announced $3.3 million in public investments targeting job creation and business growth in Asotin, Klickitat, Lincoln and Yakima counties. The projects include infrastructure for ports and industrial parks, one of which would accommodate a manufacturing plant for biochemicals made from organic agricultural waste, to a publicly owned incubator to support growing alternative energy, vineyards and wineries. To receive the state funds each project applicant must complete specific pre-contract requirements, such as finalizing other funding sources and obtaining necessary permits I’m Bob Hoff and that’s Washington Ag Today on the Northwest Ag Information Network.
