05/11/07 Camelina, part two

Eric Wassmuth says canola is a breakeven crop, if you're lucky. He operates an oilseed crushing operation on the Camus Prairie and hopes that camelina will eventually feed it. He's working with the University of Idaho's Stephen Guy who is now in his third year of camelina experiments. He's found this ancient crop comparable to canola but it can be planted earlier in the spring and will stand up to a hard frost. Guy says camelina requires modest water and can be produced at a lower cost than canola. GUY "Less fertilizer than we put on canola. Some of the insect pests that are a problem on canola don't appear to attack camelina. Camelina will be at least competitive, if not at an advantage, as far as seed yield is concerned and the seeding rates are fairly low." Guy says it is adapted to Idaho and the Pacific Northwest, it's hardy, stands up to heat and with earlier planting, it avoids higher temperatures in the flowering stage. Guy is excited about this dryland crop that has biodiesel oil potential plus human and animal health benefits. Voice of Idaho Agriculture Bill Scott