06/14/07 Field day focus on biofuel crops

The University of Idaho's June 26th field day east of Moscow will give ag producers a chance to look at an ancient oil seed crop that can be used in biofuel production. U of I field day organizer Steven Guy has been experimenting with camelina for the past three years. GUY "This is a brassica crop so it's in the cabbage family along with canola, rapeseed and mustards that we are already raising here in the Pacific Northwest." Biofuel related topics include a report by plant breeder Jack Brown on new canola, rapeseed and mustard cultivars under development. Biodiesel researchers Jon Van Gerpen and Joe Thompson will explore the Northwest's developing biodiesel industry and the strong interest in developing it. Mary Lauver and Guy will focus on winter wheat, spring barley, pea and lentil varieties and their suitability as no-till crops. Wheat breeder Bob Zemetra will talk about efforts to develop herbicide-resistant wheat cultivars and to breed disease resistance into new varieties. The field day on the 26th starts at 8 am at the University's Parker Farm a mile east of Moscow and concludes with a hosted lunch. Voice of Idaho Agriculture Bill Scott