Camelina Sativa, Launching a New Oilseed Crop, Could Gold of Pleasure be Montana's Soybean?

Montana producers have long needed a broadleaf crop which will grow in all areas of Montana to provide a beneficial crop rotation. Gold of pleasure is that crop. High protein OmegaMeal(TM) will have a major impact on Montana agricultural income, by providing a quality protein source to supplement Montana barley and distillers grains, encouraging livestock feeding in Montana. Camelina oil can be refined into an economical biodiesel or utilized in omega3 health food, cosmetics and animal feeds. Wax esters, mucilage, tocopherol, glucosinolate, super omega3, offer interesting industrial and nutraceutical uses. The overall objective SBIR project is to develop a highly sustainable crop (camelina) that can be produced and processed in Montana, provides a fair return to growers, and promotes economic development through manufacture and refining of value-added products and biofuels. In Montana, net wheat income averages $23.50/acre and does not offer potential for added farmgate value. Revenue from a single acre of processed camelina (1500 lbs/acre) could generate between $150-300 net revenue. GNG has a goal to produce a million acres of camelina generating over $150 million in grower revenue. Value added processing will further increase net revenue to Montana industry.