Grower
Opportunities

"We have created a better feedstock for biodiesel," said Tom Todaro, CEO of Targeted Growth and Chairman of the Board for Sustainable Oils. "Camelina can be rotated with current Montana and Canadian crops, it grows in land with lower agricultural value, and it doesn't significantly increase the use of fertilizer or irrigation water. We think this will be a model for the development and use of other biofuel-specific crops."

2010 Sustainable Oils Grower Protocol: U.S.

To ensure you succeed with camelina, Sustainable Oils recommends our U.S. growers follow these agronomic and cultural practices. These recommendations are based on the most recent technical information. Click here for the recommended Grower Protocol for Canadian growers.

Step 1: Select the right field

  • Select fields with known limited weed pressure.
  • Review history of herbicide use in your candidate field. Camelina is susceptible to long-term residual SU and IMI herbicides.  If Brassica species cannot be planted following a specific herbicide, then DO NOT plant camelina.  Check the label for plant-back restrictions, which can be as long as 40 months for some products.  If you are unsure of a specific plant back restriction, please contact us. 
  • Sites NOT recommended: fields following canola or other Brassicas (rapeseed, brown mustard).
  • Camelina grows well in fields that were previously fallow or growing wheat, barley, peas or lentils.

Step 2: Pre-plant control of broadleaf and grassy weeds

  • Apply glyphosate in the fall as a burn down. (Read and follow all label directions) .
  • Apply glyphosate at planting before camelina emergence. (Read and follow all label directions)      

Step 3: Fertilize

  • Test your soil to determine existing soil nutrient levels.
  • If soil nitrogen is less than 80 lbs per acre in the top 3’, apply fertilizer to reach that level combining soil nitrogen with applied nitrogen.
  • If soil phosphorous level is 12 ppm or less, apply 15 lbs of actual phosphate per acre.
  • Apply 15 units of Sulfur.

Step 4: Plant

  • Plant as early as possible after March 1. Early planting dates typically optimize yield.
  • Seeding rate: Drill 5 lb/acre.
  • Seeding depth: 1/4” to 1/2” with shallower depth recommended. Make sure not to plant deeper than 1/2". Adequate soil compaction and good seed-soil contact are very important.

Step 5: Control grass weeds postemergence

  • Monitor grass weeds after camelina emerges and apply Poast herbicide if necessary (refer to label).

Step 6: Harvest

  • Harvest when the majority of pods are pale brown and seed shells easily from pods.
    Check for seed moisture before harvest. Seed moisture should be 8% or less.

Combine adjustments:

    • Adjust combine for small seeds. You may want to add a chaffer or sieve with smaller screens to be sure you avoid dockage.
    • Adjust header height so that camelina is cut just below seed pods to minimize the amount of green material going through the combine.
    • Harvest a small amount using the settings below, estimate the amount of seed loss, then consider modifying ground speed, fan and cylinder speed, concave space and sieve number. The following recommendations are based on previous grower experiences:
      Ground speed: 4 – 5 MPH; Fan speed: 500 – 800 RPM; Cylinder speed: 800 – 1000 RPM; Concave space: 1”; Top chaffer sieve number: 1/8” – 3/16” (JD, CASE IH, NH series).
    • Check for leakage in combine and trucks; use duct tape to seal leaks.

Bibliographic References
• K.A. McVay, Lamb, P. 2007. Camelina Production in Montana. Available at: http://www.montana.edu/wwwpb/pubs/mt200701AG.pdf
• Grant Jackson, Professor of Agronomy, Western Triangle Ag. Research Center, Conrad. “Response of Camelina to Nitrogen, Phosphorous, and Sulfur", February 2008 Number 49

A Partnership between Targeted Growth, Inc. and Green Earth Fuels, LLC
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