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"A life cycle analysis of the carbon footprint of camelina-based biojet fuel concludes that the renewable fuel reduces carbon dioxide emissions by 75% compared to traditional petroleum-based jet fuel, according to a peer-reviewed paper published in Environmental Progress & Sustainable Energy ."

2010 Sustainable Oils Grower Protocol: Canada

To ensure you succeed with camelina, Sustainable Oils recommends our growers follow these agronomic and cultural practices. These recommendations are based on the most recent technical information.

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 herbicides such as Maverick, Glean, Ally, Harmony, Refine, Express, Express Pro, Triton, Tordon and others. Camelina is also susceptible to IMI and SU herbicides such as Pursuit, Solo and Odyssey. If you used these herbicides on your field, you should not plant camelina. Check the label for plant-back restrictions, which can be as long as 22 months for some products. For a complete list of these types of herbicides 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 (no Odyssey) or lentils (non Clearfield).

Step 2: Control weeds early

• Apply glyphosate (refer to label) in the fall as a burndown.
• Apply glyphosate (refer to label) prior to planting.

Step 3: Fertilize

• Test your soil to determine existing soil nutrient levels.
• Nitrogen available for the crop including soil test N should be no less than 100 lb/acre for optimum yield. Nitrogen should not be placed with seed for seedling safety.
• Soil phosphorous should be no less than 12 ppm. If soil tests show lower levels, apply fertilizer to reach these levels, either by soil or foliar application. Applying a starter phosphorus fertilizer at time of seeding will ensure a good jumpstart for the crop.
• Some growers have found application of sulfur beneficial to the crop.  Application of 15 pounds per acre in the sulfate form is appropriate. 

Step 4: Plant

• Plant as early as possible after March 1. Early planting dates typically optimize yield.
• Seeding rate: Drill 5 lb/acre or higher if not seeding under ideal conditions.
• 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.
• Row spacing: To ensure a more competitive crop, a six inch spacing is recommended.

Step 5: Harvest

• Harvest when the majority of pods are pale brown and seed shells easily from pods.
  
• Camelina can be straight cut or swathed when the pods start to ripen but before they are so dry that excessive shattering occurs.   Swathing will help with uneven crop maturation and assist crop drydown.
• Note: Some seed pod shatter may occur if crop is left standing to straight cut.
• Check for seed moisture before harvest. Seed moisture must be 8% or less.

Combine adjustments:

• Adjust combine for small seeds. You may want to add a chaffer or sieve with smaller screens.
• 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: 3 – 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.

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