The Scoop on Camelina Sativa

Production of Camelina

Camelina sativa is a low-input crop that is well adapted to the arid conditions commonly found in Montana and throughout the northern Great Plains and has rapidly emerged as a profitable crop for production of biofuels and value-added foods and feeds. Camelina, is a crop containing valuable oil, fiber and high quality protein with many potential uses in both nutrition and industrial applications. This ancient crop has been cultivated in Europe for over 6000 years for both food and fuel. The oil can be used to produce biodiesel and industrial products such as biolubricants. However, camelina oil is a rich source of omega-3-fatty acids (a-linolenic acid (~40%)) and vitamin E (tocopherol) and can be used to produce high value foods and cosmetics. The meal can be fed to livestock for production of high omega-3 meats, eggs and dairy products.

Camelina sativa was evaluated in a multi-specie oilseed trial at the MSU Agricultural Research Centers in 2004 (Fig. 1). This trial included nine different oilseed crops (sunflower, safflower, soybean, rapeseed, mustard, flax, crambe, canola and camelina (Fig. 1). Evaluation parameters included input costs, production costs, harvest costs, and yield. The net value of the crop was determined utilizing current oil and meal prices. Camelina sativa was not the highest yielding oilseed crop but it was the most economical crop to produce due to minimal input requirements. For example, canola seed costs approximately 7.5 cents/pound to produce on-station in Montana. Camelina seed only costs 1.5-2.5 cents/pound to produce on-station.

Achievement of Performance Benchmarks

Emergence of Camelina sativa as a Montana crop. Camelina acreage continues to increase across Montana. There will be camelina acreage in MT, WA, ID, OR, WY, SD, ND, CO, KS, and NB in 2008. The Montana varieties are the varieties of choice across this region. There are at least seven Montana companies developing camelina based products ranging from biodiesel to fuel additives to cosmetics to foods to feeds.

Establishment of camelina meal as a feed for production of omega-3 enriched eggs, dairy and meats. We have established that camelina is suitable for livestock feeds. Establishment of this value-added industry will rapidly commence as soon as FDA GRAS and AFFCO certifications are achieved.

Utilization of camelina oil in human foods.. We have established that camelina oil can be used a wide range of human foods. Commercialization of these products awaits FDA GRAS certification.

Germplasm Development. We have accumulated a large collection of camelina germplasm. This collection was the basis for release of two Montana varieties of camelina in 2007 (Blaine Creek and Suneson). Several additional selections have been made from this collection and are being developed for specialty markets. In 2008, this population will be screened for disease resistance (downy mildew) and shatter resistance.