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College of Agriculture
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Biobased Institute
Biobased Products Institute - Montana State University
Oilseed Production |
Researchers Involved: |
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Peggy Lamb |
Dr. Gregg Carlson |
Dr. Duane Johnson |
Dr. Chengci Chen |
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Dr. David Wichman |
Dr. Ken Kephart |
Dr. Grant Jackson |
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Project Description: |
| The MSU Ag Research Centers (Northwestern, Southern, Central, Western Triangle, and Northern) have evaluated nine oilseed crop species for production in different regions of Montana (fig 1). Evaluation included yield, oil content, and economic return. As expected, the nine crops performed differently at different locations in Montana. Yearly variation at a given location was observed and was correlated with moisture and temperature. Sunflower, safflower, flax, camelina, canola, rape and crambe can be economically produced in different regions of the state. Soybean production can not be economically produced under dryland conditions in most of the state mainly due to low nighttime temperatures and lack of sufficient moisture during the summer months. 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. The impact of planting date, planting depth and fertilization are currently being evaluated. |
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Fig. 1 |
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| Evaluation of the relative agronomic performance of spring annual oilseed crop species and varieties and their response to seeding date in central Montana (Wichman 2006) |
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