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Why Grow Camelina?

Camelina is an advantageous crop choice for farmers seeking profitable, sustainable, and resilient agricultural options, especially in dryland and challenging climates. It offers high demand as a feedstock for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production, requires no new equipment investments, and can enhance soil health within crop rotations.

High Demand for Sustainable Aviation Fuel

  • Emerging Feedstock of Choice: Camelina has become the preferred oilseed crop for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production due to its high oil content and ultra-low carbon intensity compared to alternative crops.
  • Growing Market Opportunity: With increasing demand anticipated in the coming years, there's a need for expanded camelina cultivation, presenting a lucrative opportunity for innovative growers.

Agronomic Advantages

  • Resilient Crop: Originating from Eastern Europe and belonging to the mustard family, camelina is similar to canola but with superior drought and spring freezing tolerance, allowing it to thrive in less-than-ideal climates.
  • Short Growing Season: Camelina matures in 85-110 days, making it suitable for various planting schedules and regions.
  • Efficient Use of Soil Moisture: Its root system is efficient in dryland conditions, yielding an average of 1.5 tonnes per hectare, and can exceed 2 tonnes per hectare with higher rainfall and proper management.

Flexibility in Crop Rotations

  • Double-Cropping Potential: Camelina can serve as the first crop in double-crop rotations, enabling farmers to harvest two crops in a single season from the same land.
  • Winter and Spring Varieties: Options for both winter and spring planting allow for flexibility, with planting windows from mid-October through February, depending on the region.

No Additional Equipment Investments

  • Use Existing Machinery: Farmers can cultivate camelina using their current planting equipment and combines, eliminating the need for new machinery purchases.
  • Conservation Program Participation: Camelina can participate in conservation crop rotation programs focused on soil protection and health improvement.

Soil Health and Nutrient Management

  • Nutrient Recycling: Camelina helps conserve soil nutrients remaining from previous crops and recycles them for subsequent crops, promoting sustainable farming practices.

Support and Profitability

  • Market Opportunities: Growers can secure contracts at fixed prices per tonnes, ensuring a guaranteed market and stable income.
  • Agronomic Support: Partnerships may include provided planting seeds and close collaboration from pre-planting through harvest to maximize yield and profitability.

Interested in Growing Camelina? Consider integrating camelina into your farming operations to contribute to a cleaner energy future and boost your farm's profitability.