Wednesday, November 15, 2006 - 1:50 PM
219-3

Cultivar Performance of Canola, Brown Mustard and Camelina in the High Plains of Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota and Wyoming.

David Baltensperger1, Alexander Pavlista1, Dr. James M. Krall2, Thandiwe Nleya3, Eric Nielsen1, Jerry Johnson4, David Nielsen5, Robert Aiken6, Merlin Dillon7, Glen Frickel1, Jim Margheim1, John Rickertsen3, Ron Meyer8, Lenis Nelson9, and Terry Isbell10. (1) Univ of Nebraska, 4502 Avenue I, Scottsbluff, NE 69361, (2) Univ of Wyoming, 4516 US Highway 26/85 Ste 2, Torrington, WY 82240, (3) South Dakota State Univ, 1905 Plaza Blvd, Rapid City, SD 57702, (4) Dept of Soil & Crop Sciences, Colorado State Univ, Fort Collins, CO 80523, (5) USDA-ARS, Central Great Plains Research, 40335 County Rd. GG, Akron, CO 80720, (6) NWREC, 105 Experiment Farm Rd., Colby, KS 67701, United States of America, (7) CSU Cooperative Extension, 319 Batterson, Monte Vista, CO 81144, (8) Kit Carson County Courthouse, 251 16th St, Suite 101, Burlington, CO 80807, (9) Univ of Nebraska, Agronomy Dept, PO Box 830915, Lincoln, NE 68583-0915, (10) New Crops and Processing Technology Research USDA-ARS, 1815 N University St, Peoria, IL 61604

Interest in high-oil spring-crops for the High Plains has rapidly increased with national interest in bio-diesel, recent development of production contracts with Blue Sun and Progressive Producers and increased interest by others in developing oil crushing facilities in the region. Currently, there is extensive demand for production information and adaptability of existing cultivars of canola (Brassica napus), camelina (Camelina sativa) and brown mustard (Brassica juncea).  Some testing was initiated in 2004, but has expanded to a region wide project in 2005 and 2006 to test available cultivars under both irrigated and rainfed conditions. Additional trials evaluating planting methods and date of planting have been undertaken. Cooperative efforts with the New Crops and Processing Technology Group and the USDA-ARS-NCUAR in Peoria, IL provided oil analyses and fatty acid composition. This presentation will summarize oil and yield data from these regional trials and present thoughts as to where these crops fit best in cropping systems. It appears that there are a number of cultivars within each group that may have potential for economical oil production in the region. Camelina has many advantages in the region with better tolerance of flea beetles, better seedling vigor, good direct harvestability and a short growing season.  However,  less of the total production practices have been discovered with this crop including weed, disease and insect control.  Further, it appears to be more limited in potential yield in the highest yielding testing locations. Currently, the best weed control packages for no-till production come with glyphosate tolerance that is available only in spring canola for this area. Therefore it appears that a great opportunity exists to develop improved adaptation of cultivars and improved production systems to make regional bio-diesel production a reality.