Renewable energy’s new crop on the block (Camelina)

[jpak]

http://news.medill.northwestern.edu/washington/news.aspx?id=35747

WASHINGTON -- Ohio businessman Sam Huttenbauer thinks he’s got the crop that will put Montana at the forefront of the push for renewable energy solutions. It’s called the Camelina seed.

Huttenbauer is focusing on Montana because its agricultural conditions are ideal for growing Camelina.

“Camelina is a great crop for Montana growers. It’s an excellent alternative crop for rotation,” he said. “It works very well with wheat, because of the low input cost, very low water, very low fertilizer cost, it’s about half the cost to grow than other crops.”

Like soybeans, oil from Camelina seeds can be used to make biodiesel fuel. The meal from crushed Camelina is also used as animal feed and in soaps and body scrubs.

<more>