Great Falls, Montana
March 4, 2009Source:
North America Camelina Trade Association
Energy crop growing in
prominence as viable vehicle and jet fuel feedstock
Thirteen seed companies, processors and researchers of camelina
have formed the first trade association focused on camelina
production and processing in North America. The North American
Camelina Trade Association (NACTA) will work to promote
research, production and the development of new markets for
camelina - a relatively new energy crop in North America that
has exciting potential.
Camelina sativa, also known as gold of pleasure or false flax,
is a member of the mustard family and a distant relative to
canola. It is a fast-growing, short-seasoned crop that requires
less water and fewer inputs than many crops. Its high oil
content and other properties make it a great fit for biodiesel
production, and interest in the crop has grown significantly in
recent years.
"The formation of the North American Camelina Trade Association
is another important step in building a strong, sustainable
foundation for camelina production in the U.S. and Canada," said
Scott Johnson, general manager of Sustainable Oils, and
president of NACTA. "We are excited about camelina's future for
farmers and its potential for reducing North America's
dependence on imported oil. Together, we can achieve those goals
more quickly and effectively."
The new organization brings together representatives across the
camelina production and processing spectrum from the U.S. and
Canada. NACTA leadership will be:
President:
Scott Johnson,
general manager, Sustainable Oils
Treasurer:
Craig Parker,
CEO, Willamette Biomass Processors
Secretary:
David King, COO, Great Plains -- The Camelina Company
The first project funded by
NACTA, through a grant from the Montana Department of
Agriculture, was a research study to determine the level of
camelina meal, the byproduct of camelina oil extraction, which
can be fed to poultry. This study was submitted to the U.S. Food
& Drug Administration for review. On February 6, the FDA issued
a letter allowing the use of camelina meal in the diets of
poultry broilers up to 10% of the weight of the total ration.
NACTA members are working with the FDA and the American
Association of Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) to secure
"Generally Recognized as Safe" certification for poultry and
additional livestock species such as swine, beef cattle, and
dairy cattle, to broaden revenue opportunities for growers of
camelina.
The formation of a trade association is just one of several
milestones that have been reached over the past year, said
Johnson. Highlights include:
- Exciting New Markets.
Japan Airlines successfully completed a historic
demonstration flight using camelina-based jet fuel. The Jan.
30 flight was the first airline to fly using camelina-based
jet fuel and highlights the exciting potential for camelina
as a sustainable biofuel feedstock.
- Herbicide Registration.
Poast® herbicide has received registration for use on
Camelina Sativa. Poast is a selective, broad-spectrum,
post-emergence herbicide for the control of grass weeds that
will provide a new, effective option for weed control in
camelina production.
- Limited Camelina Meal
Approval. Approval from the Center for Veterinary
Medicine, a department of the Food & Drug Administration,
for the use of camelina meal in the diets of feedlot beef
cattle and growing swine up to 2 percent of the weight of
the total ration.
- Continued Research
Efforts. Public and private researchers are focused on
increasing the yield and oil content of camelina, as well as
identifying the most effective production practices. In
2008, more than 100 research trials and studies were
conducted across North America.
The first annual meeting of
the North America Camelina Trade Association is planned for
October 2009.
Poast® is a registered trademark of BASF Corporation |
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