The two-foot tall camelina plant is being grown among rows of soybeans in field trials dedicated to finding sources of biodiesel other than corn or soybeans. Camelina is a hardy member of the mustard family that doesn’t require much fertilizer, can withstand temperatures of twenty degrees Fahrenheit, and which produces seeds with twice the oil content of soybeans. In field trials camelina is being grown among the rows of soybeans. The camelina is harvested first, then the field is sprayed with Roundup, after which the soy is harvested. Farmers in Montana are currently growing more than 24,000 acres of camelina. The seeds are being trucked to the Ever Cat biodiesel plant for processing. Results from the field trials will be available in early winter.
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