Project Overview and Goals

Objectives

1. assessment of potential oilseed crops for western Oregon
2. assessment of potential pollen and pest issues associated with canola production
3. agroclimatic mapping and GIS mapping tools
4. economic assessment of oilseed crop production, oil extraction, biodiesel production and other associated enterprises
5. documentation of canola impact on specialty seed production in other countries
6. web site development for biofuels information delivery
7. grower/industry meetings and conferences

Methods

Objective 1. Assessment of potential oilseed crops for western Oregon

• grower-field canola plots
  • chosen to represent lower yielding grass seed cropping areas
  • single variety – Athena = 5 rep experiment
  • embedded fertility trials
  • small winter flax test strips
• Hyslop Farm small plots
  • winter flax, camelina, safflower, yellow mustard, winter and spring canola, short-season sunflower?, other?
  • dryland production will be emphasis but some irrigation work may be done
• purchase small plot scale oilseed expeller for general use

Objective 2. Assessment of potential pollen and pest issues associated with canola production

• further literature review on cross-pollination and pollen drift
• pollen shed synchrony of brassicas – weeds, canola, specialty seeds
• survey of roadside brassica “load” in plot areas
• seed bank loads at harvest and in subsequent crop(s)
• disease assessment and dynamics
• arthropod pests - cabbage maggot, cabbage flea beetle, cabbage seed pod weevil and potential for dispersal

Objective 3. Agrocolimatological mapping section

• create an agroclimatic map for western Oregon
  • climate data, soils data, major physical features, ODA restriction zone bondaries, etc.
• obtain available crop physiologic requirement data for oilseeds to be evaluated in field studies and determine adaptation zones
• obtain current and as much historic specialty seed crop field location data as possible and document production zones
• create a computer-based crop pinning system for use by Oregon specialty seed growers, if there is interest in such
• create additional agroclimatic maps as time allows

Objective 4. Economic assessment of oilseed crop production, oil extraction, biodiesel production and other associated enterprises

• update or create enterprise budget sheets for oilseeds to be evaluated in field trials
• develop budgets for the on-farm production of vegetable oils
• develop budgets for the on-farm production of biodiesel
• develop feasibility estimates and budgets for use of oilseeds in various-scale regional extraction plants
• estimate the value of canola or other oilseeds or high oil meal in other applications – fuel for stoves, binder for pelleting operations
• develop feasibility estimates and budget for processing flax fiber for industrial uses
• estimate the value of broadleaf crops in rotation with grasses and create cropping system budgets using these estimates
• estimate total biodiesel production capability of the Willamette Valley
• estimate total production capability if buffer zones were established to maintain needed isolations for specialty seeds
• confer with scientists and seed businesses in the Europe and Canada to obtain specific information on the impact canola has had on specialty seed industries in these regions
• confer with seed companies who currently contract in Oregon to discuss their concerns and ideas

Objective 5. Documentation of canola impact on specialty seed production in other countries

Objective 6. Web site development for biofuels information delivery

• develop a web site through which to share project updates, research data, interview findings, educational materials

Objective 7. Grower/industry meetings and conferences