Significant research has been done at Oregon State into the viability of oilseed crops grown in the Willamette Valley for use in bioproducts production. Western Oregon agriculture is diverse and complex. Many factors must be considered when evaluating crops that could potentially be grown. The potential for impact on established crops and cropping systems must be considered in regards to such factors as cross-pollination, changes in insect and disease pressure, and weed and volunteer crop control. Economic assessment of oilseeds in relation to other crops dominant in the Valley was also part of this project.

This project ended in 2009.

Western Regional Sun Grant Project - Camelina

Development of Camelina as a Low-Input Oilseed Crop for Oregon, Idaho and Washington project ended in 2010.

Funding for this oilseeds project was obtained through a competitive grant from the Western Regional Sun Grant Center. Russ Karow, Head of OSU Crop and Soil Science, is the project coordinator. Project researchers are Stephen Guy (formerly Univ of Idaho, now Washington State Univ, Pullman), Tom Chastain and Carol Garbacik (Oregon State Univ Crop and Soil Science, Corvallis), Don Wysocki (Oregon State Univ Columbia Basin Ag Research Center, Pendleton) and Bill Schillinger (Washington State Univ, Lind).

This is a three-year project with four defined objectives:

  1. to determine the optimum planting date for camelina across the PNW;
  2. to identify from among available germplasm that best adapted to the PNW;
  3.  to explore nitrogen fertility needs of camelina grown in different environments in the PNW;
  4. to share research findings through publications, field tours, grower meetings and other venues to allow camelina to become a viable part of cropping systems across the PNW.

2007-08 was the first crop year of this study.

Flax Variety and Planting Date Trial 2012

Industry interest in growing flax as either/both a fiber feedstock and an oilseed crop is the primary driver in providing regional trials with currently available flax varieties of oilseed and fiber types. The first year of a two year research trial was conducted during the 2012 crop year.

Objectives:

  • To test the ability of a fiber flax variety to survive Oregon Willamette Valley winters
  • Compare oilseed and fiber varieties for fiber and oilseed yield.
  • Compare fall and spring planting and observe ability for field retting of fiber flax.

Industrial Hemp in Oregon

Publications

Feasibility of Industrial Hemp Production in the United States Pacific Northwest. 1998. Oregon State University Extension Service. SB 681. Daryl T. Ehrensing. Comprehensive assessment as of 1998.

Some Background on Industrian Hemp in a Western Oregon Context. 2013. Russ Karrow, et al. Document prepared for November 9, 2013 forum organized by Congressman Earl Blumenauer. 

National Industrial Hemp Strategy. Agri-Food Canada. March 2008. An exceptionally comprehensive assessment of the potential for hemp in Canada including production and breeding, marketing, use for both food and health products and industrial use.

ODA - OSU Oilseeds Project

This project ended in 2009.

The Oregon Department of Agriculture-Oregon State University oilseeds project had been funded, in part, by the Oregon Legislature to gather information about oilseed crops that can potentially be grown in the Willamette Valley for use in bioproducts production. Western Oregon agriculture is diverse and complex. Many factors must be considered when evaluating crops that could potentially be grown. The potential for impact on established crops and cropping systems must be considered in regards to such factors as cross-pollination, changes in insect and disease pressure, and weed and volunteer crop control. Economic assessment of oilseeds in relation to other crops dominant in the Valley was also part of this project.  

Oilseed Fact Sheets

These fact sheets are for growing in Oregon or the Pacific Northwest.

Oilseed Processors & Dealers

Madison Farms, Echo OR

Willamette Biomass, Rickreall, OR

SeQuential, Salem, OR