Researchers: Canola viable crop for Clovis area
September 17, 2008
the production of the fuel, the dairy will usually buy their entire crop.' The science center has been studying canola in conjunction with Colorado State University, the University of Texas and Texas Tech University for two years, Angadi said. In addition, Oklahoma State University has been studying winter canola as a rotational dryland crop for winter wheat, said Francis Epplin, profe
The Associated Press
Article Launched: 09/15/2008 12:11:23 PM MDT>
CLOVIS, N.M.—A New Mexico State University science center researcher says canola is a better crop for biofuel production and also can be used by the large dairy industry in eastern New Mexico.Research is beginning to show that grain-based ethanol production is not as efficient as seed-based production, said Sangu Angadi, an assistant professor at the center.
Canola also offers an advantage in water use.
Corn requires a lot of irrigation, while canola can be growth with or without irrigation, said Angadi, who suggests farmers combine irrigation and dryland farming for the best results. Angadi said farmers in eastern New Mexico can't match the corn production levels of farmers in the Midwest.
The largest advantage to canola in eastern New Mexico, however, is the chance to market it to the dairy industry, Angadi said. Dairies have been importing canola mill from Canada to feed their cattle, he said.
Canola mill is a protein source that could be added to dairy feed, said Patrick Kircher, Roosevelt
County Agricultural Extension agent.A locally grown source would give farmers an economical alternative, Kircher said.
"The dairies in the area would be happy to save money by purchasing the canola from local farmers," Angadi said. "If the farmer does not want to produce their own biodiesel or sell it for the production of the fuel, the dairy will usually buy their entire crop."
The science center has been studying canola in conjunction with Colorado State University, the University of Texas and Texas Tech University for two years, Angadi said.
In addition, Oklahoma State University has been studying winter canola as a rotational dryland crop for winter wheat, said Francis Epplin, professor of agricultural economics at OSU. OSU's research focuses on producing canola food oil, he said.
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Information from: Clovis News Journal, http://www.cnjonline.com