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New Ontario oilseed crop testing underway

New Ontario oilseed crop testing underway

OMAFRA is studying camelina’s viability in the province

By Diego Flammini
Staff Writer
Farms.com

Researchers are conducting field trials to determine if an oilseed crop popular in Western Canada can also be successful in Ontario.

Camelina, which (like canola) is part of the brassica family, can be planted in late fall or early spring. Some winter varieties are also frost tolerant, which could serve Ontario growers well, said Jim Todd, an industrial crops specialist with OMAFRA.

“We’ve heard of the crop being planted on frozen land in December and still having a crop come up,” Todd told Farms.com today.

OMAFRA researchers are in their second year of camelina trials. They are studying the success of producing another cash crop after a camelina crop, which farmers can harvest after between 80 and 100 days.

“We’re looking at the crop’s potential for double cropping,” said Todd. “It’s a very interesting short-season oilseed crop. Being able to plant it in the fall, like winter wheat, and still get in a crop of soybeans afterwards means you can get double the value off of your land.”


Camelina seeds
OMAFRA photo

Despite these potential benefits, the scientists have experienced challenges during the trials.

A camelina seed is only about 2mm long, which can cause equipment issues, Todd said. Getting consistent germination has also been an issue, he said, adding that once the crop is established it can be quite robust.

Todd and his team are also studying spring camelina varieties for intercropping within a winter wheat crop.

“We let the wheat grow to about six or eight inches, then we come in and plant the spring camelina,” he said. “Once the wheat comes off, you have another few weeks before you harvest the camelina.”

Reportable camelina yield data is unavailable at this time, he said.

Once the crop is harvested, a range of marketing opportunities exist.

“The meal has been approved for poultry feed and the oilseed itself has some interesting opportunities as well,” Todd said.

Camelina oil can be used for cooking and in skin care products.

Top photo: Camelina plants in field
OMAFRA photo


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Video: US “Flash Drought” Worst in 133-160 Years + Disease taking a Bite out of US 2025 Corn/Soybean Crops


A dry August and a “flash drought” in the ECB (Eastern Corn Belt) the driest top 10 to 15 years in 150 to 160 years (Ohio the driest in 133 years) plus disease is taking a bite out of the 2025 U.S. corn and soybean crops.
It's going to be an early harvest. This could be the start of the 89-year drought cycle that may have been delayed until 2026 as La Nina maybe returning.
The USDA September crop report is all about record corn ears and record soybean counts but the October USDA crop report will be about pod and ear weights.
Stats Canada reported higher forecasts for the 2025 Canadian Prairies all wheat and canola crops vs. last year based on satellite imagery but are they overestimating production?
The 2025 Great ON Yield Tour and Quebec crop tours are projecting corn and soybean crops below the 10-year average.
China's Vice Commerce Ministry Li Chenggang visits Washington this week as we continue to connect the dots is a positive sign towards a China/U.S. trade deal. But will U.S. farmers have a winter without China as they buy more soybeans from Uruguay/Argentina? U.S. Northern Plain soybean farmers are seeing red with flat prices at $8.97/bu!
U.S. corn exports on record pace up 99% vs. last year.
Fund short covering continues in corn futures bottom is in!