Soybeans
While soybean production is limited to select varieties is
isolated regions of Montana, soybean oil is the primary
feedstock for United States Biodiesel. Soybeans are a nitrogen
fixing, warm season annual that average 20% oil and 34-36%
protein by weight. Production in ND has averaged 31 bu/acre. |
 |
| |
|
Canola
Canola is a specific edible variety of rapeseed. There many
counties across Central and northeastern Montana that grow
canola well. There are both winter and spring varieties of
canola available. Canola averages about 40% oil. Average yields
for Montana are 23 bu/acre. |
 |
| |
|
Sunflower
Sunflower varieties are among the highest oil content of all
oilseeds. Sunflower oil is currently primarily used in food
grade oil. Sunflowers are a warm season annual that generally
require irrigation in Montana and are grown in isolated regions
in the central part of the state. Sunflower averages between
45-50% oil and has averaged 740 lbs/acre in Montana. |
 |
| |
|
Camelina
While native to Europe, Camelina is a new crop to Montana that
has seen exponential growth in acreage. Camelina is a short,
cool season annual that requires relatively little water.
Camelina oil is currently being marketed for the omega-3 profile
of the oil, and for biodiesel. Average production for the
Montana experiment stations was 1100 lbs/ acre, with an oil
content of 30-40%. |
 |
| |
|
Safflower
Safflower varieties have shown to produce well as a dry-land
crop in Central and Eastern Montana. A majority of the oil is
marketed for human consumption. Safflowers are a thistle like
warm season annual that is relatively drought and cold tolerant.
Safflower averages 38-44% oil and has and average yield in
Eastern Montana of 900lbs/ acre. |
 |
| |
|
Flax
Montana ranks 4th in the nation for flax production, with most
of that being produced in Northcentral and Northeastern Montana.
As with Safflower, a majority of the flax is grown for human
consumption or as animal feed. Flax is a long season crop that
is grown both for oil and fiber. Flax seed contains about 45%
oil. Western North Dakota reported 3 year average production of
15-18 bu/acre. |
 |
| |
 |
| |
