Biofuel From Canola? (AUDIO)

There are still more questions than answers when it comes to growing canola for oil as a biofuel.

Photo courtesy: uscanola.com

(SALEM) - With continued high fuel costs for everyone, there is tremendous interest by farmers in Oregon and elsewhere in growing crops that can be turned into biofuels.

Hilburn: "Canola is an excellent oil crop. With all the push for alternative fuels biodiesel canola is the leading crop for making that kind of a biological fuel."

Dan Hilburn, administrator of the Oregon Department of Agriculture's Plant Division, says, however, canola could be a problem if grown in certain parts of the state where high-value specialty vegetable seed production is taking place. That includes the Willamette Valley and parts of central and eastern Oregon.

Hilburn says canola production in Oregon is gaining interest as some farmers want to grow their own fuel.

Hilburn: "All you have to do is look at the price at the gas pump. As it goes up, people are looking for ways to cut their costs. Farmers use an awful lot of diesel. So they are looking for ways to use their land to produce some fuel that will help them make their operations more economical."

There is concern over cross-pollination and the pests and diseases canola might bring. In some locations, a special permit is needed to grow canola for oil. ODA has just approved such a permit to an OSU researcher based in Madras:

Kevin Hays reports for Salem-News.com and Newsradio 1190 KEX.

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