Committed to advancing sustainable farming practices, Arthur and Jennifer Walker have dedicated their efforts to improving forage production and soil health on their farm in Butte County, South Dakota. Their cropping history has primarily consisted of forages, including alfalfa, alfalfa-grass mixes, sorghum-Sudangrass, millet, and oats, as well as corn for silage. They learned about winter varieties of camelina and wanted to test it as a sustainable rotational crop. With support from a SARE Farmer Rancher grant and in collaboration with neighboring farmer Darin Durr, they planted side-by-side plots of camelina and winter wheat on both irrigated and dryland fields. Despite severe drought, camelina performed well under irrigation, maturing earlier than wheat, using less nitrogen, and attracting pollinators. Their project highlights camelina’s potential to improve soil health and diversify rotations in semi-arid regions.
"Camelina is a crop with a long history of cultivation, which has attracted attention as a source of oil for biofuel," said Jennifer Walker. "More recently, as the importance of omega-3 fatty acids in human health has been recognized, the favorable ratios of these lipids in camelina oil have caused an increase in interest in the crop. In addition to these market factors, the unique characteristics of the camelina plant suggest that it could provide soil health and agronomic benefits in sustainable agricultural systems. The development of winter varieties of camelina adds to its attractiveness in addressing important needs for farmers in western South Dakota."
Camelina vs. Winter Wheat
Camelina and winter wheat were planted side by side under both irrigated and dryland conditions. Despite a severe drought, the camelina performed reasonably well under irrigation. It matured earlier than wheat, used less nitrogen, and left more residual soil nutrients. However, winter wheat appeared to do a better job with weed control, and camelina proved vulnerable to shattering during harvest, an area the team identified for future research.
Pollinator-Friendly Planting
One of the most striking findings was the value of camelina to pollinators. Early in the season, more than 60 honeybees were collected in a single sweep net from flowering camelina, compared to just three from the wheat. Even in a drought year when little else bloomed, camelina provided a reliable food source for pollinators, underscoring its role in supporting beneficial insect populations.
Harvesting and Market Challenges
The Walkers believe that camelina has potential; however, they point out that harvesting the crop presents challenges due to its small seed size and tendency to shatter. Additionally, the absence of a local market for camelina oil and meal creates logistical and economic obstacles. These issues underscore the need for further research, particularly in the areas of harvesting equipment and post-processing infrastructure.
Creative Uses and Future Potential
The Walkers explored camelina’s potential beyond the field, using its oil in homemade products like lip balm and leather conditioner, which received positive feedback. They’re also interested in trying camelina meal as livestock feed. Looking ahead, they plan to continue testing the role of camelina in relay cropping and soil conservation.
Their key takeaway for other farmers: success with camelina depends on planning every step, from planting to marketing.
About Farmer Rancher Grants
NCR-SARE’s Farmer Rancher Grant program starts accepting proposals in mid-August.
