2005 Annual Report for ONE05-048
Pilot production of biodiesel from canola in New England
Summary
Canola variety trials were conducted at three locations in northern New England (two in Maine and one in Vermont). Canola was grown on 30 acres with farmer cooperators in the Presque Isle area to provide raw material for biodiesel production. The canola is currently in storage and will be crushed for oil in January or February of 2006.
Objectives/Performance Targets
1) Demonstrate the feasibility of producing biodiesel fuel using a locally grown oilseed crop [i.e. canola (Brassica napus and Brassica rapa)] as a source of raw material.
2) Identify and overcome whatever constraints are encountered in production in a sustainable and community conscious manner.
3) Enumerate costs and returns on production and communicate said results to farmers in New England and the Northeast.
4) Identify varieties of canola that would be most promising for production in New England.
Accomplishments/Milestones
1.) Field work with canola variety trials was completed at three sites.
2.) Grower cooperators produced and delivered ca. 25 tons of canola for crushing.
Impacts and Contributions/Outcomes
This is a work in progress.
Collaborators:
Presque Isle, ME 04769
University of Maine Cooperative Extension
495 College Ave.
Orono, ME 04469
Office Phone: 2075813241
University of Vermont Extension
278 South Main St.
St. Albans, VT 05455
Office Phone: 8025246501
Presque Isle, ME 04769
Alburg, VT
Presque Isle, ME 04769