Enroll in the winter camelina program here.
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Profitability and environmental impacts can go hand-in-hand
Looking for new revenue opportunities and access to a growing market? See how winter camelina fits with Cargill SourcePoint Commodities™ into complementing your crop rotation. Winter camelina is a cash crop used for oilseed production with added environmental benefits similar to an over winter cover crop. As a low-carbon oilseed, winter camelina addresses the growing need for renewable fuels across North America, providing farmers access to this new, dynamic market opportunity.
From field to fuel: First Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) arrives at MSP Airport
Cargill worked with farmers to plant 2,000 acres of winter camelina in the fall of 2023 that was then harvested and crushed at Cargill's West Fargo, ND, facility. The camelina oil was refined into Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) and is now available to airline fuel streams.
What is winter camelina?
Winter camelina is a mustard-type plant that is in the same family as canola and produces high concentrations of oil making it a great addition to Cargill SourcePoint Commodities. As an intermediate crop, it can be grown similar to a cover crop but harvested like a cash crop. Winter camelina is planted anytime from mid-September to mid-October and harvested late June/early July in the Upper Midwest, leaving time for another crop to be planted. This provides a multi-crop opportunity for farmers. Three cash crops in two years.
Growing winter camelina in the Upper Midwest
Typical production dates (MN, ND, SD):
Plant
Mid-September to mid-October
Harvest
Mid-June to early July
Plant additional crop
Same year as camelina harvest
Growing winter camelina with Cargill
We've successfully completed our pilot project growing winter camelina with a group of farmers in Minnesota and North Dakota. We are now launching our full winter camelina program and enrollment is officially open! This is a great opportunity to expand into a new market and diversify your revenue.
How it works:
- You grow the camelina.
- We buy your camelina for delivery at our West Fargo plant.
- As a bonus, by trying this crop on new acres, you may be eligible to participate in additional soil and water conservation programs.
Working with industry partners
Since winter camelina is a relatively new crop in the upper Midwest, Cargill is collaborating with industry partners to help educate and support farmers as they look to integrate it into their operations. Read more here.
Camelina and pennycress: the next generation of biofuels?
Learn more about the role camelina can play in global decarbonization in this article featuring Cargill's Lyle DePauw, director of crop innovation.
Sowing sustainability: The rise of winter oilseeds
The market for sustainable biofuels is growing rapidly, opening up a world of grain marketing opportunities. Growing winter camelina and other winter oilseed crops are a great way to diversify your revenue and your crop rotation.
