Cash in on Winter Crops [Video]

Winter oilseeds may soon offer farmers a whole new income stream. Research and development of several species is underway, offering cash crops with sustainability-focused benefits. 

Camelina, pennycress, and winter canola — all part of the Brassicaceae family — produce seeds containing 30% to 40% oil and high-protein meal, making them potential solutions for biofuels’ increasing demand and animal feed to boot. 

Planted between crop rotations, and in the same time frame as traditional cover crops, winter oilseeds can provide the same benefits. For example, having plants in the ground throughout winter can prevent soil erosion and nutrient loss. Also, an established crop between rotations can break pest and weed cycles, and increase carbon sequestration. Beyond soil health, there are other environmental benefits to consider. 

“The environment is being degraded by nutrients flowing into streams and contaminating the water,” says John Sedbrook, a genetics professor at Illinois State University and pennycress …