Oilseeds for Fuel, Feed and the Future
Innovations Grant Report
Chris Fritz
(Flathead Biodiesel, LLC)
Polson, Montana
February 2008
1) What did you hope to accomplish?
Our intention was to perform a dairy feeding trial with camelina that followed all stages of implementation from the field to the crushers to the fed ration. In order to do this we start from the beginning, install our own crushers and process our own camelina crop. Little did we know this was a much more involved task than we thought. Growing and storing the crop was no problem. Installing the crushers with proper equipment around them was difficult.
2) What did you do?
Before the NCAT grant we performed an investigation of crushing equipment and our facility. We decided on the best investment for our money and capacity. With the grant we purchased two crushers with one set of settling tanks. In early March five other farmers agreed to plant Camelina. With the six farms growing camelina we hoped to have enough meal to service at least one local dairy. By June the crushers were finally delivered and installed but far from fulltime operation. Installing flow equipment and updating the building proved time consuming. By October our crushers were operating. Now we have a dairy onboard to conduct research in feeding camelina meal. No results have been collected yet only control samples. The University of Idaho and Montana State have pledged to conduct our lab work..
3) What were the results this year?
We had unusual weather involving a mid summer twister and a 4 inch summer drought. Yields of local producers were fairly consistent at 1100 to 1200 pounds per acre. On land (65 acres) that was not rolled yields were drastically lower at about 400 pounds per acre and cost per acre was about $80 ($40_fert + $20_Equipment + $20_mistu.). Crushing camelina is a time consuming task that demands automation for best results. Consistent flow of seed and moisture at the right temperature will produce both oil and meal effectively. With our facility we can crush with 20% extraction by weight for only $0.25 per gallon of oil or that’s 320# meal at a $1.00 production cost. This formulation is based on the use of our 3 phase electricity. Camelina meal is a highly digestible feed with excellent palatability. Milk performance data is pending.
4) Were there any unanticipated results or surprises you encountered along the way?
For our crusher to work best they need to be cleaned prior to crushing every time. The seed we have for crushing is very low in moisture so water must be added to lubricate the crushers. We apply about 10% moisture in with the seed directly as it enters the crusher. Camelina must be crushed twice to extract an optimal level of oil; the reason is that camelina has a soft seed characteristic allowing oil to stay trapped in the seed. We did not anticipate the substantial expense involved in the flow equipment; pipe, augers, hopper bins, and pumps are expensive and difficult to install without any prior crushing experience.
5) Were there any particular practical or policy barriers you encountered as you conducted this project?
Action to approve camelina meal by the FDA has taken longer than we anticipated. It has been indicated to us that limited approval for pork, beef, and chickens will come sooner rather than later.
6) How will you use what you’ve learned?
We are using our information to promote awareness of camelina products and the components of a local processing facility including crushers. Now that we have started our operation we are striving to improve our efficiency and to develop the markets we serve. And if we can help it we will try not to repeat the mistakes we have made while still using creativity.
Addenda
Results derived by:
Custom Dairy Services, Inc
8895 Guide Meridian Suite G
Lynden, WA 98264
Phone 360-354-4344
Certified Wet Chemistry Laboratory
| Received on : |
04/02/07 |
11128 |
Camelina Pressed
| Test Description |
On Receipt |
Dry Basis |
|
| 1 |
Dry Matter (%) |
88.78 |
|
|
| 2 |
Moisture (%)* |
11.22 |
|
|
| 3 |
Crude Protein (%) |
35.94 |
40.48 |
|
| 5 |
Acid Detergent Fiber (%) |
11.58 |
13.04 |
|
| 6 |
Neutral Deterg Fiber (%) |
18.67 |
21.03 |
|
| 10 |
Crude Fat (%) ether ext. |
13.16 |
14.82 |
|
| 11 |
Crude Fiber (%) |
5.42 |
6.11 |
|
| 13 |
Estimated TDN (%) |
68.61 |
77.28 |
|
| 14 |
Net Energy Lact (Mcal/lb) |
0.71 |
0.80 |
|
| 27 |
Relative Feed Value |
|
348.30 |
|
| |
|
|
|
Kelly Houston Chemist
B.S.,M.T. (ASCP)
|
*About 10% of the meal is still oil.
Fixed Costs approximately:
Cost to purchase Crushers $ 12,000
Cost to install Crushers $ 2,000
Cost to build Flow Equipment $ 8,000
Total $ 22,000
Addendum to final report provided March 2008
1) Both crushers are rated at 5 ton per day but they actually crush camelina at a combined rate of 7 ton per day. The reason for this is the softness and the small size of the seed. If camelina had a harder seed more like canola or mustard it would act less like a sponge. With small seeds we also have to tighten the crusher to produce more of a crushing effect without losing traction in the screw.
2) We bought the crushers from Doug Fluit in WA. His company is called Cropland Biodiesel. We have his 5 ton per day crushers, but we recommend buying the 3 ton per day crushers. The 3 ton presses are lighter to work on. Doug has a one year warranty on all his crushers.
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