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ARS Home » Plains Area » Mandan, North Dakota » Northern Great Plains Research Laboratory » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #323000

Title: Oilseeds for renewable jet fuel

Author
item Archer, David
item LEE, JOON HEE - North Dakota State Water Commission

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/19/2015
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: A multi-disciplinary research project was initiated to investigate the agronomic performance of different oilseed species under varying conditions across the western U.S. wheat belt, provide regionalized strategies to integrate sustainable oilseed production into existing land uses, and provide strategic guidance on economic, social, and environmental sustainability. As part of this effort, a break-even profitability modeling approach was used to spatially analyze where these oilseeds are economically profitable to produce, quantify potential oilseed supply, and evaluate impacts on natural resources and the environment. This approach is demonstrated for the state of North Dakota, where the break-even profitability modeling approach was used to compare the profitability of growing oilseeds relative to other annual crops for a range of oilseed prices. Based on break-even profitability modeling, industrial rapeseed production for jet fuel would be expected to occur primarily in areas of SW and NW North Dakota, with the production area expanding at higher oil price levels. Effects on soil organic carbon (SOC) and soil erosion due to water (water erosion) would vary geographically. Interestingly, areas where SOC would be expected to decrease often appear to be areas where water erosion would also decrease. These effects are related to the specific production shifts expected to occur at each geographic location. While some rapeseed production would occur in place of fallow, production of several other crops could be displaced by increased rapeseed production. This analysis will be expanded to include other oilseeds and to cover the rest of the western wheat producing areas.