Research                                       – updated 30/01/2006

               

 

Maritime Biodiesel Co-op is pleased to be conducting small-scale oilseed production

trials in the Annapolis Valley of Nova Scotia. The trials consist of one half acre of

Canola and Sunflower crops. Our trials are being conducted in cooperation with researchers

at the Nova Scotia  Agricultural College who are testing oilseed crops for local production.

 

The goal of 2005 Oilseed trials is to educate the public and co-op members on the

agricultural practices required to produce vegetable oils for use in biodiesel production.

If biofuels are truly sustainable, research such as this experiment will be important in

demonstrating production techniques and encouraging larger-scale agricultural cultivation

of oilseed crops in Atlantic Canada. At the present time, there are no oilseed crushing

facilities east of Hamilton, Ontario. We will keep you updated on our research activities

as they progress through the summer.

 

July 6   ’05   – Both the Sunflower and Canola trials have germinated successfully.

                        We had some initial concerns because they were hand-seeded, but the

                        plots show even emergence and low weed-pressure (good news so far)!

Aug. 30 ’05  - Things are looking good! The sunflowers are in bloom & canola is forming

                                    seed pods. We had no major weed problems. Keeping the birds away from

                                    our ‘fuel’ will be the next challenge.

            Jan. 30, ’05 – Ok…Things didn’t work out exactly as planned. A combination of location

                                    and weather meant that we did not proceed with our ambitious plan of

                                    harvesting and hand-pressing these crops into oil (and biodiesel). We’ll try

                                    to post a ‘report’ on the experiment eventually, but the short version is…

                                    - Sunflower and Canola can be grown in Atlantic Canada, but…

                                    - Small-plot, hand-seeded/weeded/harvested crops are too much work

                                    - There is increasing evidence that growing oilseed fuels is unsustainable

                                    So, as pretty as those fields were last summer, you better put away your hoe

                                    and shovel, and concentrate on recycling locally available waste oils...