National Press Release

Energy crop growing in prominence as viable vehicle and jet fuel feedstock

GREAT FALLS, Mont., March 3 /PRNewswire/ -- Thirteen seed companies, processors and researchers of camelina have formed the first trade association focused on camelina production and processing in North America. The North American Camelina Trade Association (NACTA) will work to promote research, production and the development of new markets for camelina - a relatively new energy crop in North America that has exciting potential.

Camelina sativa, also known as gold of pleasure or false flax, is a member of the mustard family and a distant relative to canola. It is a fast-growing, short-seasoned crop that requires less water and fewer inputs than many crops. Its high oil content and other properties make it a great fit for biodiesel production, and interest in the crop has grown significantly in recent years.

"The formation of the North American Camelina Trade Association is another important step in building a strong, sustainable foundation for camelina production in the U.S. and Canada," said Scott Johnson, general manager of Sustainable Oils, and president of NACTA. "We are excited about camelina's future for farmers and its potential for reducing North America's dependence on imported oil. Together, we can achieve those goals more quickly and effectively."

The new organization brings together representatives across the camelina production and processing spectrum from the U.S. and Canada. NACTA leadership will be:

    --  President:  Scott Johnson, general manager, Sustainable Oils
    --  Treasurer:  Craig Parker, CEO, Willamette Biomass Processors
    --  Secretary:  David King, COO, Great Plains -- The Camelina Company

The first project funded by NACTA, through a grant from the Montana Department of Agriculture, was a research study to determine the level of camelina meal, the byproduct of camelina oil extraction, which can be fed to poultry. This study was submitted to the U.S. Food & Drug Administration for review. On February 6, the FDA issued a letter allowing the use of camelina meal in the diets of poultry broilers up to 10% of the weight of the total ration. NACTA members are working with the FDA and the American Association of Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) to secure "Generally Recognized as Safe" certification for poultry and additional livestock species such as swine, beef cattle, and dairy cattle, to broaden revenue opportunities for growers of camelina.

The formation of a trade association is just one of several milestones that have been reached over the past year, said Johnson. Highlights include:

    --  Exciting New Markets.  Japan Airlines successfully completed a historic
        demonstration flight using camelina-based jet fuel.  The Jan. 30 flight
        was the first airline to fly using camelina-based jet fuel and
        highlights the exciting potential for camelina as a sustainable biofuel
        feedstock.
    --  Herbicide Registration.  Poast(R) herbicide has received registration
        for use on Camelina Sativa.  Poast is a selective, broad-spectrum,
        post-emergence herbicide for the control of grass weeds that will
        provide a new, effective option for weed control in camelina production.
    --  Limited Camelina Meal Approval.  Approval from the Center for Veterinary
        Medicine, a department of the Food & Drug Administration, for the
        use of camelina meal in the diets of feedlot beef cattle and growing
        swine up to 2 percent of the weight of the total ration.
    --  Continued Research Efforts.  Public and private researchers are focused
        on increasing the yield and oil content of camelina, as well as
        identifying the most effective production practices.  In 2008, more than
        100 research trials and studies were conducted across North America.

The first annual meeting of the North America Camelina Trade Association is planned for October 2009. More information is available from any of the officers via email:

    --  Scott Johnson, President:   scott.johnson@susoils.com
    --  Craig Parker, Treasurer:   craig@willamettebiomass.com
    --  David King, Secretary:   dking@camelinacompany.com

Poast(R) is a registered trademark of BASF Corporation

SOURCE North America Camelina Trade Association