Effect of Winter Canola Planting Date and Variety on Yield and Meal Quality for Biodiesel Production.

Biodiesel production from oilseed crops is a potential means for farmers to produce their own fuel on the farm and become more self-sufficient and save input costs due to rising fossil fuel prices.  The quality of the meal that is produced during the oil production process is extremely important since this value-added product allows for the lower cost involved in the biodiesel process.  Forty different varieties of winter canola from the National Winter Canola Variety Trials were planted at three different planting dates in 2014.  Oil and meal from the 5 highest yielding varieties for each date were mechanically extracted using a seed press and the meal was analyzed for quality characteristics (crude protein, acid detergent fiber, neutral detergent fiber).  The results of overall yield and meal quality will be discussed.