A new oilseed crop called Carinata holds promise for South Dakota farmers as a profitable cash crop alternative. David Skaggs with the South Dakota Department of Agriculture says introduction of Carinata into the northern plains has been going on since 2009. Once processed the oil is easy to refine into jet fuel and bio-diesel.

Skaggs says research is also being conducted on Carinata meal utilization in various livestock diets.

He says the crop is drought tolerant and grows in poor soil so it’s a good fit for central and western South Dakota. And the acreage is expected to grow in 2018.

Canadian-based company Agrisoma is working on expanding production and developing the market for the crop, which may have the potential to provide better returns that traditional row crops or small grains.

Funding has come from the South Dakota Legislature, the South Dakota Oilseed Commission, the North Central Sun Grant Initiative, and Agrisoma.