Oil Crops

The following crop fact sheets give basic information on growing oil crops in the Willamette Valley:

Economics

Oilseed Processors

Madison Farms, Echo OR

Pendleton Grain Growers, Pendleton, OR

Willamette Biomass, Rickreall, OR

Biofuel Processors and Dealers

SeQuential, Salem, OR

Nutrient Management

Nutrient Management in Oil Crops

The new OSU Nutrient Management Guide for Peppermint is located here.

Meadowfoam nutrient requirements have been evaluated by many OSU-grower cooperative field trials. Information for other oil crops is derived from experience and information from other areas. Some oil crops require a low amount of spring N compared to winter wheat or grass seed crops.

Meadowfoam usually requires only modest amounts of spring applied nitrogen to produce top yield. Similar to fall seeded grain crops, fall fertilizer application is usually not necessary. Spring nitrogen generally is applied in February or early March prior to stem elongation. Spring nitrogen applications should not exceed 40 to 50 pounds N per acre. Over supply of nitrogen leads to excessive foliage, increased incidence of lodging and disease. No yield benefit has been observed from meadowfoam to application of phosphorus, potassium, sulfur, or micronutrients unless soils are deficient. Use a winter wheat soil test and recommendations to determine adequacy of these nutrients.

Brassica crops such as canola often benefit from boron application.

Nutrient Management Guide for Peppermint Grown in Western Oregon

Soil Test Interpretation Guide

Monitoring Soil Nutrients Using a Management Unit Approach

Weed Management

The OSU Weed Science Group conducts greenhouse, laboratory and small plot herbicide evaluation trials in support of the development of weed management activities in the diverse cropping systems of Western Oregon. Labeled and experimental herbicides are evaluated for crop safety and weed control efficacy in the following crops: Winter and Spring Wheat, Cool-season Grasses grown for seed, Native cool-season Grasses and forbs grown for seed, Canola, Meadowfoam, Camelina, Clovers and Peppermint among others.