Drilling for oil at Loughry Campus
Dr Stephen Bell, Crops Technologist, College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE) Greenmount Campus
Renewable crops have been planted this spring at Loughry Campus in excellent ground conditions and kind weather overhead. These crops are an integral part of a 25 hectare renewable crop rotation which has been developed to demonstrate to the industry the agronomy, economics and market potential of renewable crops for energy, industrial and nutraceutical markets.
The rotation will demonstrate spring and winter sown crops and include varieties of hemp, echium, borage, camelina, linseed and oilseed rape. The crops will yield a range of different oils for energy, industrial and high quality food or nutraceutical markets.
One particular interesting area is nutritious oils which are low in saturated fat and rich in the omega series of essential fatty acids thus promoting a healthy blood circulatory system. The inclusion of these seeds and oils in functional food products will be further evaluated for their market potential by Food Technology Branch, Loughry Campus.
The winter sown energy and industrial crops which include oilseed rape for biodiesel and biolubricants will be planted early September.
For more information on the Renewable Crop Project contact Stephen Bell on 028 94 42 67 66 or via e-mail stephen.bell@dardni.gov.uk
Stephen Bell, Greenmount Campus discussing the benefits of nutraceuticals crops with Roisin Lagan and Rosemary McKee from Food Technology Development Branch, Loughry Campus.
