Canola could be the crop to help alleviate some of the feedstock demand of the biodiesel plants, since it has a higher oil content and a more desirable fatty acid profile than soybean. Canola which is a winter crop in Arkansas would be harvested in early June and may even allow for doublecropping with soybean after harvest. The University of Arkansas has been evaluating canola lines for more than 12 years and with the advent of three biodiesel plants operating in Arkansas there may be a demand for production.
Approximately 500 acres of canola was planted in production fields to evaluate the feasibility of production on a large scale. Production fields were planted throughout the delta region of Arkansas.