AN ECONOMIC ASSESSMENT OF CRAMBE
                       Executive Summary

Crambe is a cool-season oilseed that grows best in semi-arid regions with warm days, cool
nights, and low humidity.  The crop is grown for its oil, which contains high amounts of erucic
acid, a 22-carbon fatty acid.  Erucic acid is used to make intermediate chemicals, such as slip
agents, emollients, and surfactants, that are used as inputs in the manufacture of such items as
plastic bags, cosmetics, personal care products, and laundry detergents.  Industrial rapeseed is the
traditional source of erucic acid for the world market.  In the United States, crambe has begun to
tap into this market.  Industrial rapeseed and crambe are the only commercial sources of erucic
acid.

A few attempts at commercial crambe production have occurred since the plant was first
introduced into the United States in 1940.  However, the most sustained commercial effort began
in 1990 in North Dakota with a partnership among the High Erucic Acid Development Effort, a
government-sponsored research consortium; National Sun Industries, an oilseed crushing firm
specializing in sunflowers; and several North Dakota farmers.  Approximately 2,200 acres of
crambe were harvested in 1990.  Production peaked in 1994 at 59.2 million pounds.  No
commercial acreage was planted in 1995, primarily because much of the crambe oil produced in
1994 had not been sold prior to spring planting.  About 19,600 acres of crambe were harvested in
1996.  Production totaled 29.8 million pounds, with an average yield of 1,520 pounds per acre.

Neither the Census of Agriculture or USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service collect
data on crambe acreage or production.  Estimates are available from the North Dakota State
University (NDSU) Extension Service and the American Renewable Oil Association (AROA), a
crambe growers organization formed in 1993.

In 1996, AROA set up a separate steering committee and business to develop a production,
processing, and marketing infrastructure for novel oilseeds in the Northern Great Plains.  The
grower-owned company, AgGrow Oils, plans to offer stock to growers in December 1996,
construct a 150- to 250-ton-per-day crushing facility in 1997, and begin operation with the 1997
crop.  Negotiations are underway that include contracting for 30,000 to 60,000 acres of crambe
annually.

Industrial rapeseed oil is the traditional and dominant source of erucic acid in world and U.S.
markets.  World consumption of high-erucic-acid oils for industrial applications is estimated at
about 125 million pounds per year.  Industry sources estimate the U.S. supply of industrial
rapeseed oil at about 5 million pounds of domestic production and around 25 to 30 million
pounds shipped in from Canada and Europe.  Although no data are available from industry
sources or USDA on U.S. crambe-oil production, crambe oil reportedly gained acceptance in the
U.S. high-erucic-acid market in the early 1990's when Humko Chemical, a division of Witco
Corporation, began relying on it as a domestic source of erucic acid.  Humko currently uses both
industrial rapeseed and crambe oils.

World supplies of high-erucic acid oils have declined in the last few years as many countries
have switched from older rapeseed varieties to canola types.  World supplies are expected to
remain tight.  Although Canadian production is fairly stable, European production is below
expectations again in 1996.  Prices for erucic-acid oils have increased as supplies have tightened.  

The meal left over after crambe seed is crushed and the oil extracted is used for livestock feed. 
Crambe meal was approved as a feed additive by the Food and Drug Administration on June 5,
1981, with the proviso that it be fed only to feedlot cattle and at a level not to exceed 4.2 percent
of the diet.  The meal has been accepted commercially by feed companies for feedlot cattle
because of its attractive price and satisfactory animal performance.  The meal sells at roughly
half the price of sunflower seed meal and one-third the price of soybean meal

Stand establishment and harvest are critical times for crambe production.  Stand establishment is
tricky with crambe because of its small seed.  Farmers have to learn how to select fields, prepare
the soil, and plant the seed to get the crop established.  Timely harvest is important to avoid high
shattering losses.  Ill-timed or incorrect harvesting could cause major shattering losses, as could
high winds just prior to harvest.

Production perils occur throughout the growing season.  Early season weeds may affect stand
establishment.  Prior to harvest, yields can be reduced due to late-season weeds or high winds. 
Another peril that can affect yield is excessive moisture, which promotes diseases.

Ad hoc disaster payments follow the trend of crambe production.  During 1990-94, payments
increased as acreage expanded.  Sixty-five percent of the payments occurred in 1993, when North
Dakota experienced significant yield losses due to disease infestations and commercial
production was attempted in Colorado, Kansas and Nebraska.  North Dakota accounted for 88
percent of the $193,496 paid for crambe yield losses during 1990-94.  Farmers in the
high-acreage counties of Barnes, Benson, Cass, and Wells received between $17,000 and
$35,000 in total payments, while farmers in the other 17 North Dakota counties received less
than $10,000 per county.

Farmer inquiries about the availability of crambe insurance have roughly paralleled acreage. 
Interest was higher in the early 1990's when acreage was up, but in the last few years, with
acreage down, interest has been lower.  Demand will probably increase again in the next few
years if planned acreage increases occur.  Crambe is grown under contract, so the contract price
could be used as a basis for setting reference prices.  Individual yield data could be calculated
from individual acreage data and warehouse receipts, which are available from agronomist John
Gardner, who is working with AgGrow Oils while on leave from the NDSU Extension Service.