Conventional planting and harvesting equipment can be used. Seed should be planted 2.5 cm deep with a grain drill in firm, well-prepared soil. Irrigation may be necessary during the growing period. Cultural practices are similar to those used for small grains. A fertilizer program similar to that for small grains is also suitable for crambe.
Cost of production is about the same as for barley.
The major problems are weed control and seed-shattering. Harvesting From planting to harvest requires about 100 days, but this may vary considerably. Plants are harvested after leaves have dropped and seed pods and stems have turned light straw colored, with combine either cut directly or after swathing. Oilseeds with high oil content such as crambe are usually processed in a two-step operation with half the oil pressed out and the rest extracted with a solvent. That is slightly less than is reported by a farmer in Kentucky who followed his crambe with soybean.