from field to fuel: harvesting the potential of winter rotational crops

Agricultural innovations are seeding new solutions in the global push for biofuels.

With global biofuel demand expected to grow 20% by 2027, the race is on to find new sustainable source materials to produce lower carbon alternative fuels.

One promising breakthrough—a new winter rotational crop from seed developer Corteva Agriscience—has the potential to create real value for farmers, the biofuels industry and the planet. With support from Corteva, Bunge and Chevron are partnering on the novel winter canola which is currently piloting with growers in Tennessee and Kentucky.

The inaugural yellow-flowering crop will be planted in September.

“The demand for biofuels is coming back around in a very feverish way,” explained Chad Berghoefer, global product director at Corteva and self-described “farm kid from Iowa.” 

Corteva’s winter canola is part of a new breed of rotational crops that offer all the environmental and ecosystem benefits of traditional cover crops, including improved soil health and reduced water and nutrient runoff, along with carbon capture in the ground.

Camelina sativa, from agricultural company Chacraservicios, is yet another innovative solution. The novel seed with high oil content is also helping meet the growing need for renewable feedstocks. Chevron Renewable Energy Group and Bunge announced the acquisition of the Argentina-based company in July.

Unlike typical cover crops, which are planted in the off-season and neither harvested nor sold, the seeds from these next-gen plants provide new revenue streams for growers when crushed as meal to produce animal feed or oil for biofuels.

“It’s a win-win,” said Fernando Candia, vice president of Carbon Solutions at Bunge, a leading oilseed processor. “These new crops not only help growers increase productivity and sustainability on their land, but they are also contributing to a more sustainable world.”