Turning Weeds into Fuel

Biofuels Manufacturers of Illinois planted 25 acres of pennycress at their project site in Mapleton. Pennycress is a winter plant  that produces large amounts of seeds. The seeds contain oil that researchers say makes and excellent energy crop. They believe that large-scale production for commercial biodiesal manufacturing will begin with crops planted in 2010, which could give farmers a boost in income.

Dr. Peter Johnson with Inovacom Partners, says, “The seed contains about 36% oil, so it’s a great crop for making biofuels. Then it also leaves you time to plant soybean in spring so you can double crop. This represents a whole new income stream to farmers.”

The goal is to one day build a biodiesal refinery in the Midwest. Researchers also say pennycress poses no threat to farmers. They say the weed grows after the fall harves and finishes its life cycle before the summer crop is planted. If necessary, the plant is easily controlled with herbicides.