Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
August 25, 2009

Growers of biofuel crop to benefit from increased profitability

Great Plains Oil & Exploration – The Camelina Company is introducing nine new varieties of Camelina designed to boost yields, allowing increased production on every acre planted. The additional varieties provide growers of this biofuel crop with more options that can be tailored to their climate, geography, and other factors.

Great Plains has been researching and testing camelina for nearly 15 years and has chosen and screened 90 varieties from its exclusive germplasm collection to select those to be offered for the upcoming growing season. The Company will continue to utilize its proprietary lines as Camelina acreage expands, giving growers confidence that Great Plains will provide best-in-class results. Selections will be targeted to specific regions, from the plains of the Dakotas and Montana to eastern Washington and Texas and the Canadian Prairies.

“Our experience, coupled with our focus on developing climate-specific varieties, enables us to tailor Camelina seed for growers,” said Great Plains CEO Samuel Huttenbauer. “These new varieties will bring higher yields and profit for our growers and will help us meet growing demand for this emerging source of biofuel.”

Camelina is a next-generation sustainable biofuel crop. It is a low-input oilseed crop that can be grown in various climates. After harvest, Camelina is crushed to produce biofuel and a co-product that provides a high-quality livestock feed.

Great Plains’ breeding program is designed to create maximum yields on existing acreage, and to open more regions in North America to Camelina. Great Plains has exclusive access to the majority of the world’s Camelina germplasm available for commercial use, as well as extensive North American agronomic experience.

“Tests are showing a significant boost in yields,” Huttenbauer said. “We’re excited at the opportunities these varieties present for growers.” For example, a recent varietal test indicated yields across Washington of more than 2,400 pounds per acre. The testing was conducted across multiple locations by a university in Washington and indicates a tremendous potential for fall-seeded acreage in that state. Great Plains offered Camelina growers the top-yielding variety in Montana for 2009, based on independent university trials, and new tests are under way.

Great Plains is also working on several new herbicide-resistant varieties that are expected to be available by spring 2011. These varieties will provide an important breakthrough for Camelina growth in rotation with wheat, where other crops cannot be grown due to herbicide carryover.

Great Plains expects to begin fall contracting for the new season in the coming weeks. Interested growers are encouraged to contact their local Great Plains representative or visit the company’s Web site at www.camelinacompany.com.

Great Plains Oil & Exploration (Great Plains – The Camelina Company) is a renewable fuels company which pioneered the manufacturing and marketing of fuel and chemicals from Camelina. Great Plains has exclusive access to the majority of the world’s Camelina germplasm and is the established leader in the field of Camelina agronomy and production. Great Plains has developed a grower base and production facilities from which it produces and supplies commercial quantities of biofuel as well as high-protein, omega-3 rich animal feed.

Website: http://www.camelinacompany.com

Published: August 25, 2009