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Borage
Borage is an oilseeed crop that contains 30- 38% oil. The oil contains 20-30% gamma linolenic acid (GLA). GLA can be used for cosmetics, infant formula, and treatment of various human health problems.
Plant Description and Development. Annual herb with indeterminate flowering. Stems and leaves are thick, fleshy, and prickly. Average stem height is about three feet. Leaves are wrinkled and covered with thick hairs. Flowers are initially pink, later turning to blue. Flowers are cross-pollinated and the ovaries produce 3-4 dark-brown seeds. Seed readily shatters at maturity. Approximate days after seeding to: emergence = 10, initial flowering = 50, and physiological maturity = 105.
Seeding Date, Depth, Pattern, and Rate: Seeding mid-May to early June. Seed at 1 1/2 to 2-inch depth in moist, firm seedbed. Solid-seeded. Rate is about 15 lb seed/acre.
Field Selection and Soil Fertility: Adapted to most soil types. Select well-drained soils. Soil N levels should be a maximum 75-80 lb/acre.
Weed Management: Use field selection, seeding dates, and preplant tillage as no herbicides are labeled. Competes well with weeds when plant canopy has covered ground.
Potential Diseases, Insects, and Other Pests: Diseases = Sclerotinia. Insects: grasshoppers and painted lady butterfly (thistle caterpillar). Other pests = birds. Bees hives should be present to enhance pollination and seed set.
Harvest and Storage: Must be swathed. Swathing should be 7 to 10 days after first seed drop (crop must be monitored closely). Leave high stubble to hold swathe off ground. Allow several (5-10) days of drying before harvest. Store at less than 8% seed moisture.
Seed Yield: Average commercial yield is about 150 lb/acre but harvested yields have reached over 300 lb/acre.
Markets: Contact Oilseed Partners (877-300-6029) or Kings (701-652-1826) for seed contracts.
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