New cash crop for local farmers
Common milkweed, Asclepias syriaca, is a perennial crop
traditionally considered a nuisance weed by farmers throughout the
Midwest. However, the Alternative
Crops Research Program at Western Illinois University is currently seeking to
add milkweed to the list of agronomic crops grown in the western counties of
Illinois. The production of milkweed
for floss and seed could provide local farmers with a new crop option that
provides annual returns with minimal maintenance.
Commercial uses of milkweed
The market for milkweed fibers, seed, meal, and oil are
developing rapidly as new uses for milkweed products are found. Traditionally, common milkweed floss was
used as filling in life jackets during World War II and the seed of the
milkweed has been cultivated as monarch butterfly habitat in prairies and
preserves throughout the United States.
Currently, the Natural Fibers Corporation based in Ogallala, Nebraska
is manufacturing comforters and pillows made from milkweed fibers. The floss has a higher thermal rating than
goose down and is hypoallergenic.
Other parts of the plant also have potential uses in latex production,
nematicide applications, and the cosmetics industry.
Western Illinois University began field trials of common
milkweed in the summer of 2001. First
year studies investigated intra-row spacing and the effects of coal dust on
follicle and stalk biomass in the first year of production. Second year's projects focused on
inter-row spacing, nitrogen requirements, and planting dates. Work will also
continue on developing harvesting techniques and drying equipment.
and Continuing Research Projects