Feedstocks – Farm Energy

April 3, 2019April 15, 2019

NEWBio Commercial Collaborators: Building a Sustainable Energy Future in the Northeast United States

Sponsoring Partner

Logo NEWBio
Funded by AFRI. Learn More.

The Northeast region of the United States (from the Ohio River to the New England coast) has the natural, social, and technological resources needed to help create a sustainable, rural renaissance by using biomass to create biofuels, biopower, and advanced bioproducts. The Northeast Woody/Warm-Season Biomass Consortium (NEWBio) believes that the path to this vision is through collaboration with commercial innovators along various points of the bioeconomy supply chain. NEWBio’s commercial collaborators, biomass-based …

April 3, 2019April 12, 2019

Research Summary: What Would it Take to Convince Farmers to Grow Switchgrass for Biomass?

Researchers delve into the economic incentives that would induce farmers to grow switchgrass for cellulosic biofuel.

Sponsoring Partner

Funded by AFRI. Learn More.

Abstract
Research Purpose
Research Activities
What We Have Learned
Why Is This Important?
For More Information
Contributors to This Summary

Abstract

A survey of crop farmers in the North-Central region of the United States finds that they would ask for an average of $230 per acre, or about $82 per dry ton, to …

April 3, 2019April 12, 2019

CenUSA Models Predict Large Water Quality Improvements from Perennials

CenUSA’s System Performance team research shows water quality benefits when biofuels are produced from perennial grasses; provides guidance for policymakers, farmers, and the bioenergy industry.

Sponsoring Partner

Funded by AFRI. Learn More.

The Team and Objectives
Team Activities
Outcomes from The Team’s Work
Why This Work Is Important
Contributors to This Report
CenUSA Feedstock Development Team Publications

CenUSA-cycle-graphic

The Team and Objectives

Despite more than 40 years of largely voluntary efforts by federal, state and local government, …

April 3, 2019April 12, 2019

CenUSA Feedstock Development Creates Improved Switchgrass Varieties

Sponsoring Partner

Funded by AFRI. Learn More.

CenUSA Feedstock Development Team identifies gene pools and genetic diversity for improved switchgrass varieties and increased yields.

Team Objectives
The Team and Collaborators
Team Activities
Outcomes from The Team’s Work
Why This Work Is Important
Contributors to This Report
CenUSA Feedstock Development Team Publications

CenUSA-cycle-graphic

Team Objectives

The objective of the CenUSA Feedstock Development team is to develop new and improved perennial grass varieties and hybrids that can be used …

April 3, 2019April 12, 2019

Research Summary: Overview of Comparative Injury Risk Between Annual Corn and Perennial Switchgrass Production

A probabilistic risk assessment model has been created to compare estimated worker injury risk of corn vs switchgrass production.

Sponsoring Partner

Funded by AFRI. Learn More.

Introduction
Injury risk model
Comparing injury risk in corn and switchgrass production systems
Summary
References
Contributors to This Summary

Introduction

Switchgrass is a perennial crop alternative for biofuel production on marginal land in the U.S. Cornbelt. Estimating change in worker injury risk moving from corn to switchgrass production would be …

April 3, 2019April 12, 2019

CenUSA Feedstock Conversion, Refining and Co-Products

Thermochemical processes convert biomass to liquid bio-fuel and produce biochar, a valuable co-product for soil quality and reduced greenhouse gas emissions.

Sponsoring Partner

Funded by AFRI. Learn More.

Team Objectives
Collaborators
Team Activities
Outcomes from The Team’s Work
Future Work
Contributors to This Report
CenUSA Feedstock Conversion and Refining Team Publications

CenUSA-cycle-graphic

Team Objectives

The work of CenUSA’s Feedstock Conversion and Refining Team begins after the perennial-grass feedstock leaves the farmgate. What to do with the raw …

April 3, 2019April 12, 2019

CenUSA Feedstock Logistics: Innovative Systems for Harvest, Transportation, and Storage of Perennial Grass Biomass

New strategies, equipment, and processes make for improved efficiency and sustainability in the production of perennial grasses.

Sponsoring Partner

Funded by AFRI. Learn More.

CenUSA Logistics Team Objectives
Speeding Up Drydown at Harvest
Bale Compression for increased Density
Quantifying Necessary Tension of Baling Twine
Designing a Baler That’s Lighter, Cheaper, Simpler
Modeling for improved Harvest and Storage
The Out-Takes
Outcomes
Authors of This Report
CenUSA Logistics Team Publications

CenUSA-cycle-graphic

Team Objectives

The CenUSA’s Feedstock Logistics team’s …

April 3, 2019April 15, 2019

FAQs about Perennial Grass (Switchgrass) Production for Biofuels

Frequently Asked Questions – FAQs

Sponsoring Partner

Funded by AFRI. Learn More.

Switchgrass. Photo: Dennis Pennington, Bioenergy Educator, Michigan State University.

Why is it important to be able to grow a consistent and uniform supply of a biomass feedstock?
Will switchgrass grow well in my region?
When should I plant switchgrass?
Should I fertilize switchgrass when I plant it?
Will weeds be a problem after my switchgrass stand is established?
How high should I cut switchgrass? I am growing

…

April 3, 2019April 12, 2019

Research Summary: Switchgrass Hay Utillization as Roughage in Beef Diets

Sponsoring Partner

Funded by AFRI. Learn More.

Switchgrass Hay Could Be a Useful Roughage in Beef Diets While Offering a Market Alternative to Biofuels.

Introduction
Research Purpose
Research Activities
What We Have Learned
Why Is This Important?
For More Information
Contributors to This Summary

Introduction

Feedlots could use hay from perennial grasses such as switchgrass as an additional source of roughage in beef rations, at the same time providing a needed alternative market for producers who …

April 3, 2019April 12, 2019

Soil Health For Sustainable Agriculture

This Soil Health For Sustainable Agriculture module is part of the Biomass Energy Training Curriculum, 13 modules developed through a Southern SARE grant and collaboration between Tennessee State University, the University of Tennessee, eXtension.org, and USDA-Rural Development. While it is written as a training guide for TN producers, much of the information is applicable throughout the Southeastern US region.

This curriculum is designed to increase the knowledge base of extension agents and local officials on biomass energy; so that

…

Category: Feedstocks

NEWBio Commercial Collaborators: Building a Sustainable Energy Future in the Northeast United States

Sponsoring Partner

Research Summary: What Would it Take to Convince Farmers to Grow Switchgrass for Biomass?

Sponsoring Partner

Table of Contents

Abstract

CenUSA Models Predict Large Water Quality Improvements from Perennials

Table of Contents

The Team and Objectives

CenUSA Feedstock Development Creates Improved Switchgrass Varieties

Sponsoring Partner

Table of Contents

Team Objectives

Research Summary: Overview of Comparative Injury Risk Between Annual Corn and Perennial Switchgrass Production

Sponsoring Partner

Table of Contents

Introduction

CenUSA Feedstock Conversion, Refining and Co-Products

Table of Contents

Team Objectives

CenUSA Feedstock Logistics: Innovative Systems for Harvest, Transportation, and Storage of Perennial Grass Biomass

Sponsoring Partner

Table of Contents

Team Objectives

FAQs about Perennial Grass (Switchgrass) Production for Biofuels

Frequently Asked Questions – FAQs

Sponsoring Partner

Research Summary: Switchgrass Hay Utillization as Roughage in Beef Diets

Sponsoring Partner

Table of Contents

Introduction

Soil Health For Sustainable Agriculture