William Hubbard has served as the Regional Forester for the Extension Service-Southern Region since 1993. This is a liaison to thirteen 1862 University Land Grant University and the Southern Region of the U.S. Forest Service. His work involves using new and traditional technologies in regional educational programming and enhanced communication and coordination of information and activities across states and agencies in the areas of forestry and natural resource management. He previously held several teaching, research and Extension positions at the …
Test Plots Show How Perennial Grasses Can Be Grown for Biofuels
Use these protocols to set up test plots of perennial grasses to demonstrate to producers the potential for growing bioenergy feedstocks.
Table of Contents
- Choose and set up a test plot site
- Establishment
- Managing weeds in a test plot
- Harvest after a killing frost
- Test Plant Quality
- How Well is the Stand Doing?
- Conclusion
- FAQ
- For Additional Information
- Contributors to this Article
Researchers, farmers, and industry representatives across the country are interested …
Successfully Harvest Switchgrass Grown for Biofuel
Learn rationale and best practices & equipment for harvesting perennial grass biomass.
Table of Contents
- Harvesting After Frost Proves Beneficial
- Cutting Switchgrass and Other High-Yield Grasses
- Switchgrass Drying Rate
- Better Bale Density Cuts Cost
- Harvest as Dry Hay or Chop for Storage
- Bale Handling and Aggregation
- Energy Requirements of Harvest and Processing
- Summary
- For Additional Information
- Contributors to this Article
Delaying harvest until after a killing frost …
Logistical Challenges to Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) as a Bioenergy Crop
There’s more to producing a crop like switchgrass for bioenergy than just growing it. Harvesting, storing, transporting, and selling perennial grass feedstocks must be taken into consideration to make it a successful venture.
Table of Contents
- Transporting Biofuel Feedstocks
- Biomass Harvesting Technology
- Biomass Storage Systems
- Selling the Energy Crop
- Conclusion
- For Additional Information
- Contributors to this Article
Although switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) and other perennial grasses such as Indian grass …
Research Summary: Biochar Can Improve the Sustainability of Stover Removal for Bioenergy
By returning biochar created by fast pyrolysis to the soil, more stover residue can be harvested for bioenergy without degrading soil quality or hurting crop yields in the long run.
Table of Contents
- Research Activities
- What We Have Learned
- Why is This Important?
- For More Information
- Contributors to this Summary
Research Activities
Biochar being incorporated by tillage.
|
|
Photo: David Laird, Iowa State University. |
David Laird, professor of agronomy at Iowa University, hypothesized …
Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L) Stand Establishment: Key Factors for Success
Table of Contents
- Why Establishment is Important
- Is Switchgrass Feasible for the Area?
- Soil Conditions & Planting Dates for Switchgrass
- Use a High-Quality Certified Seed
- Develop a Good Seedbed
- Planting Methods
- Manage Weeds ASAP!
- Determining a Successful Stand
- For Additional Information
- Contributors to this Article
Successful establishment is critical to the long-term economic viability of a switchgrass stand. But it is not difficult if these key management practices are followed: development of …
Transformation and Agronomic Use of Nutrients From Digester Effluent
Table of Contents
- Anaerobic Digestion Nutrient Transformations
- Chemical Composition of Digested Effluent
- Liquids-Solids Separation
- Potential for Increased Efficiencies
- References
- Contributors
Anaerobic Digestion Nutrient Transformations
Anaerobic digestion (AD) is the process in which organic compounds are broken down by naturally occurring bacteria, including methanogenic microorganisms under oxygen free conditions, transforming organic matter into biogas (methane (CH4), carbon dioxide (CO2), water vapor, ammonia, and hydrogen sulfide) (Dugba and Zhang, 1999; AgSTAR, 2010b). The end products of this process include biogas, a renewable …
What is the amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) per pound of coal compared to pound of wood that is released into the air when each is burned?
The amount of carbon dioxide released from coal and wood depends on the type of coal or wood consumed and the moisture contents of both. A very rough estimate is that for each unit of coal or wood consumed, 1.5 units of CO2 are released. Higher-grade coal has higher carbon content so the amount of CO2 released per unit mass would also be higher.
The major difference between the carbon released from burning coal and wood is that …
Cayuga County Manure Digester Virtual Tour
Anaerobic digestion is a manure treatment system that produces biogas. There are many benefits of digestion such as reductions in: odor, pathogens, and greenhouse gases (climate change). Producing biogas from manure yields useful by-products. The economics of digestion are dependent on state energy policies and co-digestion of off-farm wastes to generate revenue.
Cayuga County Regional Digester (New York)
This virtual tour highlights the Cayuga County Soil & Water Conservation District regional digester. This facility receives …
Bioenergy Curriculum
A thorough bioenergy curriculum for all audiences, created by over 40 university specialists.This curriculum from the Bioenergy Training Center was created by over 40 university specialists in the U.S. North Central region to provide unbiased, researched and peer-reviewed information for this emerging field.
Targeted for Extension and other community educators, these resources also provide valuable information for farmers, landowners, community leaders, industry and the inquisitive public.
Online courses are offered as modules, where learners can choose to study sequentially …