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Research Summary: Biomass Crop Production Benefits from a Wide Spectrum of Marketing Opportunities

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

A wide range of potential markets spans the bioenergy supply chain for biomass crops including switchgrass and miscanthus, and woody plants such as willow.

 

 

 

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Abstract

Biomass crops such as switchgrass, miscanthus, and shrub willow are not only intended for bioenergy production but for other non-energy market …

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Research Summary: Competition For Land Use—Why Would a Rational Producer Grow Switchgrass for Biofuel?

Farmers value the conservation and environmental benefits of switchgrass grown for biofuels but also consider profit, alternative land uses, and public policy incentives when making production decisions.

 

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Funded by AFRI. Learn More.

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Abstract

Switchgrass production must compete with other potential land uses and be profitable for growers, and biofuel markets for perennial grasses …

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Northeast Farm Energy IQ CURRICULUM

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Farm Energy IQ provides a Northeast regional “train the trainer” program to build the capacity and confidence of Ag Service Providers to help farmers enhance operational sustainability in the context of the farm economy and ecosystem of the region.
 

NE Farm Energy IQ Toolkit for each topic area includes:

  • Module Overview with instructions for presentations to Ag Service Providers (ASP) and Farmers
  • “Train the Trainer” Presentation
  • Farmer Presentation
  • Educational Materials for educators, service providers, and
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Resources from CenUSA – Sustainable Production and Distribution of Bioenergy for the Central USA

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Funded by AFRI. Learn More.

 

 

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CenUSA BLADES Newsletter

 

CenUSA Bioenergy is a coordinated research and education effort investigating the creation of a regional system in the Central US for producing advanced transportation fuels from perennial grasses on land that is either unsuitable or marginal for row crop production. In addition to producing advanced biofuels, the proposed system will improve the sustainability of existing cropping systems by reducing agricultural runoff of nutrients in soil and increasing carbon sequestration.…

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Research Summary: Safety and Health Risks of Producing Biomass on the Farm

It is time to develop ways to minimize safety and health hazards in biomass production on the farm, an area in which there has been little research

Switchgrass baling
Switchgrass baling on steep marginal land presents a rollover hazard. Photo: Douglas Schaufler, Penn State.

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Abstract

With increasing numbers of farmers growing biomass for renewable energy uses, new risks of …

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Daniel Ciolkosz, Penn State

Dr. Ciolkosz is a research and extension associate in Penn State’s Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering. He works to develop engineering knowhow that will help Pennsylvania’s farms produce bioenergy and improve energy efficiency. This includes a variety of extension efforts with farmers, business developers, landowners, and biomass end users. The specific work can take on many forms, such as providing technical advice to individuals, hosting advanced bioenergy short courses, editing new books on wood energy, helping schools and other …

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Research Summary: Exploring On-Farm Pyrolysis Processing of Biofuels

The USDA-ARS FarmBio3 project explores whether on-farm fast-pyrolysis processing units could be a component of an efficient and cost-effective decentralized system of biofuel production and processing.

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FarmBio3 mobile pyrolysis system travels among farms simulating the real-world scenario of multiple on-farm units that convert feedstocks to bio-oil, which is delivered to a regional biorefinery. Photo credit: USDA-ARS Pyrolysis Team.

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Research Summary: Characteristics of Willow Biomass Chips Produced Using a Single-Pass Cut-and-Chip Harvester

Harvest method impacts wood chip quality–use a single-pass cut-and-chip method and willow makes the grade.

Sample of willow biomass chips produced from a single pass cut and chip harvester based on a New Holland forage harvester.
Sample of willow biomass chips produced from a single pass cut and chip harvester based on a New Holland forage harvester. Photo: Timothy Volk.

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Introduction

Biomass for bioenergy and/or bioproducts can be sourced from forests, agricultural crops, various residue streams,

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Biochar: Prospects of Commercialization

Learn all about biochar–what it is, and how it benefits soils and the climate by sequestering carbon.

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Funded by AFRI. Learn More.

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What is Biochar?

Biochar is charred …

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U.S. Billion-Ton Update Shows Farms and Forests Have Huge Potential for U.S. Bioenergy Future

U.S. farms and forests have the potential to supply enough biomass to meet the Renewable Fuels Standard and replace more than a third of petroleum use with bioenergy by 2030, according to the U.S. Billion-Ton Update. 

 

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NASA Earth Observatory: Where The Trees Are. Photo:
NASA Earth Observatory: Where The Trees Are. Photo: Wikipedia.
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