nifa – Farm Energy

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

Making Business Decisions with Precision Data Can Encourage Perennial Grass Production

Case Study: AgSolver, an Iowa-based company, helps producers shift to perennial grass production using software tools that assess crop potential and profitability.

Sponsoring Partner

Funded by AFRI. Learn More.

Introduction
In The Real World
Is Scale A Hurdle?
The Big Picture
For More Information
Contributors to This Case Study

Introduction

Not all cropland can profitably grow crops such as corn and soybeans. Even with the help of the newest technologies, farmers don’t necessarily make money—or reap …

April 3, 2019April 15, 2019

Evaluation of Anthracnose Severity on Switchgrass Cultivars and Accessions

Anthracnose may significantly decrease biomass yield of switchgrass. Research explores tolerance of cultivars to Colletotrichum navitas.

Introduction
Anthracnose
Symptomology and Disease Cycle of Anthracnose in Switchgrass
Cultivar Evaluation for Anthracnose Resistance
References Cited
Contributors to this Research Summary

Anthracnose (caused by Colletotrichum navitas) may negatively impact biomass yield of switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.), often grown for bioenergy purposes. Consequently, evaluating cultivar and accession response to anthracnose is crucial for maximizing production efficiency and developing cultivars …

April 3, 2019April 15, 2019

ReEnergy Holdings: Offering Markets for Biomass in the Northeast

Biomass fuel is loaded into boilers at ReEnergy’s green energy facilities. Photo: ReEnergy.

ReEnergy Holdings LLC works with willow growers and uses waste and shrub willow wood to generate electricity.

Introduction
Shrub Willow Helps Fire Electric Plants
Working with Willow Growers
Recycler of Waste Wood
The Big Picture
For More Information
Contributors to this Summary

Introduction

As a vertically integrated renewable energy company, ReEnergy Holdings LLC is an important link in the Northeast’s bioenergy supply …

April 3, 2019April 15, 2019

Current USDA NIFA AFRI CAPs

USDA-NIFA (National Institute for Food and Agriculture) currently funds 7 bioenergy Coordinated Agricultural Projects (CAPs) through Agricultural and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) Grants.

AFRI CAP Biofuel Feedstocks and Project Locations

Explore the NIFA Bioenergy CAPs:

Advanced Hardwood Biofuels Northwest (AHB)
Lead Institute: University of Washington
Awarded: 2011
Feedstock: Purpose grown woody crops (e.g. poplar)
Conversion platform target: Hybrid bio/thermochemical conversion
Industrial Partners: ZeaChem Inc.

Northwest Advanced Renewables Alliance (NARA)
Lead Institute: Washington State University
Awarded: 2011
Feedstock: Forestry residuals
Conversion …

April 3, 2019April 15, 2019

New Holland Agriculture Expands Offerings for Biomass Harvest and Handling

Renewable energy production options are growing thanks to expanded farm equipment capabilities for harvesting biofuel feedstocks like shrub willow.

Case New Holland’s 130 FB coppice header harvesting shrub willow by cutting and chipping the crop in one pass. Photo: SUNY-ESF.

Introduction
Coppice Header Story
New Holland Looks to a Bioenergy Future
Next Steps
For Additional Information
Contributors to This Case Study

Introduction

Harvesting is the single most expensive operation in the production of shrub willow biomass, …

April 3, 2019April 15, 2019

Double A Willow Strengthens Biomass Supply Chain by Providing Willow Plantings to Biofuels Industry

As the largest supplier of shrub willow planting stock in the United States, Double A Willow is a critical link between research and the commercial development of renewable energy.

Double A Willow owner, Dennis Rak, with some of his original plantings.

Growing Willow for Others
The Long View
Summary
For Additional Information
Contributors to This Case Study

Introduction

Double A Willow in Fredonia, New York, is the main source of shrub willow planting material for biomass energy …

April 3, 2019April 15, 2019

Ernst Conservation Seeds Transforms Leftover Biomass into Energy Product

Switchgrass biomass left over after seed harvest had little value for Ernst Conservation Seeds until the company began using it to manufacture pellets.

Switchgrass pellets. Photo credit: Calvin Ernst.

Introduction
From Crown Vetch to Conservation and More
How the Ernst Biomass Operation Works
Early Hurdles
A Local Asset
Goals for the Future
For More Information
Contributors to This Summary

Introduction

Ernst Conservation Seeds in Meadville, Pennsylvania has been growing and marketing grass seed for more than fifty …

April 3, 2019April 15, 2019

Terra Green Energy: Pioneers in Torrefaction for Commercial Co-Combustion

A torrefaction demonstration facility employs a patented process to convert biomass into a renewable, energy-dense carbon carrier that functions much like coal, and which can be burned in existing coal-fired power plants

Torrefaction reactor. Photo credit: Terra Green.

An Innovator in Commercial Torrefaction
The Advantages of Torrefied Biomass
Terra Green’s Demonstration Facility
Torrefaction’s Role in Existing Power Production Facilities
The Future of Torrefaction
For More Information
Contributors to This Case Study

An Innovator in Commercial Torrefaction

Terra …

Tag: nifa

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

Making Business Decisions with Precision Data Can Encourage Perennial Grass Production

Sponsoring Partner

Table of Contents

Introduction

Evaluation of Anthracnose Severity on Switchgrass Cultivars and Accessions

Table of Contents

ReEnergy Holdings: Offering Markets for Biomass in the Northeast

Table of Contents

Introduction

Current USDA NIFA AFRI CAPs

New Holland Agriculture Expands Offerings for Biomass Harvest and Handling

Table of Contents

Introduction

Double A Willow Strengthens Biomass Supply Chain by Providing Willow Plantings to Biofuels Industry

Table of Contents

Introduction

Ernst Conservation Seeds Transforms Leftover Biomass into Energy Product

Table of Contents

Introduction

Terra Green Energy: Pioneers in Torrefaction for Commercial Co-Combustion

Table of Contents

An Innovator in Commercial Torrefaction