Course: BFM 101 Biofuels Fundamentals

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Crop Handling & Logistics

Conclusions
Conclusions

Starch- and sugar-based crops like corn and sugarcane have given rise to the fuel ethanol industry in the U.S. Farmers have increased production in attempt to keep up with rising world demand for corn. Corn is one of the most researched and best understood crops grown in the U.S., but its production also requires some of the highest inputs of fertilizer, pesticides and mechanical tillage.

Cellulose can be burned to generate electricity or converted into ethanol and other energy sources. Cellulosic crops have an advantage over corn because they have lower production inputs and in many cases are perennial crops that need to be established only once every 10-15 years. However, cellulosic crops have lower yield and less income potential per acre. Also, there are challenges in handling, storing and transporting the quantity of cellulosic biomass needed to achieve federal production mandates. Recent research is making great progress in advancing these crops and addressing these challenges but we are not there yet.

Each bioenergy crop has its own set of niches and challenges. Ultimately, if we could grow a high-yielding crop with little or no inputs we would have an ideal situation. However each crop responds differently to soil, climate and management conditions. The highest yielding crops tend to require the most inputs.

Resources provided by the eXtension Farm Energy Community of Practice at http://www.extension.org/ag+energy

Crop Handling & Logistics