Monday, November 5, 2007 - 3:00 PM
49-4
The Economics, From a Producer Perspective, of Biomass Harvesting.
Midwestern US agriculture is poised to experience a significant shift in crop production philosophy, from providing food and fiber to a major emphasis in energy farming. To increase biomass-based energy production, it is likely that crop residues as well as other biomass sources will be harvested for ethanol production. The collection and removal of plant residues, which today are typically left in the field, must be done in a manner that does not impair land productivity, diminish water quality, or result in unwanted carbon emissions. Resource planners often assume that non-harvested materials have little or no value if left on the soil surface. This is not true. Corn stover may contain 0.7%N. Based on the N content of the stover (0.007%) and a value of $0.8/kg of N, 10,000 kg of stover ha-1 is worth $56/ha. Corn stover also contains C (>40%), P (0.2%), and K (1%) that also has value if left on the soil. In addition these potential feedstocks may have value for providing cover for pheasants. To be profitable, the selling price for ethanol biofeed stocks must exceed their value if left un-harvested. Other proposed feedstocks, wheat straw and switch grass, have similar questions. This paper will discuss the ramification of conducting a cost accounting associated with the biofeedstocks.
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