Modeling Pine as a Carbon-Sequestering Crop in Arkansas

This study estimates the impact of carbon offset payments on land use choices, net producer returns, and carbon sequestration. Loblolly pine is added to traditional cropping choices as a designated carbon-sequestering crop. With a carbon offset price of $15 per ton, pine enters land use on 10 percent of pasture acres. At $30, loblolly pine significantly increases in acreage in areas traditionally planted in row crops. The analysis suggests that the addition of pine as a carbon-sequestering crop can affect land use, add to producer returns, and sequester additional carbon relative to producer choice sets that exclude pine.