Increasing demand for the production of energy from renewable sources has fueled a search for alternatives to supplement those currently in production. One such alternative is switchgrass, a perennial grass native to North America that appears to have considerable potential as a biomass...

In the United States, biomass is the largest source of renewable energy accounting for over 3 percent of the energy consumed domestically and is currently the only source for liquid, renewable, transportation fuels. Continued development of biomass as a renewable energy source is being driven in...

Developing fuels and vehicles that reduce our reliance on fossil fuels has become a priority due to the threat of global climate change and desire for reduced dependence on oil imports. Flexible-fuel vehicles that can run on ethanol/gasoline blends of up to 85% ethanol and hybrid electric...

The Economics of fertilizer application has been an interesting issue in regard to crop production (Kennedy et al., 1973). Understanding the temporal dynamics complicates the issue along two dimensions: fertilizer carryover and fertilizer runoff. Fertilizer carryover measures the amount of...

Energy needs of the various sectors of the food industry are outlined. Also, potential problems in meeting these needs are discussed.

Analysis of the potential to supply 25% of projected 2025 U.S. transportation fuels indicates sufficient biomass resources are available to meet increased demand while simultaneously meeting food, feed, and export needs. Corn and soybeans continue to be important feedstocks for ethanol and...

Switchgrass for bioenergy production will require substantial storage. This study evaluated costs of alternative baling and on-farm storage systems. Rectangular bales minimize cost if switchgrass is processed immediately after harvest. However, round bales minimize cost if switchgrass is stored...

Switchgrass for bioenergy production will require substantial storage. This study evaluated costs of alternative baling and on-farm storage systems. Rectangular bales minimize cost if switchgrass is processed immediately after harvest. However, round bales minimize cost if switchgrass is stored...

Feedstock production for large scale development of the U.S. ethanol industry and introduction of cellulose–to-ethanol technology will require extensive changes in land use and impact water demand and quality. This study compares two scenarios: attaining a 60 billion gallon per year target of...