Investigating the Efficacy of Integrating Energy Crops into Non-Profitable Subfields in Iowa

Nair, Shyam K.; Griffel, L. Michael; Hartley, Damon S.; McNunn, Gabe S.; Kunz, M. Ross

doi:10.1007/s12155-018-9925-0

Investigating the Efficacy of Integrating Energy Crops into Non-Profitable Subfields in Iowa

Journal Article · Tue Jun 19 00:00:00 EDT 2018 · BioEnergy Research

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1007/s12155-018-9925-0· OSTI ID:1478466

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Idaho National Lab. (INL), Idaho Falls, ID (United States). Bioenergy Technologies, Clean Energy and Transportation Science & Technology, EES&T Division
AgSolver, Inc., Ames, IA (United States)

We present that within-field spatial variability reduces growers’ return on investment and overall productivity while potentially increasing negative environmental impacts through increased soil erosion, nutrient runoff, and leaching. The hypothesis that integrating energy crops into non-profitable segments of agricultural fields could potentially increase grain yield and biomass feedstock production was tested in this study using a statewide analysis of predominantly corn- and soy-producing counties in Iowa. Basic and rigorous controls on permissible soil and soil-carbon losses were imposed on harvest of crop residues to enhance year-to-year sustainability of crop and residue production. Additional criteria limiting harvesting costs and focus on large-area subfields for biomass production were imposed to reduce the impacts of energy crop integration on grain production. Model simulations were conducted using 4 years (2013–2016) of soil, weather, crop yield, and management practice data on all counties in Iowa. Miscanthus (Miscanthus x giganteus), switchgrass (Panicum virgatum), and crop-residue-based bioenergy feedstock systems were evaluated as biomass. Average energy crop and plant residue harvesting efficiencies were estimated at 50 and 60%, respectively. Because of higher potential yields, average logistics costs for miscanthus-based biomass production were 15 and 23% lower than switchgrass-based and crop residue-based biomass productions, respectively, under basic sustainability controls, and 17 and 26% lower under rigorous sustainability controls. Lastly, subfield shape, size, area, and harvest equipment size were the dominant factors influencing harvesting cost and efficiency suggesting that in areas where subfields are predominantly profitable or harvesting efficiencies low, other options such as prairie strips, buffer zones around fields, and riparian areas should be investigated for more profitable biomass production and sustainable farming systems.

View Accepted Manuscript (DOE)

Research Organization:: Idaho National Laboratory (INL), Idaho Falls, ID (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Bioenergy Technologies Office (EE-3B)

Grant/Contract Number:: AC07-05ID14517

OSTI ID:: 1478466

Report Number(s):: INL/JOU--17-44011-Rev000

Journal Information:: BioEnergy Research, Journal Name: BioEnergy Research Journal Issue: 3 Vol. 11; ISSN 1939-1234

Publisher:: SpringerCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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Investigating the Efficacy of Integrating Energy Crops into Non-Profitable Subfields in Iowa

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