Feedstock Crop Production Costs and Biofuel Feedstock Input Costs Associated with the Production of Energy Cane and Sweet Sorghum in the Southeastern USA

Abstract

Concentration of biofuel feedstock crop production in specific regions of the USA is dependent on the relative comparative advantage of production in a specific region based on several agronomic and economic factors. For the southeastern region of the USA, energy cane and sweet sorghum have been identified as two feedstock crops with the greatest potential for further development of production. This study utilized field trial data from yield studies in Louisiana to develop estimates of feedstock crop production costs and biofuel feedstock input costs for these two crops. Results indicated that feedstock production costs on a harvest yield basis, as well as the related dry matter basis, were heavily dependent on yield level. Economic research from this study indicated that energy cane had a slight cost advantage compared with sweet sorghum, although production of sorghum in certain periods during the growing season was very cost competitive with energy cane.

Screening of alkali‐assisted storage conditions to define the operational window of deacetylation within storage systems in the bioenergy supply chain

“…This may not be possible with a crop such as corn stover, which is limited to 1–2 ton acre −1 harvest yields. However, other energy crops such as switchgrass, miscanthus, or biomass sorghum 46–49 produce higher harvest yields and could benefit from the approach described in this study.…”

Bioenergy Crops as a Promising Alternative to Fossil Fuels in Louisiana: A Geographic Information System (GIS) Perspective

“…Adverse effects of electricity technologies include large amounts of water consumption during the operation of biomass power generation systems, increased bird and bat mortality and disrupted migration patterns from wind turbines, conversion of land from agriculture and other uses to host utility-scale PV systems, and the introduction of hazardous materials into the environment if PV panels and batteries are not disposed of or recycled properly. Secondly, [3] argues that increased biofuel production will most likely result in habitat loss, increased and enhanced dispersion of invasive species, and pollution, whereas the biodiversity consequences of increased biofuel production will most likely result in habitat loss, increased and enhanced dispersion of invasive species, and pollution Thirdly, according to Selassi et al [12], even as the production of bioenergy feedstock crops in the United States increases in response to the continued growth and advancement of the biofuel and bioenergy industries, so will competition for agricultural land for the production of feedstock crops compared to conventional crops. Due to the viability of soil and climate to potential feedstock crops, as well as other factors, competition for agricultural land is expected to be more predominant in some regions of the country than others.…”

“…The global demand for biofuels, which could reach 20% to 30% of total energy demand, will increase land use competition between traditional and newly developed biofuel feedstock crops. Also, the production of biofuel feedstock crops that meet stringent sustainability criteria will remain significant, with both supportive and competitive implications for food security [12].…”