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ARS Home » Plains Area » Brookings, South Dakota » Integrated Cropping Systems Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #233630
Title: Quantifying Total and Sustainable Agricultural Biomass Resources in South Dakota – A Preliminary Study

Author
item Rosentrater, Kurt
item TODEY, DENNIS - SOUTH DAKOTA STATE UNIV
item PERSYN, RUSSELL - SOUTH DAKOTA STATE UNIV

Submitted to: International Agricultural Engineering Journal
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/26/2009
Publication Date: 2/26/2009
Citation: Rosentrater, K.A., Todey, D., Persyn, R. 2009. Quantifying Total and Sustainable Agricultural Biomass Resources in South Dakota – A Preliminary Study. International Agricultural Engineering Journal. 11:1-14.

Interpretive Summary: The utilization of biomass as feedstocks for biofuels will be the next major achievement in meeting the demand for liquid transportation fuels. But shifting the agricultural paradigm to wholesale biomass utilization could result in the removal of too much of the current crop residues from agricultural fields. It is also projected that different crops (i.e., switchgrass, prairie cord grass, etc.) and cropping strategies will be used to meet the demand for biomass. To date, a major obstacle for biomass processing has been limitations on the conversion of the lignocellulose and the economics associated with this conversion. Over the last several decades, major efforts toward soil and water conservation have led to changes in management practices throughout agriculture. One of these major efforts has focused on conservation-till and no-till, with the goal of retaining biomass residues in the field to prevent erosion and to improve soil structure. If these residues were removed, it could lead to increased erosion, howeer. Environmental implications of significant changes to current cropping systems have not been thoroughly addressed, but are absolutely essential to consider. This paper will focus on South Dakota as a case study to determine the potential for biomass removal, and the implications thereof for the utilization of these materials. We will consider optimizing the amount of biomass that can be harvested both with and without consideration of a minimum level of crop residue left in the field. Meeting our nation’s transportation fuel needs can be accomplished sustainably, but these issues need to be discussed sooner rather than later.

Technical Abstract: Conversion of biomass is considered the next major advance in biorenewable fuels, energy, and products. Wholesale conversion to biomass utilization could result in removal of current crop residues from agricultural fields or even implementation of different crops and cropping strategies (i.e., switchgrass). To date, the driver for biomass processing has been economics and limitations on the conversion of the lignocellulose. Over the last forty years significant investments and resultant changes in management practices in the agricultural sector have focused on soil and water conservation. One of the major efforts has focused on conservation-till or no-till, with the goal of retaining biomass residues in the field to prevent erosion and to improve soil structure. Environmental implications of significant changes to current cropping systems have not been thoroughly addressed, however. This paper will focus on using South Dakota as a case study to determine the potential for biomass and the implications thereof for the utilization of these materials. We will consider optimizing the amount of biomass that can be harvested with and without consideration of a minimum level of crop residue left in the field. Meeting our nation’s transportation fuel needs can be accomplished sustainably, but these issues need to be addressed now, at the outset of this revolution.