ARS | Publication request: Rye Cover Crop As A Source Of Biomass Feedstock: An Economic Perspective

Submitted to: Southern Conservation Agricultural Systems Conference
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: July 20, 2010
Publication Date: July 20, 2010
Citation: Duzy, L.M., Arriaga, F.J., Balkcom, K.S. 2010. Rye Cover Crop As A Source Of Biomass Feedstock: An Economic Perspective. In: Endale, D.M., Iversen, K.V., editors. Proceedings of the 32nd Southern Conservation Agricultural Systems Conference, July 20-23, 2010, Jackson, Tennessee. CDROM.

Interpretive Summary: As more emphasis is placed on biopower and biofuels, the availability of biomass feedstock is taking center stage. The growth of the biomass feedstock market is further strengthened by the implementation of new regulations and federal programs. One option for biomass feedstock is the removal of cover crops, such as rye. An experiment was initiated by scientists from the Agricultural Research Service’s National Soil Dynamics Laboratory in the fall of 2006 at the E.V. Smith Research Center, Field Crops Unit near Shorter, AL to compare three rye residue management techniques (residue retained, residue harvested or removed, and no rye cover control) and four nitrogen fertilizer treatments (0, 45, 90, 125 lb ac-1). Initial findings from this study show that the removal of rye cover crops for biomass feedstock is a viable option for producers, given the assumptions in the study. Further investigation is needed to determine the complete economic impact of removing rye cover crop for biomass feedstock.

Technical Abstract: As more emphasis is placed on biopower and biofuels, the availability of biomass feedstock is taking center stage. The growth of the biomass feedstock market is further strengthened by the implementation of new regulations and federal programs. One option for biomass feedstock is the removal of cover crops, such as rye. An experiment was initiated to compare three rye residue management techniques (residue retained, residue harvested or removed, and no rye cover control) and four nitrogen fertilizer treatments (0, 45, 90, 125 lb ac-1). Initial findings from this study show that the removal of rye cover crops for biomass feedstock is a viable option for producers, given the assumptions in the study. Further investigation is needed to determine the complete economic impact of removing rye cover crop for biomass feedstock.