FIRST YEAR BIOMASS PRODUCTION FROM CRP ACREAGE IN WESTERN OKLAHOMA

Authors: Venuto, Bradley; Daniel, John

Submitted to: American Forage and Grassland Council Conference Proceedings
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/21/2005
Publication Date: 6/12/2005
Citation: Venuto, B.C., Daniel, J.A. 2005. First year biomass production from CRP acreage in western Oklahoma [abstract]. American Forage and Grassland Council Conference Proceedings. June 12-14, 2005, Bloomington, Illinois. 2005 CDROM.

Interpretive Summary: ABSTRACT ONLY

Technical Abstract: The primary objective of this research was to determine the biomass/bioenergy yield and economic value of typical CRP land in northwestern Oklahoma. Three CRP locations were identified in cooperation with the NRCS District Conservationist stationed at Buffalo, Oklahoma. Within each location, a site dominated by introduced Old World bluestem and a site of predominantly native grasses were identified as harvest areas. Within each harvest area, there were four treatment plots consisting of no harvest, one harvest in mid-summer, one harvest in early fall, and one harvest in late fall. For mixed native species sites, species composition was determined so that the relative contribution of each species to the total plot biomass could be estimated. All plots were harvested to approximately 6 inch stubble height, biomass wet weight was recorded, and a sample was collected for dry matter determination and subsequent chemical analysis for fiber levels, carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, and ash content. Soil samples were also collected at time of harvest. Mean dry biomass yields were higher for the Old World bluestem compared to the mixed native species CRP (5040 vs. 2470 lbs/acre, respectively). Some variation in yield was observed among harvest dates within a location. There was no observed harvest by location interaction for either the Old World bluestem or native mixed species harvest areas and the locations ranked consistently for biomass production. Mean dry matter did not change between the October and December harvest dates for Old World bluestem, but dry matter continued to increase across harvest dates for the native mixed species. Because there was considerable litter accumulation and dead material from previous year’s growth, dry matter values may have been inflated. Subsequent harvest years may more accurately reflect expected values for repeated annual harvests. The number and frequency of native species at each location varied and significant differences were observed among the locations for each species counted. However, no treatment within location difference was observed for any of the respective species. These preliminary results indicate that CRP acreage planted to Old World bluestem, based entirely upon biomass production, might be a more suitable CRP biomass resource in western Oklahoma than mixed native species. Because the costs per acre to harvest and process biomass are not proportionately different for a 5040 versus a 2470 lb per acre yield, the Old World bluestem would seem to provide a greater economic advantage. However, this conclusion must be verified by subsequent data collection including the long-term impact of continued annual biomass harvests from these CRP areas.