Re: [Biofuel] Fwd: Producing Ethanol--and Conserving the Soil
Thats the one. The peasants, by a process of natural selection have 'assisted' nature. Bill understood the dynamics of forest ecosystems when he was a park warden (dont quote me on that one! I remember he was working in a National park. I think the story is in 'Permaculture One'.) Bill was living not too far from me, near Mullumbimby. Not sure if he is still there. regards Doug On Friday 27 April 2007 07:40:31 am Joe Street wrote: Good point Doug. Actually the kudos go to Mother nature I guess. Isn't permaculture just an immitation of what nature figured out for itself? Joe doug wrote: Hi, Bill Mollison would not rate himself as the 'inventor' of permaculture. He has merely made us all aware that nature is worth nurturing, natural systems will reach a type of balance. Bill Mollison may be the inventor of the term 'Permaculture' but the inventors are the myriad generations of Peasant farmers on which his system is based. I think you will find he is a very humble man. He has done many great things, re-introducing sustainable agriculture to many people. Please see him, meet him learn! regards Doug ___ Biofuel mailing list Biofuel@sustainablelists.org http://sustainablelists.org/mailman/listinfo/biofuel_sustainablelists.org Biofuel at Journey to Forever: http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.html Search the combined Biofuel and Biofuels-biz list archives (50,000 messages): http://www.mail-archive.com/biofuel@sustainablelists.org/
Re: [Biofuel] Fwd: Producing Ethanol--and Conserving the Soil
Hi , Keith Thank you bringing here the very important report Residual biomass = Food+Fiber+Feed+Fertilizer+Fuel Brazilian sugarcane distillery is also exploring very well the use of a byproduct effluent of ethanol fermentation as an organic additive to soils. This is also an example of the innovations very well to support residue removal , integrated very well with the feed , not yet for fiber, where as the solid residues India are used for paper production.More recycling of the solid residues incorporated with the effluent in Brazilian sugar cane field is more sustainable compared to India, where 10 times more chemical fertilizers , and also very significant amount of the toxic chemicals , well promoted by the very big blue companies, are used and thus less sustainable, thus raw very less green technology.The inoculated microbes as bio fertilizer also the other approach well applied in Brazil, thus making very sucess for the sustainable Brazilian biofuel project. Thus , the natural farming is no more out dated , yet the best way .This method need more recycle of solid residues for the soil , thus the system can be more productive and also more sustainable.Thus the recycle can be more easy as fertilizer rather than the fuel production . sd Pannir, Brasil 2007/4/25, Keith Addison [EMAIL PROTECTED]: From: ARS News Service [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Producing Ethanol--and Conserving the Soil Date: Wed, 25 Apr 2007 08:01:25 -0400 STORY LEAD: In Producing Ethanol, Some Cornstalks Should be Left in the Field ___ ARS News Service Agricultural Research Service, USDA Don Comis, (301) 504-1625, [EMAIL PROTECTED] April 25, 2007 --View this report online, plus photos and related stories, at www.ars.usda.gov/is/pr ___ If conservation of soil organic matter is taken into account, the United States at best has to cut in half the amount of cornstalks that can be harvested to produce ethanol, according to an Agricultural Research Service (ARS) study. Jane Johnson, a soil scientist with the ARS North Central Soil Conservation Research Laboratory in Morris, Minn., found that twice as many cornstalks have to be left in the field to maintain soil organic matter levels, compared to the amount of stalks needed only to prevent erosion. This doesn't mean harvesting cornstalks for cellulosic ethanol isn't feasible--just that when you add soil organic matter concerns to erosion concerns, it slashes the amount of cornstalks available for conversion to ethanol. For example, 213-bushel-per-acre corn yields leave farmers an average four tons per acre of cornstalks after harvest. Farmers could then harvest about two tons of cornstalks per acre for conversion to ethanol--but only from land with low erosion risks, using little or no tillage. If the same farmers rotate with soybeans as recommended, they can only remove half again as much biomass for ethanol production, or just one ton per acre, to compensate for the lower biomass left by soybeans. Johnson's estimates are part of the Renewable Energy Assessment Project (REAP), formally created in 2006, although she and a core group of colleagues have worked on these measurements for several years prior. REAP was formed to ensure that cellulosic ethanol programs will be sustainable. Most participants work with corn, but others work on switchgrass for cellulosic ethanol. When cellulosic ethanol is made from corn, it uses cornstalks as well as grain. There are nine ARS locations participating in REAP in eight states, from Alabama to Indiana to Oregon. The new program also aims to compare the economic value of biomass for bioenergy versus its value for storing soil carbon. REAP will provide guidelines on harvesting biomass to corn farmers, land managers, the biomass industry and action agencies. Johnson also explored the use of a byproduct of ethanol fermentation as an organic additive to soils. This is an example of the innovations needed to support residue removal. ARS is the U.S. Department of Agriculture's chief in-house scientific research agency. ___ This is one of the news reports that ARS Information distributes to subscribers on weekdays. Send feedback and questions to the ARS News Service at [EMAIL PROTECTED] * You are subscribed to ARS News as [EMAIL PROTECTED] * To change the address, please notify the ARS News Service at [EMAIL PROTECTED] * To unsubscribe, send a blank email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] * Other ARS news products are available by e-mail. For details about them or to subscribe, please contact the ARS News Service or visit http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/pr/lists.htm. __ ARS News Service, Information Staff, Agricultural Research Service 5601 Sunnyside Ave., Room 1-2251, Beltsville MD 20705-5128 [EMAIL PROTECTED] | www.ars.usda.gov/news Phone (301) 504-1638 | fax (301) 504-1486
Re: [Biofuel] Fwd: Producing Ethanol--and Conserving the Soil
Hi Pannir Hi , Keith Thank you bringing here the very important report Residual biomass = Food+Fiber+Feed+Fertilizer+Fuel Brazilian sugarcane distillery is also exploring very well the use of a byproduct effluent of ethanol fermentation as an organic additive to soils. This is also an example of the innovations very well to support residue removal , integrated very well with the feed , not yet for fiber, where as the solid residues India are used for paper production.More recycling of the solid residues incorporated with the effluent in Brazilian sugar cane field is more sustainable compared to India, where 10 times more chemical fertilizers , and also very significant amount of the toxic chemicals , well promoted by the very big blue companies, are used and thus less sustainable, thus raw very less green technology.The inoculated microbes as bio fertilizer also the other approach well applied in Brazil, thus making very sucess for the sustainable Brazilian biofuel project. Thus , the natural farming is no more out dated , yet the best way .This method need more recycle of solid residues for the soil , thus the system can be more productive and also more sustainable.Thus the recycle can be more easy as fertilizer rather than the fuel production . Quite so. Interesting that J.I. Rodale wrote about essentially the same problem in 1946: http://journeytoforever.org/farm_library/paydirt/paydirt_3b.html Pay Dirt - Part 3b Scroll down to Chemurgy. Also, applying Albert Howard's work in the 1920s with the development in India of the Indore composting system (the foundation stone of organic farming), corn farmers could maintain soil fertility, and in fact improve it, if they composted only a quarter as much of the residue ARS says should be left, and took the rest away for ethanol production. Once, that is, ethanol from cellulose becomes a reality instead of just a dream. To make it truly sustainable though the missing livestock have to be returned to the picture rather than the entirely dumb and destructive current system of pumping up the corn with chemicals while massive manure lagoons fester on the other side of the state. It must be integrated. I completely agree with you, true natural farming will never be outdated. All best Keith sd Pannir, Brasil 2007/4/25, Keith Addison mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED]: From: ARS News Service mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Producing Ethanol--and Conserving the Soil Date: Wed, 25 Apr 2007 08:01:25 -0400 STORY LEAD: In Producing Ethanol, Some Cornstalks Should be Left in the Field ___ ARS News Service Agricultural Research Service, USDA Don Comis, (301) 504-1625, mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED][EMAIL PROTECTED] April 25, 2007 --View this report online, plus photos and related stories, at http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/prwww.ars.usda.gov/is/pr ___ If conservation of soil organic matter is taken into account, the United States at best has to cut in half the amount of cornstalks that can be harvested to produce ethanol, according to an Agricultural Research Service (ARS) study. Jane Johnson, a soil scientist with the ARS North Central Soil Conservation Research Laboratory in Morris, Minn., found that twice as many cornstalks have to be left in the field to maintain soil organic matter levels, compared to the amount of stalks needed only to prevent erosion. This doesn#39;t mean harvesting cornstalks for cellulosic ethanol isn#39;t feasible--just that when you add soil organic matter concerns to erosion concerns, it slashes the amount of cornstalks available for conversion to ethanol. For example, 213-bushel-per-acre corn yields leave farmers an average four tons per acre of cornstalks after harvest. Farmers could then harvest about two tons of cornstalks per acre for conversion to ethanol--but only from land with low erosion risks, using little or no tillage. If the same farmers rotate with soybeans as recommended, they can only remove half again as much biomass for ethanol production, or just one ton per acre, to compensate for the lower biomass left by soybeans. Johnson#39;s estimates are part of the Renewable Energy Assessment Project (REAP), formally created in 2006, although she and a core group of colleagues have worked on these measurements for several years prior. REAP was formed to ensure that cellulosic ethanol programs will be sustainable. Most participants work with corn, but others work on switchgrass for cellulosic ethanol. When cellulosic ethanol is made from corn, it uses cornstalks as well as grain. There are nine ARS locations participating in REAP in eight states, from Alabama to Indiana to Oregon. The new program also aims to compare the economic value of biomass for bioenergy versus its value for storing soil carbon. REAP will
Re: [Biofuel] Fwd: Producing Ethanol--and Conserving the Soil
Hey Pagandai; Do you know about the International Permaculture Conference (IPC8) which is happening in Sao Paulo on May 4th? Bill Mollison the inventer of permaculture will give a course on design and many other leading speakers of the world will present. I wish I could attend. http://www.ipc8.org/index.php?option=com_frontpageItemid=1 Cheers Joe Pagandai Pannirselvam wrote: Hi , Keith Thank you bringing here the very important report Residual biomass = Food+Fiber+Feed+Fertilizer+Fuel Brazilian sugarcane distillery is also exploring very well the use of a byproduct effluent of ethanol fermentation as an organic additive to soils. This is also an example of the innovations very well to support residue removal , integrated very well with the feed , not yet for fiber, where as the solid residues India are used for paper production.More recycling of the solid residues incorporated with the effluent in Brazilian sugar cane field is more sustainable compared to India, where 10 times more chemical fertilizers , and also very significant amount of the toxic chemicals , well promoted by the very big blue companies, are used and thus less sustainable, thus raw very less green technology.The inoculated microbes as bio fertilizer also the other approach well applied in Brazil, thus making very sucess for the sustainable Brazilian biofuel project. Thus , the natural farming is no more out dated , yet the best way .This method need more recycle of solid residues for the soil , thus the system can be more productive and also more sustainable.Thus the recycle can be more easy as fertilizer rather than the fuel production . sd Pannir, Brasil 2007/4/25, Keith Addison [EMAIL PROTECTED] mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]: From: ARS News Service [EMAIL PROTECTED] mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Producing Ethanol--and Conserving the Soil Date: Wed, 25 Apr 2007 08:01:25 -0400 STORY LEAD: In Producing Ethanol, Some Cornstalks Should be Left in the Field ___ ARS News Service Agricultural Research Service, USDA Don Comis, (301) 504-1625, [EMAIL PROTECTED] mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] April 25, 2007 --View this report online, plus photos and related stories, at www.ars.usda.gov/is/pr http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/pr ___ If conservation of soil organic matter is taken into account, the United States at best has to cut in half the amount of cornstalks that can be harvested to produce ethanol, according to an Agricultural Research Service (ARS) study. Jane Johnson, a soil scientist with the ARS North Central Soil Conservation Research Laboratory in Morris, Minn., found that twice as many cornstalks have to be left in the field to maintain soil organic matter levels, compared to the amount of stalks needed only to prevent erosion. This doesn't mean harvesting cornstalks for cellulosic ethanol isn't feasible--just that when you add soil organic matter concerns to erosion concerns, it slashes the amount of cornstalks available for conversion to ethanol. For example, 213-bushel-per-acre corn yields leave farmers an average four tons per acre of cornstalks after harvest. Farmers could then harvest about two tons of cornstalks per acre for conversion to ethanol--but only from land with low erosion risks, using little or no tillage. If the same farmers rotate with soybeans as recommended, they can only remove half again as much biomass for ethanol production, or just one ton per acre, to compensate for the lower biomass left by soybeans. Johnson's estimates are part of the Renewable Energy Assessment Project (REAP), formally created in 2006, although she and a core group of colleagues have worked on these measurements for several years prior. REAP was formed to ensure that cellulosic ethanol programs will be sustainable. Most participants work with corn, but others work on switchgrass for cellulosic ethanol. When cellulosic ethanol is made from corn, it uses cornstalks as well as grain. There are nine ARS locations participating in REAP in eight states, from Alabama to Indiana to Oregon. The new program also aims to compare the economic value of biomass for bioenergy versus its value for storing soil carbon. REAP will provide guidelines on harvesting biomass to corn farmers, land managers, the biomass industry and action agencies. Johnson also explored the use of a byproduct of ethanol fermentation as an organic additive to soils. This is an example of the innovations needed to support residue removal. ARS is the U.S. Department of Agriculture's chief in-house scientific research agency. ___
Re: [Biofuel] Fwd: Producing Ethanol--and Conserving the Soil
Hi, FYI, Pongamia seed residue after oil extraction is also used as manure in India. I find usage of the same in home garden also quite effective. Best regards, Am. Sivaramakrishnan - Original Message From: Pagandai Pannirselvam [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: biofuel@sustainablelists.org Sent: Thursday, April 26, 2007 4:24:06 PM Subject: Re: [Biofuel] Fwd: Producing Ethanol--and Conserving the Soil Hi , Keith Thank you bringing here the very important report Residual biomass = Food+Fiber+Feed+Fertilizer+Fuel Brazilian sugarcane distillery is also exploring very well the use of a byproduct effluent of ethanol fermentation as an organic additive to soils. This is also an example of the innovations very well to support residue removal , integrated very well with the feed , not yet for fiber, where as the solid residues India are used for paper production.More recycling of the solid residues incorporated with the effluent in Brazilian sugar cane field is more sustainable compared to India, where 10 times more chemical fertilizers , and also very significant amount of the toxic chemicals , well promoted by the very big blue companies, are used and thus less sustainable, thus raw very less green technology.The inoculated microbes as bio fertilizer also the other approach well applied in Brazil, thus making very sucess for the sustainable Brazilian biofuel project. Thus , the natural farming is no more out dated , yet the best way .This method need more recycle of solid residues for the soil , thus the system can be more productive and also more sustainable.Thus the recycle can be more easy as fertilizer rather than the fuel production . sd Pannir, Brasil 2007/4/25, Keith Addison [EMAIL PROTECTED]: From: ARS News Service [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Producing Ethanol--and Conserving the Soil Date: Wed, 25 Apr 2007 08:01:25 -0400 STORY LEAD: In Producing Ethanol, Some Cornstalks Should be Left in the Field ___ ARS News Service Agricultural Research Service, USDA Don Comis, (301) 504-1625, [EMAIL PROTECTED] April 25, 2007 --View this report online, plus photos and related stories, at www.ars.usda.gov/is/pr ___ If conservation of soil organic matter is taken into account, the United States at best has to cut in half the amount of cornstalks that can be harvested to produce ethanol, according to an Agricultural Research Service (ARS) study. Jane Johnson, a soil scientist with the ARS North Central Soil Conservation Research Laboratory in Morris, Minn., found that twice as many cornstalks have to be left in the field to maintain soil organic matter levels, compared to the amount of stalks needed only to prevent erosion. This doesn't mean harvesting cornstalks for cellulosic ethanol isn't feasible--just that when you add soil organic matter concerns to erosion concerns, it slashes the amount of cornstalks available for conversion to ethanol. For example, 213-bushel-per-acre corn yields leave farmers an average four tons per acre of cornstalks after harvest. Farmers could then harvest about two tons of cornstalks per acre for conversion to ethanol--but only from land with low erosion risks, using little or no tillage. If the same farmers rotate with soybeans as recommended, they can only remove half again as much biomass for ethanol production, or just one ton per acre, to compensate for the lower biomass left by soybeans. Johnson's estimates are part of the Renewable Energy Assessment Project (REAP), formally created in 2006, although she and a core group of colleagues have worked on these measurements for several years prior. REAP was formed to ensure that cellulosic ethanol programs will be sustainable. Most participants work with corn, but others work on switchgrass for cellulosic ethanol. When cellulosic ethanol is made from corn, it uses cornstalks as well as grain. There are nine ARS locations participating in REAP in eight states, from Alabama to Indiana to Oregon. The new program also aims to compare the economic value of biomass for bioenergy versus its value for storing soil carbon. REAP will provide guidelines on harvesting biomass to corn farmers, land managers, the biomass industry and action agencies. Johnson also explored the use of a byproduct of ethanol fermentation as an organic additive to soils. This is an example of the innovations needed to support residue removal. ARS is the U.S. Department of Agriculture's chief in-house scientific research agency. ___ This is one of the news reports that ARS Information distributes to subscribers on weekdays. Send feedback and questions to the ARS News Service at [EMAIL PROTECTED] * You are subscribed to ARS News as [EMAIL PROTECTED] * To change the address, please notify the ARS News Service at [EMAIL PROTECTED] . * To unsubscribe, send a blank email
Re: [Biofuel] Fwd: Producing Ethanol--and Conserving the Soil
Hi, Bill Mollison would not rate himself as the 'inventor' of permaculture. He has merely made us all aware that nature is worth nurturing, natural systems will reach a type of balance. Bill Mollison may be the inventor of the term 'Permaculture' but the inventors are the myriad generations of Peasant farmers on which his system is based. I think you will find he is a very humble man. He has done many great things, re-introducing sustainable agriculture to many people. Please see him, meet him learn! regards Doug On Friday 27 April 2007 12:18:02 am Joe Street wrote: Hey Pagandai; Do you know about the International Permaculture Conference (IPC8) which is happening in Sao Paulo on May 4th? Bill Mollison the inventer of permaculture will give a course on design and many other leading speakers of the world will present. I wish I could attend. http://www.ipc8.org/index.php?option=com_frontpageItemid=1 Cheers Joe Pagandai Pannirselvam wrote: Hi , Keith Thank you bringing here the very important report Residual biomass = Food+Fiber+Feed+Fertilizer+Fuel Brazilian sugarcane distillery is also exploring very well the use of a byproduct effluent of ethanol fermentation as an organic additive to soils. This is also an example of the innovations very well to support residue removal , integrated very well with the feed , not yet for fiber, where as the solid residues India are used for paper production.More recycling of the solid residues incorporated with the effluent in Brazilian sugar cane field is more sustainable compared to India, where 10 times more chemical fertilizers , and also very significant amount of the toxic chemicals , well promoted by the very big blue companies, are used and thus less sustainable, thus raw very less green technology.The inoculated microbes as bio fertilizer also the other approach well applied in Brazil, thus making very sucess for the sustainable Brazilian biofuel project. Thus , the natural farming is no more out dated , yet the best way .This method need more recycle of solid residues for the soil , thus the system can be more productive and also more sustainable.Thus the recycle can be more easy as fertilizer rather than the fuel production . sd Pannir, Brasil 2007/4/25, Keith Addison [EMAIL PROTECTED] mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]: From: ARS News Service [EMAIL PROTECTED] mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Producing Ethanol--and Conserving the Soil Date: Wed, 25 Apr 2007 08:01:25 -0400 STORY LEAD: In Producing Ethanol, Some Cornstalks Should be Left in the Field ___ ARS News Service Agricultural Research Service, USDA Don Comis, (301) 504-1625, [EMAIL PROTECTED] mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] April 25, 2007 --View this report online, plus photos and related stories, at www.ars.usda.gov/is/pr http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/pr ___ If conservation of soil organic matter is taken into account, the United States at best has to cut in half the amount of cornstalks that can be harvested to produce ethanol, according to an Agricultural Research Service (ARS) study. Jane Johnson, a soil scientist with the ARS North Central Soil Conservation Research Laboratory in Morris, Minn., found that twice as many cornstalks have to be left in the field to maintain soil organic matter levels, compared to the amount of stalks needed only to prevent erosion. This doesn't mean harvesting cornstalks for cellulosic ethanol isn't feasible--just that when you add soil organic matter concerns to erosion concerns, it slashes the amount of cornstalks available for conversion to ethanol. For example, 213-bushel-per-acre corn yields leave farmers an average four tons per acre of cornstalks after harvest. Farmers could then harvest about two tons of cornstalks per acre for conversion to ethanol--but only from land with low erosion risks, using little or no tillage. If the same farmers rotate with soybeans as recommended, they can only remove half again as much biomass for ethanol production, or just one ton per acre, to compensate for the lower biomass left by soybeans. Johnson's estimates are part of the Renewable Energy Assessment Project (REAP), formally created in 2006, although she and a core group of colleagues have worked on these measurements for several years prior. REAP was formed to ensure that cellulosic ethanol programs will be sustainable. Most participants work with corn, but others work on switchgrass for cellulosic ethanol. When cellulosic ethanol is made from corn, it uses cornstalks as well
Re: [Biofuel] Fwd: Producing Ethanol--and Conserving the Soil
Good point Doug. Actually the kudos go to Mother nature I guess. Isn't permaculture just an immitation of what nature figured out for itself? Joe doug wrote: Hi, Bill Mollison would not rate himself as the 'inventor' of permaculture. He has merely made us all aware that nature is worth nurturing, natural systems will reach a type of balance. Bill Mollison may be the inventor of the term 'Permaculture' but the inventors are the myriad generations of Peasant farmers on which his system is based. I think you will find he is a very humble man. He has done many great things, re-introducing sustainable agriculture to many people. Please see him, meet him learn! regards Doug On Friday 27 April 2007 12:18:02 am Joe Street wrote: Hey Pagandai; Do you know about the International Permaculture Conference (IPC8) which is happening in Sao Paulo on May 4th? Bill Mollison the inventer of permaculture will give a course on design and many other leading speakers of the world will present. I wish I could attend. http://www.ipc8.org/index.php?option=com_frontpageItemid=1 Cheers Joe Pagandai Pannirselvam wrote: Hi , Keith Thank you bringing here the very important report Residual biomass = Food+Fiber+Feed+Fertilizer+Fuel Brazilian sugarcane distillery is also exploring very well the use of a byproduct effluent of ethanol fermentation as an organic additive to soils. This is also an example of the innovations very well to support residue removal , integrated very well with the feed , not yet for fiber, where as the solid residues India are used for paper production.More recycling of the solid residues incorporated with the effluent in Brazilian sugar cane field is more sustainable compared to India, where 10 times more chemical fertilizers , and also very significant amount of the toxic chemicals , well promoted by the very big blue companies, are used and thus less sustainable, thus raw very less green technology.The inoculated microbes as bio fertilizer also the other approach well applied in Brazil, thus making very sucess for the sustainable Brazilian biofuel project. Thus , the natural farming is no more out dated , yet the best way .This method need more recycle of solid residues for the soil , thus the system can be more productive and also more sustainable.Thus the recycle can be more easy as fertilizer rather than the fuel production . sd Pannir, Brasil 2007/4/25, Keith Addison [EMAIL PROTECTED] mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]: From: ARS News Service [EMAIL PROTECTED] mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Producing Ethanol--and Conserving the Soil Date: Wed, 25 Apr 2007 08:01:25 -0400 STORY LEAD: In Producing Ethanol, Some Cornstalks Should be Left in the Field ___ ARS News Service Agricultural Research Service, USDA Don Comis, (301) 504-1625, [EMAIL PROTECTED] mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] April 25, 2007 --View this report online, plus photos and related stories, at www.ars.usda.gov/is/pr http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/pr ___ If conservation of soil organic matter is taken into account, the United States at best has to cut in half the amount of cornstalks that can be harvested to produce ethanol, according to an Agricultural Research Service (ARS) study. Jane Johnson, a soil scientist with the ARS North Central Soil Conservation Research Laboratory in Morris, Minn., found that twice as many cornstalks have to be left in the field to maintain soil organic matter levels, compared to the amount of stalks needed only to prevent erosion. This doesn't mean harvesting cornstalks for cellulosic ethanol isn't feasible--just that when you add soil organic matter concerns to erosion concerns, it slashes the amount of cornstalks available for conversion to ethanol. For example, 213-bushel-per-acre corn yields leave farmers an average four tons per acre of cornstalks after harvest. Farmers could then harvest about two tons of cornstalks per acre for conversion to ethanol--but only from land with low erosion risks, using little or no tillage. If the same farmers rotate with soybeans as recommended, they can only remove half again as much biomass for ethanol production, or just one ton per acre, to compensate for the lower biomass left by soybeans. Johnson's estimates are part of the Renewable Energy Assessment Project (REAP), formally created in 2006, although she and a core group of colleagues have worked on these measurements for several years prior. REAP was formed to ensure that cellulosic ethanol programs will be sustainable. Most participants work with corn, but others work on switchgrass for cellulosic ethanol. When cellulosic ethanol is made from corn, it uses cornstalks as well as grain. There are nine ARS locations participating in
[Biofuel] Fwd: Producing Ethanol--and Conserving the Soil
From: ARS News Service [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Producing Ethanol--and Conserving the Soil Date: Wed, 25 Apr 2007 08:01:25 -0400 STORY LEAD: In Producing Ethanol, Some Cornstalks Should be Left in the Field ___ ARS News Service Agricultural Research Service, USDA Don Comis, (301) 504-1625, [EMAIL PROTECTED] April 25, 2007 --View this report online, plus photos and related stories, at www.ars.usda.gov/is/pr ___ If conservation of soil organic matter is taken into account, the United States at best has to cut in half the amount of cornstalks that can be harvested to produce ethanol, according to an Agricultural Research Service (ARS) study. Jane Johnson, a soil scientist with the ARS North Central Soil Conservation Research Laboratory in Morris, Minn., found that twice as many cornstalks have to be left in the field to maintain soil organic matter levels, compared to the amount of stalks needed only to prevent erosion. This doesn't mean harvesting cornstalks for cellulosic ethanol isn't feasible--just that when you add soil organic matter concerns to erosion concerns, it slashes the amount of cornstalks available for conversion to ethanol. For example, 213-bushel-per-acre corn yields leave farmers an average four tons per acre of cornstalks after harvest. Farmers could then harvest about two tons of cornstalks per acre for conversion to ethanol--but only from land with low erosion risks, using little or no tillage. If the same farmers rotate with soybeans as recommended, they can only remove half again as much biomass for ethanol production, or just one ton per acre, to compensate for the lower biomass left by soybeans. Johnson's estimates are part of the Renewable Energy Assessment Project (REAP), formally created in 2006, although she and a core group of colleagues have worked on these measurements for several years prior. REAP was formed to ensure that cellulosic ethanol programs will be sustainable. Most participants work with corn, but others work on switchgrass for cellulosic ethanol. When cellulosic ethanol is made from corn, it uses cornstalks as well as grain. There are nine ARS locations participating in REAP in eight states, from Alabama to Indiana to Oregon. The new program also aims to compare the economic value of biomass for bioenergy versus its value for storing soil carbon. REAP will provide guidelines on harvesting biomass to corn farmers, land managers, the biomass industry and action agencies. Johnson also explored the use of a byproduct of ethanol fermentation as an organic additive to soils. This is an example of the innovations needed to support residue removal. ARS is the U.S. Department of Agriculture's chief in-house scientific research agency. ___ This is one of the news reports that ARS Information distributes to subscribers on weekdays. Send feedback and questions to the ARS News Service at [EMAIL PROTECTED] * You are subscribed to ARS News as [EMAIL PROTECTED] * To change the address, please notify the ARS News Service at [EMAIL PROTECTED] * To unsubscribe, send a blank email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] * Other ARS news products are available by e-mail. For details about them or to subscribe, please contact the ARS News Service or visit http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/pr/lists.htm. __ ARS News Service, Information Staff, Agricultural Research Service 5601 Sunnyside Ave., Room 1-2251, Beltsville MD 20705-5128 [EMAIL PROTECTED] | www.ars.usda.gov/news Phone (301) 504-1638 | fax (301) 504-1486 ___ Biofuel mailing list Biofuel@sustainablelists.org http://sustainablelists.org/mailman/listinfo/biofuel_sustainablelists.org Biofuel at Journey to Forever: http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.html Search the combined Biofuel and Biofuels-biz list archives (50,000 messages): http://www.mail-archive.com/biofuel@sustainablelists.org/
