Biofuels Journal - January/February 2009 - (Page 50)

When to Harvest Grasses? Research Underway to Determine Optimal Time Agronomists have determined that it is better to harvest perennials for energy crops such as miscanthus and switchgrass in the late fall to avoid loss of biomass. “If you wait too long until the crop has died back and turned brown, there could be a huge reduction in nitrogen content,” said Emily Heaton, assistant professor at Iowa State University (ISU), Ames, IA (515-294-1310), who led the research conducted at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. The best time to harvest is between October and December. “Waiting too late, however, could mean a loss of between $500 and $600 an acre in profit,” she said. “If you harvest too late, there is a potential loss of yield because of snow and ice,” she said. Miscanthus and switchgrass are grasses being considered as feedstocks for cellulosic ethanol production. However, that puts the harvest of these perennials right at nearly the same time as corn and soybeans. “There is a concern that some energy crops are no different than fall-harvested grain crops,” she said. Stays Upright, Loses Mass Profile Adam Dunlop Blue Flint Ethanol Underwood, ND Environmental Health/ Safety Manager 701-442-7500 Years with Company: 3 Years in the Industry: 3 Born: Jan. 26, 1974 Family: I meet that challenge by: Wife, Nancy. Daughters: Halle, Rachel, and Ava. The industry is changing and growing at a rapid pace and you have to be able to gather new information and incorporate it into your decision-making process. I read or scan volumes of information each day to pick up a new twist or existing idea that I can tweak to fit an application where we have a need. What I like about the ethanol industry: Education: Bachelor’s degree in chemistry and biology at Jamestown College, ND in 1997. Master’s degree in environmental management at the University of Maryland in 2004. Career: 1997-99: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Ser vice. 1999-2002: Field service manager, MVTL Testing Laboratory. 2002-06: Environmental scientist/ project manager, RETEC Group. 200609: Environmental health and safety manager, Blue Flint Ethanol. My personal key to success: I see value in what the ethanol industry is doing for our country. I strongly believe our industry decreases the dependence on foreign energy sources, which provides a more environmentally-friendly alternative to burning pure hydrocarbons and brings infrastructure and jobs to rural America. Key to the growth of the ethanol industry: She said miscanthus will stand well in the winter, but there is a risk of loss of mass in the winter, so the producer must weigh those potential profit losses against the issues associated with simultaneous harvesting with grain crops. “We are researching new varieties of switchgrass that stand better in winter,” she added. She said the next step will be to test different locations. Trials will continue in Illinois and begin in Iowa this year. Flexibility and persistence, as well as a core of values have guided me to where I am today. My biggest challenge: I believe a firm, lasting commitment from those who write our nation’s energy policy is necessary until the industry reaches maturity. Knowledge that our government is committed to a consistent energy policy is necessary to secure the financial resources required to continue to develop the next generation of biofuels plants. The biggest trend in the ethanol industry: From a compliance perspective, there are constant changes to environmental and other regulations to maintain a facility. All of this is set with a backdrop of a very challenging economic climate that biofuels are currently facing. Commodity prices are fluctuating at levels never seen before, making it exceedingly difficult for ethanol facilities that are operating on razor thin margins. Corn oil extraction from dried distillers grains or syrup streams. What I predict for the ethanol industry: Consolidation. Independent facilities that were not constructed with some unique operational niche will struggle. Hobbies: Family and outdoor activities. 50 BFJ | JAN/FEB 09

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Biofuels Journal - January/February 2009

Biofuels Journal - January/February 2009 Contents Safety Training Expanding Safety Pays Top 2008 OSHA Citations Ethanol Terminal Safety Preventing Falls Fighting Ethanol Fires Biodiesel Safety Bridgeport Ethanol John Kruse, Global Insight Barley Ethanol New DDGS Market—Fish Mary Beth Stanek, General Motors RINs As Commodity POET BioRefining Ethanol Pipeline—Florida DDGS Causing E. coli Community College Biofuels Ethanol Plants in the Pipeline State Report: Ohio Ethanol World Profile: Adam Dunlap, BlueFire Ethanol When to Harvest Switchgrass, Miscanthus Indirect Land Use Change Profile: Greg Olson, POET-Corning Growth Energy Monthly Ethanol Production Case Study: Fuelzyme Ethanol Industry News Greg Poe, Ethanol Pilot Sponsored by Fagen Inc. Blackhawk Biodiesel Biodiesel Roundup Biodiesel World Peanut Biodiesel Pennycress Biodiesel Radish Biodiesel Profile: Joe Korpi, Renewable Energy Group Biodiesel Convention NBB Eye on Biodiesel Awards Calendar of Events Cellulosic Ethanol Plants Under Construction Cellulosic Ethanol Plants Construction Map Breaking Cellulosic Ground Show Me’s Collecting Biomass Inland Empire Oilseeds POET’s Project Liberty Update Vermeer’s Cob Harvester Iowa State Cob Harvest Research Europe’s Energy Parks Imported Deere Cob Harvest Kit/Case IH Coskata Sugar/Mascoma Update Range Fuels Update Tom Warne, Schutte-Buffalo Hammermill University of Illinois Biofuels Master’s Roger Ladig, Laidig Systems, Inc. Miscanthus vs. Switchgrass Biofuels Automation Scott Martin, LeMar Industries Biodiesel Financing EISENMANN Corp. GATX / Beta Tec ProSonics / S.K. Patil DOE Grant Action Unloaders Ad Index

Biofuels Journal - January/February 2009

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