1. Bioenergy Crops: the Good, the Bad & the Ugly Alternative Agricultural Enterprises for the Treasure Coast October 19, 2011 Tim Gaver, Extension Agent – Citrus IFAS/St. Lucie Extension

2. Why Grow Bioenergy Crops? Biomass: A renewable biological energy source used to produce heat, ethanol or biodiesel South Florida would seem to be ideal for biomass production because of available acreage, long growing season and rainfall U.S. is dependent upon imported petroleum for over 60% of its transportation fuels

3. Demand for BioFuels U.S. Renewable Fuel Standard (May, 2009) Mandates use in US of 36 billion gallons of renewable transportation fuel by 2022 - 16 billion gallons cellulosic biofuels - 15 billion gallons corn-based ethanol - 1 billion gallons biodiesel - 4 billion gallons advanced biodiesel - Mandates by the U.S. Navy and Air Force to significantly reduce their dependence on petroleum jet fuel

4. Ethanol Production Corn or “sugar” ethanol - 200+ plants in US producing >14 billion gallons -Cost of production about $1.40 per gallon using Midwest corn -Cost estimated at $2.00 per gallon using Florida –grown corn -Sugarcane generates more $ from sugar than from ethanol -US will export 900 million gallons in 2011 -Food vs Fuel controversy Cellulosic ethanol -US production this year estimated at 6.6 million gallons -Only about 33% as efficient as corn ethanol

5. Cellulosic Ethanol Estimated 94 million tons of biomass annually could be produced in Florida Potential for 8 billion gallons of cellulosic ethanol BP/Verenium is building a new plant in Highlands County ($250 million+) Potential feedstocks : - Energy cane - Sweet sorghum - Giant reedgrass - Elephantgrass - Switchgrass - Miscanthus - Yard waste

6. “Energy” cane Sugarcane varieties that have high stalk contents of sugar and fiber Scientists working on varieties with increased cold tolerance Grown the same as conventional sugarcane 1200 gallons ethanol per acre?

7. Sweet Sorghum Silage types for ethanol 2 crops from one planting in early spring Must be grown as a rotational crop Needs less water & fertilizer than sugarcane Yields of 15+ dry tons 160 – 400 gallons ethanol per acre New variety research for higher yields and pest resistance continues

8. Giant Reedgrass Arundo donax Considered invasive in some states Grown from rhizome or stem pieces Can grow in wet soils 20+ tons per acre Requires 60 lbs N per year on mineral soils Harvest every 7-12 months (once /yr optimum) More research needed

9. Elephantgrass Pennisetum purpureum Many varieties Established with stem pieces 20 tons per acre Needs 150-300 lbs N per year “Do not plant” list in South Florida

10. Miscanthus & Switchgrass Miscanthus (Miscanthus x giganteus (Sterile hybrid) Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) Research showed both of these plants grow too slowly in Florida

11. Kenaf 6 month crop Grows 15+ feet high Dried and pelletized for burning in electrical power plants High cellulose content 6-10 tons/acre

12. Biodiesel and *Advanced Biofuel Crops Seeds or nuts are crushed to remove the oil Canola Camelina Sunflower Jatropha Soybean Peanut *Algae

13. Canola Brassica napus Normally grown in the upper Midwest USDA trials in Ft. Pierce showed problems with downy mildew & aphids

14. Camelina Camelina sativa Oilseed crop normally grown in the Midwest 85-100 day crop 38-40% oil Stops growth at 85° Up to 2000 lbs/acre 2000 x $0.12 = $240 Cost of production $400+ - Land Preparation - Seed - Fertilizer

15. Sunflower 70 day crop from seed Susceptible to excess rainfall, insects, nematodes, fungus disease and a plant virus Low inputs, accept fertilizer Research needed for varieties adapted to Florida

16. Jatropha Jatropha Curcas L. Normally grown in tropical areas High oil content (45%) Production increases with inputs Must be harvested 3X per year Not cold tolerant!

17. Land Preparation Necessary for successful production in South Florida Shallow beds provide drainage following heavy rainfall Drilling preferable to broadcast seeding Harvest efficiency increased in level fields

18. A Short Summary No sustainable bioenergy crop opportunities for small farmers at this time Biofuel crops need variety research and a local crushing facility As cellulosic ethanol technology improves, funding for new plants will become available Opportunities for production of biomass will increase as a result

19. Thanks! Questions? Thanks to: Dr. Dan Chellemi, USDA, ARS, Ft. Pierce Dr. John Alleyne, IFAS/Sarasota Extension Dr. David Wright, IFAS/NFREC