Production Cost Budgets for Perennial Grass Systems CenUSA Production Cost Budgets for Perennial Grass Systems Agro-ecosystem Approach to Sustainable Biofuels Production via the Pyrolysis-Biochar Platform (USDA-NIFA AFRI CAP)

Renewable Fuels Standard 2

The Grand Vision

Potential Energy Crops Switchgrass Miscanthus Energy Cane Sweet Sorghum Poplar 4

‘Liberty’ Switchgrass Developed by CenUSA researchers with USDA-ARS in Lincoln, Nebraska Introduced in 2013, with a number of field trials across 10 states Is a high-yielding switchgrass specifically created from bioenergy use Target of 6-7 tons of biomass per acre Lifespan of 10+ years 5

Miscanthus Family of perennial grasses native to Africa and southern Asia Giant Miscanthus is a sterile hybrid that has become a popular choice for bioenergy development Target of 10-15 tons of biomass per acre Lifespan of 15-30 years 6

Pre-Establishment Cost estimates based on conversion from pasture/hay/unimproved grass land Basic land preparation is the same for either grass Field preparation includes brush mowing, disking, and soil finishing Rough cost are $70 per acre 7

Pre-Establishment For both types of grasses, best management practices point to planting the grasses after a crop of soybeans Followed by a cover crop and/or herbicide application Biggest concern going into establishment year is weed pressure Rough cost are $300 per acre, and you have a crop to sell (soybeans) 8

Establishment Year for Liberty Price per Unit Units Used Cost Pre-harvest Machinery Operations $31.15 Lime and Soil Testing $1.60 Seed $15.00/pound 5 $75.00 Herbicide $13.12 Interest $4.03 Harvest Machinery Operations $77.80 Total Cost $202.70 Notes: No fertilizer in establishment year, can harvest half of expected crop (3 tons per acre) in establishment year 9

Establishment Year for Miscanthus Price per Unit Units Used Cost Pre-harvest Machinery Operations $149.10 Lime and Soil Testing $88.60 Rhizomes $0.09/rhizome 7,000 $630.00 Nitrogen $0.44/pound 186 $81.84 Phosphorus $0.43/pound 62 $26.66 Potassium $0.41/pound 50 $20.50 Herbicide $23.92 Interest $34.02 Total Cost $1,054.64 Notes: No harvest in establishment year 10

Year 2 Costs for Liberty Price per Unit Units Used Cost Pre-harvest Machinery Operations $28.60 Seed $15.00/pound 0.5 $7.50 Nitrogen $0.44/pound 60 $26.40 Phosphorus $0.43/pound $0.00 Potassium $0.41/pound Herbicide $6.40 Interest $2.30 Harvesting Costs $141.40 Total Cost $212.60 Notes: Full harvest of 6 tons per acre, 10% reseeding 11

Year 2 Costs for Miscanthus Price per Unit Units Used Cost Pre-harvest Machinery Operations $12.55 Nitrogen $0.44/pound 35 $15.40 Phosphorus $0.43/pound 7.5 $3.23 Potassium $0.41/pound $14.35 Herbicide $17.52 Interest $2.10 Harvesting Costs $134.83 Total Cost $199.98 Notes: Can harvest half of expected crop (5 tons per acre). 12

Year 3+ Costs for Liberty Price per Unit Units Used Cost Pre-harvest Machinery Operations $12,55 Nitrogen $0.44/pound 60 $26.40 Phosphorus $0.43/pound $0.00 Potassium $0.41/pound Herbicide $6.40 Interest $1.51 Harvesting Costs $141.40 Total Cost $188.26 Notes: Full harvest of 6 tons per acre 13

Year 3+ Costs for Miscanthus Price per Unit Units Used Cost Pre-harvest Machinery Operations $5.00 Nitrogen $0.44/pound 70 $30.80 Phosphorus $0.43/pound 15 $6.45 Potassium $0.41/pound $28.70 Herbicide $0.00 Interest $2.37 Harvesting Costs $243.17 Total Cost $316.49 Notes: Full harvest of 10 tons per acre 14

Liberty – Long term Over a 10 year timeframe, the Liberty stand: Would produce 57 tons of biomass per acre For a total cost of $1,921.38 Not including land cost Breakeven price before land: $33.71 per ton Given average land charge for improved pasture ($77 per acre), breakeven price with land: $47.22 per ton 15

Miscanthus – Long term Over a 15 year timeframe, the Miscanthus stand: Would produce 135 tons of biomass per acre For a total cost of $5,368.99 Not including land cost Breakeven price before land: $39.77 per ton Given average land charge for improved pasture ($77 per acre), breakeven price with land: $48.33 per ton 16

Thank you for your time and attention. Any questions Thank you for your time and attention. Any questions? For more information, see www.cenusa.iastate.edu This project is supported by Agriculture and Food Research Initiative Competitive Grant No. 2011-68005-30411 from the National Institute of Food and Agriculture. . . . and justice for all The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital or family status. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Many materials can be made available in alternative formats for ADA clients. To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 14th and Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call 202-720-5964.