BIO Report Supports Biomass for Renewable Energy
A Biotechnology Industry Organization report says that farmers can feasibly supply both food and fuel.
Compiled by staff
Published: Dec 7, 2006
In a new report, the Biotechnology Industry Organization says that with the potential of cellulosic biomass as an energy resource, U.S. farmers can feasibly produce food, feed and fuel.
The BIO report, "Achieving Sustainable Production of Agricultural Biomass for Biorefinery Feedstock," touts the possibilities of cellulosic biomass as raw material for biofuels and no-till farming as a way to enhance residue collection.
The report suggests economically and environmentally sustainable ways for farmers to produce biomass for the biofuels industry.
Corn stover and cereal straws are expected to be feedstocks for biorefineries, with other materials coming into play as technology progresses. According to the report, corn stover is the most readily available cellulosic biomass from agricultural lands, with about 75 million dry tons per year available. Corn stover and cereal straw make up over 80% of residues available currently, the report says. However, the report points out that "equipment for collection of corn stover must be developed, since few commercial uses for stover currently exist."
For a complete copy of the report, visit www.bio.org/ind.
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Tagged: biofuels, farming, no-till, agricultural biomass
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