Expanding the US Cornbelt Biomass Portfolio: Forester Perceptions of the Potential for Woody Biomass

Abstract

With the strong emergence of the bioeconomy in the US, there is growing interest in the ability of biomass production systems to meet the legislated demand for cellulosic biofuels. While corn grain will continue to comprise the primary feedstock for biofuel in the Cornbelt, it is unlikely that a single biomass feedstock will suit all the needs of an evolving bioenergy market; thus, the potential contribution of woody biomass should be considered. To meet informational needs, we conducted structured interviews with state-employed professional foresters along the Mississippi River corridor in five Corn Belt states (Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, and Wisconsin). Foresters were queried regarding the types of woody materials available, ecological considerations, the likely silvicultural systems that might support a biomass market, and their experiences with landowner management decisions as related to removing currently low-value material. Results suggest noteworthy interest in expanded woody biomass market systems within our study area. Furthermore, substantial opportunities exist to capture trimmings, smalldiameter, and low-quality material in conjunction with on-going intermediate stand treatments or sawtimber harvests that are common in the region; capturing social and economic value while potentially contributing to long-term forest health. Costs for removing this material are estimated to range between $185-494/ha ($75-200/ ac) depending on site conditions and accessibility. Such a wide range in costs (and therefore break-even biomass prices) suggests that some properties throughout the study region may be priced out of the market, at least in the initial stages of market development. Markets are distinctly lacking at present, however, and our interviewees suggested that market-pull will be required to organize a well-rounded infrastructure to harvest, process, store, and transport woody materials. This and future studies will be significant because they inform the enhancement of agricultural prosperity on small-to-medium farms and contribute to regional and national energy goals in ways that ideally improve, rather than diminish, the ecosystem services provided by woodlands in rowcrop-dominated landscapes.

Mature Hybrid Poplar Riparian Buffers along Farm Streams Produce High Yields in Response to Soil Fertility Assessed Using Three Methods

“…As observed in the US cornbelt region, markets for biomass are presently lacking and market-pull will be required to organize harvesting, processing, storage and transport of woody biomass [74]. Foresters interviewed in the same region noted that one of the biggest constraints to woody biomass production on privately owned agricultural land would be the size of individual plots, but also the weak return on investments [74]. The same constraints may be associated with the production of woody biomass and timber in farmland riparian zones of southern Québec.…”

Understanding the Characteristics of Non-industrial Private Forest Landowners Who Harvest Trees

“…As the market for bioenergy and biofuels emerge worldwide, an improved understanding of the stakeholders in the biomass supply chain becomes important. While forest-based woody biomass is considered to have a tremendous potential in meeting legislated demand for biofuel (Tyndall et al 2011), forests in most public lands are typically managed for conservation or non-consumptive purposes. On the other hand, some US federal biomass policies designed to promote cellulosic biofuel (e.g.…”

“…Tyndall et al (2011) argued that landowners' willingness to manage forestland for biomass will dictate the supply of woody biomass. Moss and Hedderick (2012) conducted a financial analysis of harvesting and found that harvesting small and low-quality trees, which are similar to woody biomass harvest, is financially unattractive to landowners.…”

Quantifying the Effects of Biomass Market Conditions and Policy Incentives on Economically Feasible Sites to Establish Dedicated Energy Crops

“…Although these crops have the potential to provide a sustainable supply of feedstock for the bioenergy industry, they have not been established on a commercial scale able to significantly satisfy increasing energy demands [5][6][7]. Large-scale energy generation from dedicated energy crops is currently restricted by several factors including marginal returns, landowners' willingness to grow crops, and competing cost-effective fossil fuels such as natural gas and coal [8][9][10].…”

“…This is particularly important for landowners, who are likely only willing to grow these crops if they anticipate returns at least similar to those from current land uses. Additionally, long-term policy incentives have the potential to increase stability in market conditions and reduce risks associated with establishing energy crops [9,13]. Several studies have examined the impact of alternative policy incentives and market conditions on bioenergy production.…”