Grainnet

Univ. of Illinois Testing Switchgrass and Miscanthus for Ethanol Potential (Grainnet Exclusive!)

By Myke Feinman, BioFuels Journal editor

The University of Illinois, Champaign/Urbana, is researching eight test plots of switchgrass and Miscanthus to see how well the crops grow in different climates across the state.

Eventually, the research, which began in 2002 and is funded by the state of Illinois, will determine how well the crops grow and how they are harvested.

The findings will determine how economical it will be for farmers to grow the crops for cellulosic ethanol production.

Frank Dohleman, biomass energy project coordinator for the U of I (217-244-6317), who coordinates the plots and works with 10 U of I researchers, said comparing switchgrass to Miscanthus in a side-by-side plots allows researchers to determine which crops would be best suited to grow in the state.

Started in 2002

In 2002, three plots were planted with both switchgrass and Miscanthus in Urbana, Dixon Springs and DeKalb.

The U of I received a grant of $70,000 from the Illinois Council for Food and Agricultural Research (ICFAR) for the initial plots.

In 2004, more plots were planted at Fairfield, Brownstown, Havana, Perry and one at the Dudley Smith Farm at Pana, with an additional grant of $1.2 million from the ICFAR which expires at the end of FY 2008, Dohleman said.

They plan to seek funding after the funding period expires.

Most plots are 30 ft. by 30 ft., but some are a half-acre.

Also, this year a demonstration plot was planted at the site of the 2007 Farm Progress Show in Decatur (August 28-30).

One of the major areas of research at each plot is measuring the two crops' yields, how the crops deplete the carbon/soil content.

Grows Well

"The big question is how well does this stuff grow in Illinois?" Dohleman said. The answer so far is-very well.

For ethanol production, Dohleman said Miscanthus has double the yield than switchgrass.

"An acre of Miscanthus yields 15 tons, which could translate to 1,500 gallons of ethanol," Dohleman said.

By comparison, switchgrass yields about 700 gallons per acre.

Corn, on the other hand, yields about 450 to 500 gallons per acre.

If a farmer were to harvest the stover as well, corn would yield about the same amount of ethanol (cellulosic and non-cellulosic) as switchgrass, Dohleman noted.

Miscanthus and switchgrass are perennials, however, it takes about three years before the crops are ready to be harvested.

After that, there is less cost involved in growing the crops since you don't need annual tillage, planting, or fertilizer application.

Also, there is not as much work to eradicate weeds because the crop grows fast in the spring and "shades out" the weeds, Dohleman said.

Miscanthus and switchgrass can be harvested any time from the fall to the following spring, Dohleman learned, and the farmer can let stand over the winter without harming the crop.

"Harvesting is similar to hay," Dohleman said.