In its report titled "Achieving Sustainable Production of Agricultural Biomass for Biorefinery Feedstock," the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) today laid out suggestions for the 2007 Farm Bill that could lead to a sustainable commercial-scale biorefinery.

The report details feedstock requirements, farming practices and policy suggestions aimed at meeting the U.S. DOE's goal of 60 billion gallons of ethanol production and 30 percent displacement of petroleum by 2030. BIO represents more than 1,100 biotechnology organizations, academic institutions, state biotechnology centers and related organizations across the United States and 31 other nations.

A minimum of 500,000 acres of cropland would be needed to sustain a commercial-scale biorefinery, the report said. Several companies have announced commercial-scale biorefinery plans. On Monday, South Dakota-based Broin Companies announced plans to convert its 50 MMgy Emmetsburg, Iowa, ethanol plant to include corn stover-to-ethanol capability.

The report said corn stover holds the largest potential as a near-term biorefinery feedstock, given its high per-acre yields. It estimates that 75 million tons of corn stover is currently available. There is an additional 33 million tons of crop residue currently available. The biggest hurdle may be transporting the crop residue to a facility.

The report also suggests cropping practices, including no-till farming, that ensure soil health. National Corn Growers Association CEO Rick Tolman said there may be incentives in the 2007 Farm Bill encouraging no-, low- or medium-till farming practices. "It's important to understand there has been a shift to no-till farming in the last 10 years," said Rick Tolman, CEO of the National Corn Growers Association. "It's been done for economic reasons."

Farmers who supply agricultural feedstocks to these industries could also benefit from a carbon credit system by switching to no-till cropping methods, the report said. Coordinated government agriculture and energy policies are needed to encourage the growth of the biorefinery industry and facilitate the sustainable production of agricultural feedstock supplies.

The report lists several suggestions for the 2007 Farm Bill, including:

--funding for accelerated development and production of one-pass harvesting equipment

--development and distribution of simple-to-use soil carbon models to allow farmers to compute how much crop residue can be collected without degrading soil quality

--assistance to farmers to encourage the transition to no-till cropping for biomass production

--incentives for the development and expansion of short line and regional rail networks

--funding for demonstration projects to streamline collection, transport and storage of cellulosic crop residue feedstocks

--development of a system to monetize greenhouse gas credits generated by production of ethanol and other products from agricultural feedstocks

--funding for programs to help farmers identify and grow the most suitable crops for both food production and cellulosic biomass production.

Dave Nilles is Online Editor for Ethanol Producer Magazine. Reach him at dnilles@bbibiofuels.com or (701) 373-0636.

Posted: 1:39 p.m. CST Tuesday, November 21, 2006