Abstract
Concentration of biofuel feedstock crop production in specific regions of the USA is dependent on the relative comparative advantage of production in a specific region based on several agronomic and economic factors. For the southeastern region of the USA, energy cane and sweet sorghum have been identified as two feedstock crops with the greatest potential for further development of production. This study utilized field trial data from yield studies in Louisiana to develop estimates of feedstock crop production costs and biofuel feedstock input costs for these two crops. Results indicated that feedstock production costs on a harvest yield basis, as well as the related dry matter basis, were heavily dependent on yield level. Economic research from this study indicated that energy cane had a slight cost advantage compared with sweet sorghum, although production of sorghum in certain periods during the growing season was very cost competitive with energy cane.
Highlights
As the production of bioenergy feedstock crops in the USA increases in response to the further development and expansion of the biofuel and bioenergy sectors, competition for agricultural land for the production of feedstock crops versus traditional agricultural crops will increase
Competition for agricultural land will be expected to be more prevalent in some regions of the country than others, due to suitability of soil and climate to potential feedstock crops as well as other factors, and the magnitude of this increased demand for crop land would be expected to be heavily influenced by alternative federal programs and policies which might develop relating to proposed national renewable portfolio standards, policies regulating carbon dioxide emissions, and other related energy/environmental issues [1]
Murphy et al (2011) discussed the expected implications for land competition from a global perspective [2]. They concluded that the global demand for biofuels, perhaps reaching as high as 20–30% of total energy demand, will continue to increase the competition for land use between traditional crops and newer biofuel feedstock crops. They conclude that the production of biofuel feedstock crops which exhibit strong sustainability criteria will continue to be important, with both supportive and competitive aspects related to food security
Summary
As the production of bioenergy feedstock crops in the USA increases in response to the further development and expansion of the biofuel and bioenergy sectors, competition for agricultural land for the production of feedstock crops versus traditional agricultural crops will increase. This article presents research results from a study which investigated the expected production costs of producing energy cane and sweet sorghum as biofuel feedstock crops in the southeastern USA.
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