CBC Research on Biofuel Forage Feedstock

WTW Woodward - CBC

U.S. Department of Energy’s Biofuels Initiative

• To make cellulosic ethanol (or ethanol from non-grain biomass resources) cost competitive with gasoline by 2012.

• To replace 30 percent of current levels of gasoline consumption with biofuels by 2030.

Washington State’s Renewable Fuel Standard

• Designed to increase biofuel use– Starts at 2%– Ramps up to 5% for biodiesel– Ramps up to 10% ethanol

• Ramp ups are to be produced from crops grown in the state

BIOMASS • Any organic matter that is available on a

renewable or recurring basis. Biomass is generally produced in a sustainable manner from water and carbon dioxide by photosynthesis.

• Biomass for renewables includes:– Agricultural crop residues– Forest resources including mill residues, logging

residues and fuel treatment– Municipal solid waste (MSW)– Dedicated energy crops, annuals and perennials

EverGreen Renewable, LLC

Renewable Options

Sources ElectricitySteam/

HeatLiquidFuels Chemicals

OtherProducts

Solar √Wind √Geothermal √ √Hydro √Nuclear √ √Biomass √ √ √ √ √

EverGreen Renewable, LLC

Overview of Dedicated Energy Crops

Types Advantages Disadvantages

Annuals GrassesSorghumSugar caneOil seed cropsAlgae

•First year harvest•Higher yield per acre than crop residues

•Higher annual inputs•Fluctuating production cost

Perennials SwitchgrassOther grassesAlfalfaMiscanthusWoody cropsJatropha

•Lower long-term inputs•Recharges soils•Reduces soil erosion•Carbon sequestration•More predictable cost to produce

•High establishment cost•Multiple years till full yield achieved

EverGreen Renewable, LLC

Cellulosic Ethanol from Switchgrass and Miscanthus

• Department of Energy (DOE) reported a need for a billion tons of biomass to replace 30% of USA petroleum consumption.

• The DOE has identified switchgrass as a primary target because of its potential for high fuel yields.

• Miscanthus gigantius is an ornamental grass that can grow to 14 feet and yield 15 to 20 tons of dry matter per acre.

Switchgrass• DOE made it a target species• Through breeding, more yield gains can

be made in switchgrass than in corn • Yield gains for switchgrass could be

greater for the PNW. Research to date on the species has been from the central plains states.

• Energy ratios are more favorable than Corn

Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.)

Breeding Plans

o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o

2007• Established a transplanted

selection nursery (1000 plants)

• Determined type of switchgrassto breed

2008• Established larger selection

nursery of lowland types (2500plants)

• Harvested seed of 540 promisingparent plants

• Planted half-sib seed in greenhouse

Selection Nursery

Switchgrass progeny rowl l l l l l l l l l l l ll l l l l l l l l l l l ll l l l l l l l l l l l ll l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l ll l l l l l l l l l l l l

2009• 389 entries produced enough plants

to establish a 5 plant progeny row test

• Baled switchgrass plots for use by Bioproducts, Sciences, and Engineering Laboratory (BSEL)

2010• Plan to harvest PR in March for yield.

• Plan to collect notes on Stem size, growth habit, leaf orientation, etc.

• Determine parents for experimentals

Producing Experimentals

o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o

Polycross Block2011• Establish parents of selected half-sib

families from field propagules. (June)

• Harvest seed from polycross blocks if ready.

• Establish additional propagules in greenhouse for 2012 experimentals.

2012• Run yield tests against checks to

determine progress

• Establish new Polycross Blocks

Switchgrass at CBC

Miscanthus

• Perennial. Miscanthus is a low maintenance, perennial grass that grows 10 to 15 feet tall each year. The plant, a native of Japan, has a life expectancy of at least 15 to 20 years.

• Stems. The plant grows from an underground stem (or rhizome) which is resistant to winter harvest losses. The harvested stems are burnt as direct fuel source or used as ethanol feedstock.

Miscanthus or Switchgrass

Miscanthus Picture from University of Illinois

Miscanthus and Switchgrass pictureFrom the University of Illinois

Switchgrass

Miscanthus

Miscanthus at CBC

Comparison of Corn and Switchgrass for Energy

Component Corn SwitchgrassEthanol Production 2.6 gal/bushel 80 gal/tonEnergy ratio 1.21 4.43Net energy gain 21% 343%

McLaughlin and Kazos

Governor Tour

What The Governor Thought

Alfalfa Breeding for Biomass

Alfalfa

• High biomass Production in the CB• Perennial nature• Produces own nitrogen• Reduces soil erosion• Reduces nitrate contamination• Low use of pesticides• Protects water quality• High value leaf meal product• Crop rotation benefits

Alfalfa Breeding for Traditional Use

Focus Traits• Yield• Stem Nematode• Root Knot Nematode• Clover Root Curculio• Blue Aphid

• Farmers will remain hesitant, unwilling or unable to grow oilseed crops until:– Fundamental agronomic information is well

established and readily available. – Crops are shown to be economically viability.– Loans become available

Oil Seed Crop Economics

Crops For Biodiesel

• Biodiesel – Sunflower– Safflower– Soybean– Peanut

2006 Oil Seed Projects

• Sunflower Variety Trial• Soybean Variety & Maturity Trial

Sunflower Results

Varietyplant

height (in)

flower diameter

(cm)plant

density (in)Yield (lb./A)

SP270 35.0 18.1 14.2 1370.8

B4289 44.8 14.9 9.1 1549.9

Proseed 9441 70.8 18.2 10.6 1754.8

Proseed E85 54.3 25.1 15.4 1921.4

Proseed 84 50.1 22.7 13.7 2720.3

B4289 SS 47.9 21.2 14.3 1388.4

CV 5.6 7.0 17.7 16.6

LSD .05 4.17 2.1 3.38 439.92

SS = standard seeding

Seeded June 16, 2006

Soybean Maturity Zones

2006 Soybean Results

Originator/Brand Entry # Entry Maturity GroupHarvest

DateYield 13% Moisture

2006 Bu/A

Pioneer 1 90M20 0.2 10/11 59.3

Pioneer 2 90M60 0.6 10/23 68.0

Pioneer 3 90M91 0.9 10/23 71.1

Pioneer 4 91M13 1.1 10/23 65.6

Pioneer 5 91M70 1.7 10/23 68.7

Pioneer 6 92B38 2.3 11/1 70.3

Pioneer 7 92M61 2.6 11/1 62.9

Pioneer 8 92M91 2.9 11/1 63.0

Mean 66.12LSD 5% NS

CV % 9.0

Seeded on April 28 and Re-seeded on May 25, 2006

2007 Oil Seed Projects

• Safflower variety trial• Early maturing soybean variety trial • Late maturing soybean variety trial • Soybean row spacing study• Peanut variety trial

2007 Safflower Variety TestVariety Company Name %Oil Plant

Height (in)Yield

(lb/acre)

Hybrid Oleic 16 (22 lbs/acre)

Safflower Technologies Int., LLC

36.0 23.3 1923.2

CW88OL Cal/West Seeds Inc. 36.6 26.5 1875.3

Hybrid Oleic 16 (14 lbs/acre)

Safflower Technologies Int., LLC

35.3 22.5 1789.2

S-345 SeedTec 39.8 27.8 1524.6

5232 SeedTec 37.9 27.3 1512.6

CW4440 Cal/West Seeds Inc. 34.8 19.8 713.3

Nutra Saff Safflower Technologies 42.8 20.5 688.2

CW 1221 Cal/West Seeds Inc. 36.3 20.3 524.9

Mean 36.3 22.6 1189.1

LSD 5% 4.70 4.55 449.53

CV % 9.1 14.1 26.5

2007 Early Maturity Soybean Results

Variety Company Name

Maturity Group Lodging Yield

(bu/acre)

Integra 98150R Wilbur-Ellis 1.5 3.7 86.6

91M40 Pioneer 1.4 4.5 80.7

Integra 96090R Wilbur-Ellis 0.9 4.2 73.6

Integra 96081R Wilbur-Ellis 0.8 1.8 71.7

90M20 Pioneer 0.2 2.3 61.2

AG0301RR Asgro 0.3 1.8 61.1

90M01 Pioneer 0.0 1.3 60.7

AG00603RR Asgro 0.0 1.0 47.9Mean 2.8 67.9

LSD 5% 1.24 7.99CV % 30.8 8.2

2007 Late Maturity Soybean Results

Variety Company Name

Maturity Group Lodging Yield

(bu/acre)

Integra 96170R Wilbur-Ellis 1.7 2.7 76.4

92M02 Pioneer 2.0 3.0 74.3

AG2107RR Asgro 2.1 4.3 68.1

DKB24-52RR DeKalb 2.4 4.5 66.4

Integra 98300R Wilbur-Ellis 3.0 3.7 58.5

AG3005RR Asgro 3.0 3.8 58.3

91M70 Pioneer 1.7 4.7 56.5

93M96 Pioneer 3.9 3.2 53.9Mean 3.7 63.6

LSD 5% 0.90 10.52CV % 17 11.6

2007 Soybean Row Spacing Test

Row Spacing

(in)

Seeding Rate

(seeds per acre)

Yield (bu/acre)

Percent Moisture

Test Weight

Mature Plant

Height Lodging7.5 200,000 69.2 7.9 52.6 41.1 2.715 175,000 68.9 8.0 53.3 41.4 2.8

22.5 150,000 66.8 7.9 53.0 40.8 2.730 150,000 63.3 7.8 53.3 40.8 2.7

Average 67.0 7.9 53.0 41.0 2.7LSD.05 3.24 NS NS NS NS

Row Spacing

2007 Soybean Row Spacing Test

Varieties

Varieties MaturityYield

(bu/acre)Percent Moisture

Test Weight

Mature Plant

Height Lodging90M20 0.2 64.6 7.8 53.2 38.0 2.590M60 0.6 70.7 7.6 53.2 41.7 1.991M13 1.1 69.1 8.0 53.4 40.1 1.991M70 1.7 63.8 8.4 52.4 44.3 4.6

Average 67.0 7.9 53.0 41.0 2.7LSD.05 3.24 0.43 0.64 1.97 0.49

2007 Peanut Yields

Variety MeanTam Run OL02 3447.6 ATam Span 90 3403.8 AGregory 3076.7 A BFlavor Runner 458 2957.6 A B CValencia C 2720.2 A B C DPronto 2413.0 A B C DOlin 2358.8 A B C DGentex 102 1966.6 B C DGentex 101 1851.9 C DValencia A 1818.9 DLevels not connected by the same letter are significantly different

Peanut Prices

Oil Seed Crop Conclusions• Sunflower – 2700 lbs. x .16 = $432.00

– Bird damage up to 80%– Slow to dry

• Safflower – 1923 lbs. x .17 = $327.00• Soybean – 86.6 Bu. x 12.4 = $1074.00

– Requires no nitrogen– Leaves about 70 lbs. N in the ground.

• Peanuts – 3400 lbs. x .18 = $612.00– Requires no nitrogen

• Corn – 220 Bu. X 5.31 = $1168.00 • Wheat – 120 Bu. X 3.79 = $455.00

Early planting date and maturity group effect on soybean yield at

CBC (2008)

Variety Maturity Group

Planting Date23-May 30-May 6-Jun 13-Jun 20-Jun 27-Jun------------------------------------Yield, bu/acre---------------------------------------

Integra 109R001 0.0 75.2 69.8 61.5 54.5 46.8 37.5Integra 96081R 0.8 80.9 70.3 64.1 54.4 49.8 41.2Integra 98150R 1.5 84.9 81.3 67.9 64.2 54.4 42.3Integra 96170R 1.7 68.4 56.2 52.5 45.0 36.5 21.9

LSD 5% 5.3CV 16.6

Soybean varieties across early planting dates

Variety

Yield bu/A at

13% Moisture

Lowest Pod

Height

Mature Plant

Height Lodging

Maturity on Oct. 6, 2008

Test Weight

Percent Moisture

Integra 109R001 57.5 3.4 29.4 1.5 8.0 55.6 10.0Integra 96081R 60.1 5.8 33.5 2.4 7.8 55.7 10.2Integra 98150R 65.8 6.7 34.0 2.0 7.3 55.5 10.2Integra 96170R 46.8 6.4 37.0 3.2 6.7 56.8 10.2

Mean 57.6 5.5 33.5 2.3 7.5 55.9 10.2LSD.05 13.47 2.11 4.15 1.20 0.40 NS NS

Early planting dates across varieties

Seeding Dates

Yield bu/A at

13% Moisture

Lowest Pod

Height

Mature Plant

Height Lodging

Maturity on Oct. 6,

2008Test

WeightPercent Moisture

23-May 77.3 5.0 35.0 1.9 7.8 55.3 10.030-May 69.4 5.8 34.6 2.2 7.8 56.0 10.26-Jun 61.5 6.2 34.1 2.2 7.7 56.1 10.1

13-Jun 54.5 5.3 32.5 2.5 7.6 56.3 10.220-Jun 46.9 5.4 32.4 2.4 7.1 56.3 10.127-Jun 35.7 5.7 32.2 2.5 6.9 55.4 10.3Mean 57.6 5.5 33.5 2.3 7.5 55.9 10.2

LSD.05 11.00 NS 3.39 NS 0.33 NS NS

Late planting date and maturity group effect on soybean yield at

CBC

Variety Maturity Group

Planting Date2-Jul 9-Jul 16-Jul 23-Jul 30-Jul 6-Aug

----------------------------Yield, bu/acre---------------------------

Integra 109R001 0.0 52.0 43.8 29.8 13.9 2.0 0.7Integra 96081R 0.8 58.3 41.7 19.6 3.2 0.5 0.1Integra 98150R 1.5 49.9 24.4 8.6 2.3 0.1 0.1Integra 96170R 1.7 36.1 14.5 4.9 0.4 0.6 0.2

LSD 5% 2.8CV 28.9