Missouri and Biofuels
Bioenergy 101
Warrensburg
November 2008
SARE White Paper
• How Sustainable are Current Biofuel Efforts
• Critical Questions
– Removal of crop residues
– Effects on food and feed costs
– Local community infrastructure
– Effect on local communities
Research & Education Themes
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Energy Conservation & Efficiency
Energy Efficient Production Practices
Non-biomass Renewable Energy Sources
Alt. Biomass Feed Stock Production Systems
Environmental Impact of Bioenergy Prod.
Community & Rural Development Impacts
Local & Regional Economic Devel.
Whole Farm Integrated Energy Systems.
Potential
• Hay: 7.7 mill. Acres
• CRP: 1,405,553 acres
• Wooded area ??
Complexity of Biofuels
• Economics
– Costs of production
– Costs of harvest and transport
•
•
•
•
Nutrient removal
Soil loss
Impact on livestock industry
Impact on communities
– Roads
– Water, etc.
• Volatility
Cooperation Essential
• Players needed
– Community Leaders
– Extension
– Farmers
– Industry
– Water Suppliers
– Others
Extension’s Role
• Technical expertise:
– Economics
– Agronomy
– Animal Science
– Ag Engineering
– Community Development
– Business Development
• Convening players
Future
• Changing fast
• Stay tuned