Jim Laine – Laine Farms, USDA Conservation Innovation Grant
Overview Laine Farms is an operation that grows and processes warm season grasses into pellets for on-farm
burning and selling to customers. Jim Laine describes how much of the research done on the farm
was paid for by a USDA – Conservation Innovation Grant. The purpose of this grant is to create
value for warm season native grasses by pelletizing them for a heat source. Mr. Laine explains how
it is his belief that some conservation groups are slowly “squeezing off” traditional farmers and how
these traditional farmers must find a new source of revenue. Throughout his presentation, Mr. Laine
reviews how the farm slowly increased in size and scale as well as diversified its business plan into
not only pelletizing biomass for a fuel source, but for animal consumption. He gives examples of
various biomass sources that can be pelleted as well as data comparing the nutritional content of
traditional animal feed (Orchardgrass and Timothy) to warm season grass mixes.
Key Words
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USDA – Conservation Innovation Grant
Pelletizing
Bulk Density
Animal Forage
Nutritional Content
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Essays1. While it may be controversial, it is the opinion of some farmers that some conservation groups are
slowly “squeezing out” traditional farmers from agricultural land. What reasons do they give for this
belief?
Some believe that a few conservation groups are “squeezing out” traditional farmers from
agricultural land by gaining the control of that land from the farmers. This is done by a variety
of means. Conservation groups can gain control over land by having it donated to them, for
example, a farmer will stipulate in their will that the land is to be conserved and ran by a
particular organization. They can also purchase land outright if the group has sufficient capital
and the land is relatively cheap. Furthermore, some conservation groups can gain control of
land by having a relationship with the local government where an agreement is made that the
organization will have custodial control over land uses for environmental conservation
purposes and public access rather than for food production.
2. Since appliances that can burn pellets for fuel are not widely available for retail or wholesale purchase,
there may not be a large enough customer base to make this a viable business model. What can a
facility that has the ability to pelletize biomass do to increase its profits?
If a facility has the equipment to pelletize raw biomass, a more profitable venture may be to
manufacture pellets as animal forage rather than for fuel. Animal forage pellets can be sold for
twice the price of a wood pellet. Studies have been done that compare the nutritional content of
a warm season grass mix to Orchardgrass and Timothy and has found that the two have
relatively similar nutrient concentrations of the most essential elements in an animal’s diet. The
warm season grasses can be harvested in the summer when yield is higher and the weather is
more suitable, and are more valuable at this time than in the winter season.
Multiple Choice –
1. Conservation groups can often gain control of land from farmers by all means except:
a. Having it donated to them
b. Purchasing it
c. Having an agreement with the local township
d. Suing the original owner
2. The USDA can assist farmers in helping them to find unique ways of preserving their land by
creating new products by issuing:
a. Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Grants
b. Conservation Innovation Grants
c. Wildlife Habitat Improvement Grants
d. Natural Resource Conservation Grants
3. A common binder in the pelletizing process is:
a. Molasses
b. Honey
c. Synthetic Epoxy
d. High Fructose Corn Syrup
4. One problem encountered while burning biomass pellets for fuel is the amount of:
a. Heat
b. Ash
c. Carbon
d. Smoke
e.
5. Which can NOT be pelletized?
a. Soybean Stover
b. Alfalfa
c. Corn Kernels
d. Barley Straw
6. An Orchardgrass and Timothy Mix has a higher concentration (Mg/kg) than a warm season grass
mix in:
a. Iron
b. Manganese
c. Zinc
d. Copper
True/False –
1.
2.
3.
4.
A 15 horsepower mill can produce 300-550 pounds of pellets per hour. False
Only warm season grasses can be pelletized. False
A biomass furnace creates less of an ash problem when burning than a pellet stove. True
The nutrient content of warm season grass mixes are much greater than Orchardgrass and Timothy.
False
Fill in the Blank –
1. The yield for warm season grasses is highest in the Summer Season.
2. A 30 horsepower mill can produce 300-550 pounds of pellets per hour.