Missouri and Biofuels

Bioenergy 101Warrensburg

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