March 31, 2010
Contact: Cornell University: Jerry H. Cherney, Department of Crop & Soil
Sciences, 607-255-0945; Donald R. Viands, Department of Plant Breeding &
Genetics, Cornell University, 607-255-3081
Research Supports Northern NY’s Biomass Energy Potential
The results of research that supports Northern New York’s potential for
producing biomass energy crops are now posted in two reports online at
www.nnyagdev.org. The research was made possible with funding from the
farmer-driven, NYS Legislature-funded Northern New York Agricultural
Development Program.
“The northern New York region would have the most to gain from adoption
of a bioheat industry compared to other regions in the Northeast,” says
Cornell University bioenergy researcher Jerry H. Cherney.
Cherney is lead author of “Optimizing Grass Biomass Yield and Quality
for Combustion,” now available to help Northern New York farmers
interested in producing a farm-grown energy product.
“Grass biomass for residential and light industrial heating has the
potential to be a local closed-loop energy system, with the grass
produced, densified and marketed locally,” Cherney says.
Cherney, a professor with Cornell’s Department of Crop & Soil Sciences,
says the energy content in pelleted grass is similar to premium wood
pellets.
“The efficiency of a grass bioheat system has been estimated at 14:1
energy output to energy input. Conversion efficiencies of other biomass
processes rarely exceed a 4:1 ratio and can be considerably lower,”
Cherney says.
The research report evaluates three grass species with high yield
potential: switchgrass, reed canarygrass, and tall fescue – all grown on
test plots at the Cornell University E.V. Baker Agricultural Research
Farm at Willsboro, NY (Essex County).
The “Production and evaluation of perennial grasses for energy
conversion in Northern New York” report provides an evaluation of the
agronomic factors affecting the production of switchgrass and other
grasses grown as an energy crop in Northern New York. This research was
funded by the Northern New York Agricultural Development Program and the
New York Farm Viability Institute.
Lead researcher Donald R. Viands, a Cornell University Department of
Plant Breeding and Genetics professor, says, “The Northern New York
region’s close proximity to major population and transportation centers
makes it ideal for development of bioenergy crops. Perennial grasses
reduce greenhouse gas emissions and soil erosion by the sequestration of
carbon from the atmosphere and through production of an extensive root
system.”
The report provides data on the percentage of pure live seed, yield,
height and maturity ratings for 24 varieties or seed mixes and compares
yield data from trials in five New York counties, including trials at WH
Miner Agricultural Research Institute at Chazy (Clinton County) and at
Belleville-Henderson Central School in Belleville (Jefferson County).
The two reports are found in the Grass-Based Agriculture section of the
www.nnyagdev.org website under
Grass Biomass and Grass Trials.
The Northern New York Agricultural Development Program is a
farmer-driven research, outreach and technical assistance program that
helps regional farmers and growers be more productive and profitable.
The program receives funding from the New York State Legislature through
the leadership of Senate Agriculture Committee Chair Darrel J. Aubertine,
Assembly Agriculture Chair William Magee, and the long-term support of
Senator Elizabeth “Betty” Little. # # #
Optimizing Grass Biomass Yield and Quality for Combustion
authors:
… Jerry H. Cherney, Department of Crop & Soil Sciences, Cornell
University, 607-255-0945
… Quirine Ketterings, Department of Animal Science, Cornell University,
607-255-3061
… Debbie J.Cherney, Department of Animal Science, Cornell University,
607-255-2882
… Michael H. Davis, Cornell University E.V. Baker Agricultural Research
Farm, Willsboro, NY, 518-963-7492
Production and evaluation of perennial grasses for energy
conversion in Northern NY authors:
… Donald R. Viands, Department of Plant Breeding & Genetics, Cornell
University, 607-255-3081
… Julie L. Hansen, Department of Plant Breeding & Genetics, Cornell
University, 607-255-5043
… Hilary S. Mayton, Department of Plant Breeding & Genetics, Cornell
University, 607-255-5043
NNY Cornell Cooperative Extension Field Crop Educators:
• Clinton/Essex County: Anita Deming, 518-962-4810
• Franklin County: Stephen Canner, 518-483-7403
• Jefferson County: Michael E. Hunter, 315-788-8450
• Lewis County: Joseph R. Lawrence, 315-376-5270
• St. Lawrence County: Stephen Canner, 315-379-9192
# # #
