This paper examines the impact of biofuel expansion on grain utilization and distribution at the state and cropping district level as most of grain producers and handlers are directly influenced by the local changes. We conducted a survey to understand the utilization and flows of corn, ethanol...

This paper uses a simultaneous equation system to determine the impact of ethanol fuel production on the U.S. motor gasoline market, especially gasoline prices. Based on estimation results, every billion gallon increase in ethanol production decreases gasoline prices by as much as 6 cents.

This paper examines the possibilities of breaking into the cellulosic ethanol market in south Louisiana via strategic feedstock choices and the leveraging of the area’s competitive advantages. A small plant strategy is devised whereby the first-mover problem might be solved, and several...

Extending switchgrass harvest over many months would require a smaller investment in harvest machines, but would result in a lower average harvestable yield per acre and would require more nitrogen fertilizer, less land for storage, and more land for growing switchgrass. A model was constructed...

This paper describes research to create a national database of switchgrass supply as part of the biomass program launched by the Department of Energy. The paper provides an estimate of county level switchgrass yield data for the state of Oklahoma. The estimates are made for the top five most...

Combustion of fossil fuels has added tremendous quantities of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere, and the increase will continue over the coming decades considering the increasing global population and standards of living. Biofuel cropping systems are believed to realize GHG emission reductions...

The purpose of this research was to determine whether indirect land use occurs and if so to what extent. Indirect land use is a change from non-cropland to cropland (e.g. deforestation) that may occur in response to increasing scarcity of cropland. As farmers worldwide respond to higher crop...

The low efficiency of feedstock storage and transportation hinders commercialization of a switchgrass-based biofuel industry although the feedstock has various environmental benefits. This study develops a sustainable switchgrass supply chain that balances its economic and environmental...

Ethanol has gradually gain momentum in the world’s energy market in recent decades with Brazil the largest producers. The issue of price linkage among ethanol, sugar and oil is particular interesting and important in the context of Brazilian sugarcane sector. By accounting for the possible...