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Simulating the Feasibility of Dual Use Switchgrass on Cow-Calf Operations

Author

Listed:
  • Michael P. Popp

    (Department of Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR 72701, USA)

  • Amanda J. Ashworth

    (Poultry Production and Product Safety Research Unit, USDA-ARS, Fayetteville, AR 72701, USA)

  • Charles P. West

    (Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409, USA)

Abstract

Meeting biorefineries’ demands for lignocellulosic biomass will require sourcing feedstock without affecting the food or animal-feed supply. A decision-aid model can assess the dual use of switchgrass ( Panicum virgatum L.) to maintain animal production while providing biomass. We simulated a mixed-farm operation with 156 ha of hay+pasture, 96 beef cows ( Bos spp.), and poultry ( Gallus gallus L.) production wherein the hay land was converted to switchgrass for dual use as biomass and forage. The cow-calf simulator tracked changes in forage and cattle production, economic returns, and net greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Dual use of switchgrass consisted of harvesting the first cutting (mid-June) for hay and the second cutting (October-November) for biomass. Dual use required a modest increase in fertilizer application and supplementing cows with corn grain to meet nutritional requirements. Converting hay land to dual-use switchgrass produced 122 Mg of switchgrass, reduced net GHG emissions for autumn- and spring-calving operations by 3.4 and 3.6%, respectively, and increased the farm profit by approximately $1500 when priced at $50 Mg −1 regardless of the calving season. This simulation provided evidence that conversion of hay lands (in a beef cow-calf and poultry farm) to dual-use switchgrass can avoid displacing food production, while supplying bioenergy feedstock and reducing climate-forcing gases.

Suggested Citation

  • Michael P. Popp & Amanda J. Ashworth & Charles P. West, 2021. "Simulating the Feasibility of Dual Use Switchgrass on Cow-Calf Operations," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(9), pages 1-10, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:14:y:2021:i:9:p:2422-:d:542337
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Smith, Stephen A. & Caldwell, James D. & Popp, Michael P. & Coffey, Kenneth P. & Jennings, John A. & Savin, Mary C. & Rosenkrans, Charles F., 2012. "Tall Fescue Toxicosis Mitigation Strategies: Comparisons of Cow-Calf Returns in Spring- and Fall-Calving Herds," Journal of Agricultural and Applied Economics, Cambridge University Press, vol. 44(4), pages 577-592, November.
    2. Cahill, Nathanial & Popp, Michael & West, Charles & Rocateli, Alexandre & Ashworth, Amanda & Farris, Rodney & Dixon, Bruce, 2014. "Switchgrass Harvest Time Effects on Nutrient Use and Yield: An Economic Analysis," Journal of Agricultural and Applied Economics, Cambridge University Press, vol. 46(4), pages 487-507, November.
    3. Popp, Michael P. & Nalley, Lawton Lanier, 2011. "Modeling Interactions of a Carbon Offset Policy and Biomass Markets on Crop Allocations," Journal of Agricultural and Applied Economics, Southern Agricultural Economics Association, vol. 43(3), pages 1-13, August.
    4. Smith, S. Aaron & Popp, Michael P. & Keeton, Daniel R. & West, Charles P. & Coffey, Kenneth P. & Nalley, L. Lanier & Brye, Kristofor R., 2016. "Economic and Greenhouse Gas Emission Response to Pasture Species Composition, Stocking Rate, and Weaning Age by Calving Season, Farm Size, and Pasture Fertility," Agricultural and Resource Economics Review, Cambridge University Press, vol. 45(1), pages 98-123, April.
    5. Smith, Stephen A. & Caldwell, James D. & Popp, Michael P. & Coffey, Kenneth P. & Jennings, John A. & Savin, Mary C. & Rosenkrans, Charles F., Jr., 2012. "Tall Fescue Toxicosis Mitigation Strategies: Comparisons of Cow-calf Returns," Journal of Agricultural and Applied Economics, Southern Agricultural Economics Association, vol. 44(4), pages 1-16, November.
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