Identifier

etd-07062016-111309

Degree

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Agricultural Economics

Document Type

Thesis

Abstract

As national interests continue to encourage the development of advanced cellulosic biofuels, through legislation, research support and other means, a wide range of alternative agricultural crops are being evaluated in various regions of the country as potential feedstock material for biofuel processing facilities. Previous research has shown that both energy cane and sweet sorghum can be successfully grown in Louisiana. This study evaluated the economic feasibility of utilizing energy cane and sweet sorghum as biofuel feedstock crops. Economic analysis focused on two primary factors: estimation of feedstock cost and optimal location of processing facilities. Five cropping sequences were evaluated in the production of energy cane and sweet sorghum as feedstock crops. Production costs per acre were similar across the two crops and alternative cropping sequences. Estimated feedstock costs per dry ton were more variable for sweet sorghum, as compared with energy cane, due to the wider range of expected yields observed for sweet sorghum across alternative production periods. Transportation costs from field to processing facility along with the percent of idle land not enrolled in conservation programs were found to be two of the major factors which will influence optimal location of feedstock processing facilities.

Date

2016

Document Availability at the Time of Submission

Release the entire work immediately for access worldwide.

Committee Chair

Salassi, Michael

DOI

10.31390/gradschool_theses.735

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