POWER¦
SPROUTING SUCCESS: The University of Iowa’s miscanthus crop, planted mid-June, demonstrates robust growth in October. PHOTO: FERMAN MILSTER
Voigt says. “It’s not really a challenge, but a farmer may have to harvest slower than they’d like to.” Wheeler notes that Repreve is developing new markets that don’t need government support, but he says there are new markets that require government support to attract investments. "BCAP is one program that is critical to developing new markets," he says. "The key to BCAP working is stability, and that is what we are working on with policymakers." Miscanthus may come in handy for Iowan farmers combating soil erosion and mitigating nutrient management issues that the state currently faces. “There’s a general awareness throughout Iowa that there are severe soil erosion and nutrient management issues—it’s a huge deal—and dedicated, perennial energy crops are one way to help mitigate those issues,” Ferman says. “It’s an exciting way, a way agriculture can generate new revenue streams not dependent on corn and bean production.” Ferman adds that UI and others doing similar work are creating a market where one does not exist. “That’s been the significant barrier to energy crop production… we’re working on establishing a significant market, and hopefully others will take interest and see that it’s growing.” Author: Anna Simet Managing Editor, Biomass Magazine asimet@bbiinternational.com 701-738-4961
FEBRUARY 2014 | BIOMASS MAGAZINE 19