Sustainable agriculture practices are important to meet future societal needs for food, fiber and energy.
“Sustainable agriculture” was addressed by Congress in the 1990 “Farm Bill” [Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (FACTA), Public Law 101-624, Title XVI, Subtitle A, Section 1603 (Government Printing Office, Washington, DC, 1990) NAL Call # KF1692.A31 1990]. Under that law, “the term sustainable agriculture means an integrated system of plant and animal production practices having a site-specific application that will, over the long term:
- satisfy human food and fiber needs;
- enhance environmental quality and the natural resource base upon which the agricultural economy depends;
- make the most efficient use of nonrenewable resources and on-farm resources and integrate, where appropriate, natural biological cycles and controls;
- sustain the economic viability of farm operations; and
- enhance the quality of life for farmers and society as a whole.”
Why Giant Miscanthus
SOCIAL
Highly Efficient Non-Food Crop
- Perennial Grass: Plant once, stand lasting over 20 years.
- Minimal nutrient, water and herbicide/pesticide requirements.
- Heat and drought tolerant.
New market opportunities
- Creates jobs for the bio-economy.
Alternative for marginal and under-utilized land
ENVIRONMENTAL
Reduced Carbon Footprint
- Removes 50% more carbon from the atmosphere and sequesters 94% more carbon in the soil than a pine plantation per acre per year.
Soil Quality
- Miscanthus ecosystems contain 67% more soil organic carbon than traditional row crop ecosystems.
Water Quality
- 90% reduction in Nitrate leaching vs traditional row crop ecosystems.
- 30-60% decrease in soil erosion vs traditional row crop ecosystems.
ECONOMIC
Price Stability
- Long term stable feedstock cost for customers.
- Stable returns for growers/landowners.
Desirable Feedstock
- Mature yields can range from 8 – 14 bone dry tons per acre. Three times more biomass per acre than pine plantation.
- Consistent composition. Low moisture, highly absorbent, low ash and mineral content.
- More than 2x achievable ethanol and MMBTU per acre compared to corn.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is sustainable agriculture?
Under the 1990 Farm Bill, sustainable agriculture means an integrated system of plant and animal production practices with a site-specific application that, over the long term, satisfies human food and fiber needs; enhances environmental quality and the natural resource base; makes the most efficient use of nonrenewable and on-farm resources; sustains the economic viability of farm operations; and enhances the quality of life for farmers and society as a whole.
Why is giant miscanthus considered sustainable?
It is a non-food perennial grass that is planted once and can stand for over 20 years. It needs minimal nutrient, water and herbicide or pesticide inputs, is heat and drought tolerant, and offers an alternative crop for marginal and under-utilized land.
How does miscanthus affect carbon and soil?
Per acre per year, miscanthus removes 50% more carbon from the atmosphere and sequesters 94% more carbon in the soil than a pine plantation. Miscanthus ecosystems also contain 67% more soil organic carbon than traditional row crop ecosystems.
How does miscanthus affect water quality and erosion?
Compared with traditional row crop ecosystems, miscanthus shows a 90% reduction in nitrate leaching and a 30-60% decrease in soil erosion.
How much biomass does miscanthus produce?
Mature yields can range from 8 to 14 bone dry tons per acre, three times more biomass per acre than a pine plantation. Miscanthus can also deliver more than twice the ethanol and MMBTU per acre compared to corn.