Biomass feedstock – wood vs grasses
Posted: June 3, 2011
At a biomass meeting and hearing about problems with growing switchgrass on lousy soils in central PA from this grower in the photo.
Grower speaking about growing switchgrass in central PA
Issues around markets, weeds, and harvest loss dominated the discussion. Prices for switchgrass are about $30-40/ton and break-even prices on this site is about $70/acre. He should be going to trees, like short rotation woody crops such as willow and hybrid poplar. With wood he would probably get better yields, more market opportunities compared to switchgrass.
