This project is based on the concept that Midwest agriculture is poised to see a major shift from providing food and fiber to an increasing emphasis to producing energy. To take advantage of this new opportunity farming systems for energy production need to be developed. While much discussion has focused on switch grass, corn stover and natural grass, the researchers involved in this project believe that soybeans can play an important role in these systems. The importance of maintaining soybeans in the crop rotation will be explored. The five-year project has major funding from several agencies (USDA-CREES, South Dakota Corn Utilization Board and NASA).
The project deliverables include developing a fact sheet on the impact of corn and soybean on energy efficiency, profitability and carbon sequestration; and a fact sheet on the potential for all energy crops in South Dakota.
The United Soybean Research Retention policy will display final reports with the project once completed but working files will be purged after three years. And financial information after seven years. All pertinent information is in the final report or if you want more information, please contact the project lead at your state soybean organization or principal investigator listed on the project.