SUPPLY RESPONSE OF SORGHUM FOR ENERGY-CONVERSION - TEXAS LOWER RIO-GRANDE VALLEY uri icon

abstract

  • Since the 1973 oil crisis, many studies have investigated using biomass residue from crops as an alternative, renewable source of energy. Sorghum is particularly suited to many of these processes due to the high concentration of convertible solids contained in some varieties. This paper investigates the quantity of such sorghums that would be supplied by the Texas Lower Rio Grande Valley (LRGV) at different price levels. A linear programming MOTAD model which simulates optimal cropping patterns in the LRGV under risk is used to determine the price of biomass required for biomass to be competitive as a crop alternative in the wide range of cropping pattern options available to producers in the LRGV. The sensitivity of this supply response is also amalyzed at different levels of risk. The results indicate that biomass produced as a residual crop to the sorghum for grain will provide the least expensive source of biomass feedstock for a gas conversion plant regardless of the level of risk imposed. 1986.

published proceedings

  • ENERGY IN AGRICULTURE

author list (cited authors)

  • TEAGUE, P. W., & LACEWELL, R. D.

citation count

  • 1

complete list of authors

  • TEAGUE, PW||LACEWELL, RD

publication date

  • January 1986