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SWITCHGRASS Agronomy

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SWITCHGRASS Agronomy SWITCHGRASS Agronomy 2016 By R. Samson, E. Delaquis, B. Deen, J. DeBruyn and U. Eggimann SWITCHGRASS ∙ Agronomy ] Acknowledgements This document was developed with the support of: OMAFRA-U of G Knowledge Translation & Transfer Program TABLE OF CONTENTS [ Livestock Research Innovation Corporation Inc. Ontario Agri-Food Technologies Ontario Biomass Producers Co-operative Inc. SWITCHGRASS ∙ Agronomy ] The Ontario Biomass Producers Co-op would like to thank the document developers for their work toward the creation of this document. Roger Samson M.Sc REAP-Canada Erik Delaquis M.Sc REAP-Canada Bill Deen Ph.D University of Guelph Jake DeBruyn P.Eng TABLE OF CONTENTS Ontario Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Rural Affairs [ Urs Eggimann Eggimann Farms The Ontario Biomass Producers Co-op would also like to acknowledge the efforts of the following individual contributors, in alphabetical order: Gary Bergstrom Cornell University Mike Cowbrough Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs James Fisher Fidale Farms Patrick Huber-Kidby Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Olivier Lalonde Centre de recherche sur les grains John Molenhuis Ontario Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Rural Affairs Don Nott Switch Energy Corp Mahendra Thimmanagari Ontario Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Rural Affairs Kate Withers Ontario Centres of Excellence SWITHGRASS ∙ Agronomy ] Table of Contents CHAPTER 1: Switchgrass Basics .............................................................................................................. 1 Introduction .................................................................................................................................................... 1 What is Switchgrass ..................................................................................................................................... 1 10 Key Points in Switchgrass Production ........................................................................................... 1 Why Grow Switchgrass............................................................................................................................... 3 History of Switchgrass in North America ........................................................................................... 5 FIGURES ONTENTS & C Why Switchgrass is a Promising Biomass Crop ............................................................................... 6 [ Environmental Benefits ............................................................................................................................. 6 CHAPTER 2: Site & Material Selection .............................................................................................. 11 Site Selection ................................................................................................................................................. 11 Types of Switchgrass ................................................................................................................................. 13 Choosing a Switchgrass Variety ............................................................................................................ 15 Switchgrass Seed Quality ......................................................................................................................... 20 CHAPTER 3: Site Preparation ................................................................................................................ 23 Site Preparation, Tillage, and Planting ............................................................................................... 23 CHAPTER 4: Establishment .................................................................................................................... 27 Establishment Challenges ....................................................................................................................... 27 Nutrient Application During Establishment .................................................................................... 28 Perennial Weed Control During Establishment ............................................................................. 29 Management During Establishment (Year 1).................................................................................. 29 First Year Weed Control ........................................................................................................................... 30 Building up a vigorous Plant Stand ..................................................................................................... 30 Planting a Nurse Crop ............................................................................................................................... 31 Using a Stale Seedbed ................................................................................................................................ 34 Applying Herbicides Carefully ............................................................................................................... 34 Clipping Weeds ............................................................................................................................................ 35 Combining Strategies ................................................................................................................................ 36 Soil Fertility and Nutrient Application ............................................................................................... 36 SWITHGRASS ∙ Agronomy Stand Evaluation ......................................................................................................................................... 37 ] CHAPTER 5: Post-Establishment Management ........................................................................... 39 Ongoing Weed Management .................................................................................................................. 39 Nutrient Application .................................................................................................................................. 39 Pests ................................................................................................................................................................. 41 Diseases .......................................................................................................................................................... 42 Long Term Management .......................................................................................................................... 46 CHAPTER 6: Harvest Management & Storage .............................................................................. 47 Harvesting ...................................................................................................................................................... 47 Harvest Equipment and Systems ......................................................................................................... 51 FIGURES ONTENTS & C Yield Expectations ...................................................................................................................................... 61 [ Storage Alternatives .................................................................................................................................. 61 Converting Old Switchgrass Fields ...................................................................................................... 64 CHAPTER 7: Switchgrass Markets ...................................................................................................... 65 Existing Markets and End Uses ............................................................................................................. 65 Marketing with the OBPC ........................................................................................................................ 68 Economics and Crop Budgeting ............................................................................................................ 69 OMAFRA Switchgrass Enterprise Budgeting ................................................................................... 72 Assumptions for Budget ........................................................................................................................... 76 CONCLUSIONS ................................................................................................................................................. 79 APPENDIX 1 Sources of Switchgrass Seed APPENDIX 2 Sources of Information SWITHGRASS ∙ Agronomy ] Table of Figures Figure 1. Big Blue Stem and Switchgrass (R. Samson) ................................................................. 3 Figure 2. First field scale Planting (R. Samson) ............................................................................... 4 Figure 3. J. Fisher with Spring Harvested Bale (J. Debruyn) ....................................................... 5 Figure 4. Switchgrass field as Habitat (R. Samson) ........................................................................ 8 Figure 5. Switchgrass field diversity (R. Samson) .......................................................................... 9 Figure 6. U. Eggimann with well-established field on Class 3 land (R. Samson).............. 11 ONTENTS & FIGURES ONTENTS & C Figure 7. Ontario Crop Heat Unit Zones ........................................................................................... 13 [ Figure 8. Good Upland variety Stand (R. Samson) ......................................................................
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