Progress 09/01/10 to 08/31/14
Outputs
Target Audience: The primary target audiences for this project are local land owners and agricultural producers, tribal communities, Extension Educators, and college students. Changes/Problems: Changes to this project occurred due to the crop failures experienced with the variety trails at BMCC's Waishkey Bay Farm and the larger pots at the Zimmerman property. These crop failures resulted in: less fuel stock available for experimenting with pellet production and quality; lack of information available for financial analysis; and a one year no-cost extension for the project. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? During this reporting period students from Bay Mills Community College, Lake Superior State University, and Michigan State University were hired to assist with this project. These students received professional development in all areas of project management and grass production. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Project activities were reported through articles in the Bay Mills News, the BMCC Newsletter, MSU AgBioResearch publications, and the LSSU website. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Switchgrass biomass variety trial: Since the variety plots at BMCC's Waishkey Bay Farm failed due to severe drought conditions and challenging soil conditions, this report includes only the data from the MSU site in Chatham. Fourteen varieties (10 varieties of upland ecotypes and 4 varieties of lowland ecotypes) of switchgrass were established on June 27, 2011. One hundred pounds of nitrogen fertilizer (urea) was applied on May 28, 2012, and one qt of atrazine and four liters plus one pt of Banvel were applied on May 21, 2012. Switchgrass was harvested on November 5, 2012 at the MSU site in Chatham, MI. On average, the switchgrass biomass yielded 4.52 dry matter tons per acre and the yield ranged from 1.70 to 5.62 dry matter tons per acre. The highest and the lowest yield varieties were Cave-in-Rock and EG1102, respectively. The varieties that yielded more than five dry matter tons per acre were Carthage, WSZ-C1, Cave-in-Rock, EG2101, WS8U, and Blackwell. Switchgrass nitrogen fertility trial in 2012 There was no yield difference between urea and ESN nitrogen fertilizer types, indicating that ESN didn't show any advantage in terms of yield and cost-saving when compared to urea. Both urea and ESN treatments had significantly higher biomass yield than the control treatment. Switchgrass variety testing was conducted at the Michigan State University (MSU) Upper Peninsula Research Center in Chatham and the Bay Mills Community College's Waishkey Bay Research Farm in Brimley. Due to severe drought conditions and challeb ging soild conditions in Brimley, switchgrass establishment at Waishkey Bay Farm failed and stands looked very poor. Switchgrass nitrogen fertility trial: Switchgrass nitrogen fertility was conducted at the MSU Upper Peninsula Research Center in Chatham. Switchgrass was planted on June 27, 2011 and harvested on November 5, 2012. Two different types of nitrogen fertilizers were used (urea vs. ESN; slowly releasing polymer coated nitrogen). There were 11 treatments; control (no nitrogen fertilizer), five rates (25, 20, 75, 100, and 125 lbs per acre) using urea, and five rates 925, 50, 75, 100, and 125 lbs per acre) using ESN. One qt of atrazine and four liters plus one pt of Banvel were applied on May 21, 2012. Fuel Pellet Research: Experimenting with production methods for increasing production of pellets. The students worked with the donated switchgrass and commercial binder. Development of safety protocols and Standard Operating Procedures for machine use. They have developed a screening method to take the fine fluffy material from the ground up switch grass. This fine material absorbs an undue amount of the water added and results in poor pellet formation and obstruction of the dies in the pelletizer. They have constructed a large, 2-layer screen table to better prepare the ground material for pelletizing. They experimented with various mixing methods and then settled on use of a small, electric motor driven cement mixer for blending the ground material, the binder and the water. Testing and Firing grass-based fuel pellets: The students tested pellets for moisture content and firing them in the pellet stove. The heat output is measured by stove glass temperature taken with a laser thermometer after 20 minutes of combustion. Maintenance of the pelletizer: The bearings wore out on the rotator in the pellet mill and were replaced. Larger Plot Establishment: Field preparation and planting of energy crop at Zimmerman property. One-fourth of the field was planted to switchgrass, 3/8 of it to one variety of reed canary grass and 3/8 to a different variety.
Publications
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Progress 09/01/13 to 08/31/14
Outputs
Target Audience: The primary target audiences for this project are local land owners and agricultural producers, tribal communities, Extension Educators, and college students. Changes/Problems: During this reporting period project challenges continued to focus on grass crop germination and establishment in our climate and soil conditions. The repeated crop failures led to the inability to complete financial analysis components of the project. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? During this reporting period students from Bay Mills Community College, Lake Superior State University, and Michigan State University were hired to assist with this project. These students received professional development in all areas of project management and grass production. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Project activities were reported through articles in the Bay Mills News, the BMCC Newsletter, MSU AgBioResearch publications, and the LSSU website. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
During this project period: grass based pellets were produced using grasses from MSU’s Chatham Research and Extension Station; variety trial plots at BMCC’s Waishkey Bay Farm were monitored for growth – ultimately leading to “crop failure” description due to germination challenges; and the larger trials at the Zimmerman property were deemed “crop failure” due to germination challenges from the previous year, pest competition, and extreme winter kill.
Publications
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Progress 09/01/12 to 08/31/13
Outputs
Target Audience: The primary target audiences for this project are local land owners and agricultural producers, tribal communities, Extension Educators, and college students. Changes/Problems: During the 2013 growing season record precipitation created field conditions that made it impossible to reseed the variety trial plots at Waishkey Bay Farm. Additionally, in May of 2013 a request for a no cost extension of time was submitted and approved for this project. Co-PI Dr. Doo Hong Min left the employ of MIchigan State University and was replaced by new Co-PI Dr. Kimberly Cassida. The greatest challenge of this project continues to be establishing grass plots from seed in our climate and soil conditions. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? During this reporting period students from Bay Mills Community College, Lake Superior State University, and Michigan State University were hired to assist with this project. These students received professtional development in all areas of project management. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?
Nothing Reported
What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? During the September 1, 2013 to August 31, 2014 reporting period the following project activities will take place: reseed the variety trial plots at Waishkey Bay Farm, continue pellet production research, harvest switchgrass and reed canary grass at the Zimmerman property, complete economic analysis of grass-based fuel pellets, and conduct flue gas analysis.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
During this reporting period the larger switchgrass and reed canary grass plots on the Zimmerman property that were seeded in the early fall of 2012 continued to establish themselves. Since these grass stands require at least two seasons of growth before harvesting there was no harvesting to report during this period. A new hammer mill and pellet mill were purchased with project funds to allow continued research in the area of grass-based fuel pellet production. The variety trial research plots that failed at the Waishkey Bay Farm location in the summer of 2012 were not re-planted in the summer of 2013 due to near record precipitation throughout the growing season.
Publications
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Progress 09/01/11 to 08/31/12
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Switchgrass variety testing was conducted at the Michigan State University (MSU) Upper Peninsula Research Center in Chatham and the Bay Mills Community College's Waishkey Bay Research Farm in Brimley. Due to severe drought conditions in Brimley, switchgrass establishment at Waishkey Bay Farm failed and stands looked very poor. Therefore, the switchgrass variety testing trial will reestablished this spring (2013) in Brimley. Switchgrass nitrogen fertility trial in 2012: Switchgrass nitrogen fertility was conducted at the MSU Upper Peninsula Research Center in Chatham. Switchgrass was planted on June 27, 2011 and harvested on November 5, 2012. Two different types of nitrogen fertilizers were used (urea vs. ESN; slowly releasing polymer coated nitrogen). There were 11 treatments; control (no nitrogen fertilizer), five rates (25, 20, 75, 100, and 125 lbs per acre) using urea, and five rates 925, 50, 75, 100, and 125 lbs per acre) using ESN. One qt of atrazine and four liters plus one pt of Banvel were applied on May 21, 2012. Fuel Pellet Research: Experimenting with production methods for increasing production of pellets. The students have been working with the donated switchgrass and commercial binder. Development of safety protocols and Standard Operating Procedures for machine use. They have developed a screening method to take the fine fluffy material from the ground up switch grass. This fine material absorbs an undue amount of the water added and results in poor pellet formation and obstruction of the dies in the pelletizer. They have constructed a large, 2-layer screen table to better prepare the ground material for pelletizing. They experimented with various mixing methods and then settled on use of a small, electric motor driven cement mixer for blending the ground material, the binder and the water. Testing and Firing pellets. The students have been testing pellets for moisture content and firing them in the pellet stove. The heat output is measured bystove glass temperature taken with a laser thermometer after 20 minutes of combustion. They will begin monitoring volume and mass of pellets used as well. Maintenance of the pelletizer. The bearings wore out on the rotator in the pellet mill and have been replaced. Larger Plot Establishment: Field preparation and planting of energy crop at Zimmerman property. One-fourth of the field was planted to switchgrass, 3/8 of it to one variety of reed canary grass and 3/8 to a different variety. PARTICIPANTS: Partners Michigan State University (MSU) Staff at Michigan State University's Chatham Research Station were involved in the development and monitoring of the variety trial plots at Chatham and BMCC's Waishkey Bay Farm and the nitrogen fertility trials at Chatham. Staff from MSU included Dr. Doo-Hong Min (co PI) and technician Christian Kapp. Lake Superior State University (LSSU) Dr. Greg Zimmerman (co PI) and two students from LSSU provided leadership for fuel pellet development research and the establishment and monitoring of the larger grass plots at the Zimmerman property. Bay Mills Community College (BMCC) Dr. Steve Yanni (PI) and one BMCC student were involved with the establishment and monitoring of the failed variety trials at BMCC's Waishkey Bay Farm and the larger grass plots at the Zimmerman property. TARGET AUDIENCES: The primary target audiences for this project are local land owners and agricultural producers, tribal communities, Extension Educators, and college students. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Since the variety trials at BMCC's Waishkey Bay Farm have failed so far due to persistent drought conditions, these trials will be re-started in the summer of 2013. The larger trial plot at the Zimmerman property was also impacted negatively by environmental conditions, and was established late in the summer of 2013 rather than 2012. Due to these weather-related challenges, we will be applying for a no-cost extension to carry the project through the summer of 2014. Additionally, co-PI Dr. Doo-Hong Min has accepted employment at a another institution and has left Michigan State University; his role is being assumed by another qualified MSU agronomy researcher.
Impacts
Switchgrass biomass variety trial in 2012 Since the variety plots at BMCC's Waishkey Bay Farm failed due to severe drought conditions, this report includes only the data from the MSU site in Chatham. Fourteen varieties (10 varieties of upland ecotypes and 4 varieties of lowland ecotypes) of switchgrass were established on June 27, 2011. One hundred pounds of nitrogen fertilizer (urea) was applied on May 28, 2012, and one qt of atrazine and four liters plus one pt of Banvel were applied on May 21, 2012. Switchgrass was harvested on November 5, 2012 at the MSU site in Chatham, MI. On average, the switchgrass biomass yielded 4.52 dry matter tons per acre and the yield ranged from 1.70 to 5.62 dry matter tons per acre. The highest and the lowest yield varieties were Cave-in-Rock and EG1102, respectively. The varieties that yielded more than five dry matter tons per acre were Carthage, WSZ-C1, Cave-in-Rock, EG2101, WS8U, and Blackwell. Switchgrass nitrogen fertility trial in 2012 There was no yield difference between urea and ESN nitrogen fertilizer types, indicating that ESN didn't show any advantage in terms of yield and cost-saving when compared to urea. Both urea and ESN treatments had significantly higher biomass yield than the control treatment.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 09/01/10 to 08/31/11
Outputs
OUTPUTS: As this research project involves variety and nitrogen trials of two types of grasses and the subsequent use of these grasses in fuel pellet production testing, along with an economic analysis of the viability of this renewable energy system, most outputs will not be realized until after the second growing season. During this reporting period two research variety trial plots were developed, one at the Bay Mills Community College (BMCC) agri-science property and one at Michigan State University's (MSU) Upper Peninsula Ag. Bio. Research Station in Chatham, Michigan. These variety trial plots were seeded with several varieties of switchgrass and reed canary grass to determine which varieties show the most promise as potential fuel stock crops. The trial plot at MSU's research station in Chatham is also being used to conduct nitrogen studies with the varieties of the grasses. Both research plots showed success in grass germination and growth; differences in growth rates between the varieties has been observed and recorded. The success of the switchgrass trial plots at the BMCC property marks the first time that switchgrass has been successfully established in this region of Michigan. A record of all financial inputs has also been developed to assist in analyzing the viability of this renewable energy system from an economic perspective. PARTICIPANTS: Staff from BMCC involved in the project during this reporting period included Agriculture Technician and Educator Richard Timmer (soil preparation, spraying, and seeding); student intern Willam LeBlanc (soil reparation, growth rate recording); and Land Grant Director, Dr. Steve Yanni (soil preparation and overall project management). Staff from Michigan State University included Dr. Doo-hong Min (completion of research design, oversight of trial plots); and Technician, Chris Kapp (soil preparation, seed purchasing, spraying, and seeding). Dr Greg Zimmerman from Lake Superior State University assisted with obtaining access to larger fields with local farmers, field preparation, and research design. TARGET AUDIENCES: Land Grant staff from BMCC, including a student intern, received training on research design, soil preparation, seeding, and weed management. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: During this reporting period, project plans were also to establish two larger stands of grasses on property owned by local farmers. Local farmers were identified and fields were made available for project use. Due to all-time record rainfall in the region for the month of April, and 5 inches above normal rainfall for the summer months, these fields were not suitable for preparation and planting throughout the growing season. The fields were sprayed for weed control and grass seed has been purchased; but, the actual grass planting will have to wait until the next growing season. This change may require an extension of the project to give these larger fields time to produce the amounts of grasses necessary for fuel pellet production studies.
Impacts
The major impacts of this project will not be understood until after the second and third growing seasons when the grasses are harvested and fuel pellet production commences. Outcomes realized during this reporting period include increased knowledge of soil preparation methods for grass seeding; student learning opportunities were realized as student interns were involved in the project; BMCC Land Grant staff have increased their knowledge of grass production due to their interaction with MSU colleagues; a research team focused on this area of inquiry has being strengthened between BMCC, MSU, and Lake Superior State University; and BMCC Land Grant staff and other partners have become more aware of the impacts of weather and soil conditions on the success of larger scale grass plantings, as we were not able to plant the two planned larger plots due to weather and soil conditions.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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