Location Effect On Switchgrass Biomass Loss and Feedstock Quality During Storage.

The effects of storage method and storage duration on biomass loss and feedstock quality are important considerations to the commercialization of switchgrass for bioenergy. We evaluated the effect of location and storage platform on switchgrass biomass losses during storage. ‘Shawnee’ switchgrass was grown in a 23-ha field near Mead, NE in 2006.  Switchgrass was harvested with commercial haying equipment at anthesis (~1 August) in 2007. Switchgrass was baled in large round bales (net-wrapped 3 times and net-wrapped 4 times) and large square bales and stored (open or covered) at Mead, NE and Ames, IA. Bales were weighted immediately after harvest at Mead, NE and a randomly-selected subset was transported to Ames, IA and assigned to a storage treatment. The effects of location, storage method and storage duration were determined by weighing and sampling bales at harvest and following storage for 6- and 12-months. Biomass losses of 38% were observed for large square bales stored outside for 12 months. However, large round bales had biomass losses of 10–13%. Feedstock quality parameters are being evaluated. Changes in switchgrass biomass and feedstock quality in different storage environments will be important to understand as the biorefinery market develops.