2008 Joint Annual Meeting (5-9 Oct. 2008): Impacts of Biofuel Crops on CRP Land.

Switchgrass and corn are potential crops for producing ethanol throughout the country.  However, ethanol production demands are such that additional land is needed.  An option is to use CRP land as potential production areas.  Crop simulation models, such as EPIC, can be used to calculate long-term production and runoff characteristics under a range of environments at many locations.  EPIC was used to simulate switchgrass and corn production in the Iowa River watershed for 40 years.  Simulated production was similar to field plots in the area.  Corn had significantly higher runoff.  Switchgrass had higher percolation.  Production on additional CRP acreages will be needed to make a significant impact on the water quality of the river.