In this chapter the development of new sugarcane varieties in Florida and Louisiana is examined, along with the accompanying advancement in mechanization technology through the widespread adoption of sugarcane harvesters. An econometric analysis is carried out to determine the impact of the price of raw sugar on raw-sugar yields in Louisiana and Florida. This study found that in the case of Louisiana, the 3-year lagged US raw-sugar price had a positive and significant impact on sugar yields. The change in raw-sugar prices did not have a significant impact on sugar yields for the Florida industry. Sugar production has increased over time, in part, due to the development of new sugarcane varieties accompanied by modern sugarcane harvesters. Given the relationship between price and yield, particularly in Louisiana, policy makers and producers must be mindful of the potential impact of policy-induced research and development (R&D) on the competitiveness of their industry.

Concentration of biofuel feedstock crop production in specific regions of the USA is dependent on the relative comparative advantage of production in a specific region based on several agronomic and economic factors. For the southeastern region of the USA, energy cane and sweet sorghum have been identified as two feedstock crops with the greatest potential for further development of production. This study utilized field trial data from yield studies in Louisiana to develop estimates of feedstock crop production costs and biofuel feedstock input costs for these two crops. Results indicated that feedstock production costs on a harvest yield basis, as well as the related dry matter basis, were heavily dependent on yield level. Economic research from this study indicated that energy cane had a slight cost advantage compared with sweet sorghum, although production of sorghum in certain periods during the growing season was very cost competitive with energy cane.

The Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 established the Renewable Fuels Standard which set forth goals for domestic renewable fuel production of cellulosic and advanced biofuels in the United States. A major issue confronting the achievement of these biofuel utilization goals is the probability that the eventual expansion of advanced cellulosic biofuel production would be sufficient to meet the stated goals. Current long range projections of cellulosic biofuel production are expected to remain significantly below statutory targets due to the limited supply and expected development of cellulosic biofuel production. The production capacity expansion of advanced cellulosic biofuel has been identified as a major challenge in meeting the Renewable Fuels Standard. Energy cane has been identified as a crop with having significant potential to be developed as a biofuel feedstock crop. The greatest challenge currently facing the production of energy cane is the ability to expand production of the crop outside temperate zones. Within the six-state study area, approximately 1.15 million hectares were identified as idle cropland having the greatest potential for energy cane production. With a low seed cane expansion planting ratio and harvest through a fourth stubble crop, total energy cane production costs were estimated to be $113 per dry metric ton of feedstock. At higher planting ratios, projected total energy cane production costs were below $70 per metric ton.

AbstractPasture systems for grass-fed beef production in the Gulf Coast region were evaluated for profitability and sustainability over the period 2009/2010 to 2011/2012. May-weaned steers were divided into groups and randomly placed into different pasture systems. Data on input usage, output quantities, and carbon emissions were recorded and analyzed. The least complex grazing system yielded higher profit than the most complex, but the most complex produced the lowest greenhouse gas impact. A trade-off was found between profitability and greenhouse gas impact among the systems.

Onboard module building cotton harvesters currently offer cotton producers the potential to improve harvest efficiency and reduce harvest costs as a means of supporting cotton as an economically viable option in many farm crop rotation production systems. Using data provided by producers currently using this technology in a few southern cotton states, this study estimates current capital and operating costs of onboard module cotton pickers based on field experience and makes comparisons with the costs of using traditional basket pickers. Total per acre cotton harvest cost for the onboard module system was estimated to be approximately $26 less expensive than harvesting cotton with comparable sized basket pickers.

Onboard module building cotton harvesters currently offer cotton producers the potential to improve harvest efficiency and reduce harvest costs as a means of supporting cotton as an economically viable option in many farm crop rotation production systems. Using data provided by producers currently using this technology in a few southern cotton states, this study estimates current capital and operating costs of onboard module cotton pickers based on field experience and makes comparisons with the costs of using traditional basket pickers. Total per acre cotton harvest cost for the onboard module system was estimated to be approximately $26 less expensive than harvesting cotton with comparable sized basket pickers.

Energy cane varieties are high-fiber sugarcane clones which represent a promising feedstock in the production of alternative biofuels and biobased products. This study explored the crop establishment and whole farm production costs of growing energy cane as a biofuel feedstock in the southeastern USA. More specifically, total production costs on a feedstock dry matter biomass basis were estimated for five perennial energy cane varieties over alternative crop cycle lengths. Variable production costs for energy cane production were estimated to be in the $63 to $76 Mg −1 range of biomass dry matter for crop cycles through harvest of fourth through sixth stubble crops. Total production costs, including charges for fixed equipment costs, general farm overhead, and land rent, were estimated to range between $105 and $127 Mg −1 of feedstock biomass dry matter material.

To reach the US 2022 mandate of 136.3 billion litres of annual biofuel production, multiple sources must be integrated into the renewable biofuels supply chain. Energy cane appears well suited to help meet this mandate, particularly in Louisiana. Although not traditionally grown, production similarities to sugarcane make it an attractive option for Louisiana farmers if they are offered the ‘right price.’ If farmers are to switch hectares from sugarcane to energy cane, cellulosic ethanol processors must provide farmers an additional $2.84/MT and $3.41/MT on a third and fourth stubbling above breakeven to make the net revenue on a per tonne basis from energy cane equal to that of sugarcane. Providing farmers with the right monetary incentive is only part of the equation for ethanol processors, as they also need to determine if cellulosic ethanol from energy cane is competitive with corn ethanol. A breakeven analysis is utilized to determine the monetary incentive needed to cover the cost of production. An additional equation is used to evaluate the cost of cellulosic ethanol so that comparisons may be drawn between cellulosic costs and traditional corn ethanol costs. Our results indicate that this occurs at enzyme prices of $0.04/l (projected enzyme costs), irrespective of energy cane yields, stubbling length, and/or corn prices. Since 2007, enzyme costs for the lignocellulosic ethanol process have fallen by $0.07/l, which have increased the competitiveness of cellulosic ethanol relative to corn ethanol.

Lodging of a rice ( Oryza sativa L.) plant just before harvest can significantly impact the quality of the harvested crop yield as well as the market returns received for sale of the crop. The purpose of this study was to quantify the level and significance of lodging on the milling yield and market price of rough rice. A 2‐yr study was conducted in the major rice‐growing regions of Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas to evaluate the impact of early and late lodging before harvest. The study included two rice planting dates and a range of rice varieties predominately grown in the regions. Results suggest that lodging does have a significant impact on milling yield, although impacts of planting date and time of lodging were not significant. Lodging was found to have a greater impact on whole grain (head rice) milling yield than total grain milling yield. Head rice yield reductions of 30.19 to 55.30 g kg –1 were observed. Although market price effects will vary with the general level of average rough rice market prices in a given year, results for the 2011 and 2012 crop years showed market price reductions of .0075 to .0119 per kg, due to crop lodging impacts on milling yield alone.

Rising production costs and volatility in commodity prices have forced agricultural producers to diversify their farm acreage as a means of increasing farm profitability. A financial farm-level simulation model is constructed to examine net returns over total variable production costs per rotational acre for a representative corn, cotton, and soybean farming operation located in the Mississippi River delta region of Louisiana. Results indicate that a predominant corn followed by a corn-soybean crop mix generates the highest net returns above variable costs to the producer when harvest month futures prices are considered with respect to simulated input parameters and expected yields.

American Journal of Agricultural EconomicsVolume 95, Issue 2 p. 519-526 AAEA Meeting Invited Paper Session A Sugar Crossroad: Is Biomass an Opportunity or a Problem? Paul M. Darby, Corresponding Author Paul M. Darby [email protected] ([email protected])Search for more papers by this authorJoshua D. Detre, Joshua D. DetreSearch for more papers by this authorTyler B. Mark, Tyler B. MarkSearch for more papers by this authorMichael E. Salassi, Michael E. SalassiSearch for more papers by this author Paul M. Darby, Corresponding Author Paul M. Darby [email protected] ([email protected])Search for more papers by this authorJoshua D. Detre, Joshua D. DetreSearch for more papers by this authorTyler B. Mark, Tyler B. MarkSearch for more papers by this authorMichael E. Salassi, Michael E. SalassiSearch for more papers by this author First published: 01 January 2013 https://doi.org/10.1093/ajae/aas096 P. M. Darby ([email protected]) is a Postdoctoral Researcher, J. D. Detre is an Assistant Professor ([email protected]), and M. E. Salassi ([email protected]) is a Professor in the Department of Agricultureal Economics and Agribusiness, Louisiana State University AgCenter. T. B. Mark ([email protected]) is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Agricultural Sciences, Morehead State University. We would like to thank Drew Varnado for his comments. The views are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the aforementioned organizations. This article was presented in an invited paper session at the 2012 AAEA annual meeting in Seattle, WA. The articles in these sessions are not subjected to the journal's standard refereeing process. Read the full textAboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onEmailFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditWechat Volume95, Issue2January 2013Pages 519-526 RelatedInformation