Business : Virtual Field Day Compares Greenhouse Gas Emissions of Feedstocks for Bioenergy

Iowa Learning Farms virtual field day is scheduled for Jan. 22 at 1 p.m. Central time

AMES, Iowa – Iowa Learning Farms, in partnership with C-CHANGE: Grass2Gas, will host a virtual field day on Thursday, Jan. 22, at 1 p.m. Central time. The event, which is available at no cost, will feature a live discussion with Hyeonji Song, postdoctoral research associate in the Department of Agronomy at Iowa State University.

Grass2Gas is examining the production of renewable natural gas and related bioproducts through the anaerobic digestion of plant biomass and manure. To help determine the environmental impact of the system, the team is comparing greenhouse gas emissions produced by different plant biomass feedstocks that are being considered and utilized in bioenergy production.

“Nitrous oxide is one of the major greenhouse gases, and agriculture accounts for 50% of nitrous oxide emissions, mainly through fertilizer applications,” said Song. “Cropping system emissions of nitrous oxide is an important factor in calculating the carbon intensity of biofuels. Our core hypothesis is that adding nitrogen fertilizer to prairie to increase its biomass production as a bioenergy feedstock will not increase nitrous oxide emissions.”

Any person interested in bioenergy production systems is welcome to attend the virtual field day. Participants are also encouraged to bring any questions they would like to ask.

To participate in the live virtual field day, visit Iowa Learning Farms Field Days - Grass2Gas - Comparing Greenhouse Gas Emissions of Feedstocks for Bioenergy Production or join from a dial-in phone line (dial 646-876-9923 or 646-931-3860, with meeting ID 914 1198 4892). The field day will be recorded and archived on the ILF Virtual Field Day Archive for future viewing.

Participants may be eligible for a Certified Crop Adviser board-approved continuing education unit. Information about how to apply for and receive the CEU will be provided at the end of the event.

About Iowa Learning Farms

Established in 2004, Iowa Learning Farms is building a Culture of Conservation by encouraging adoption of conservation practices. Farmers, researchers and ILF team members are working together to identify and implement the best management practices that improve water quality and soil health while remaining profitable. Partners of Iowa Learning Farms include the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, and Iowa Department of Natural Resources, EPA Section 319 Grant Program, Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture and GROWMARK Inc.