Perennial Forage Cropping System and Bioenergy Production
摘要
Plants planted specifically for their leaves and stems to be used as animal feed are known as forage crops. The protein, digestibility, and palatability of these crops are prioritized because of their importance to cattle welfare and production. In addition to providing a dependable and inexpensive supply of animal feed, forage crops also play a vital role in sustainable agriculture by enhancing soil health and decreasing erosion. When it comes to satisfying our energy needs, bioenergy is just one of many options. Biomass is a source of renewable energy that can be utilized to provide fuels for transportation, thermal energy, electrical power, and various other end products. Forage crops lignocellulose is a secondary biomass feedstock that can be converted into energy products. Switchgrass, reed canary grass, and alfalfa are the most important forage species suitable for cellulosic feedstock production. Forages can be used for bioenergy since farmers are already experienced with management practices and have the infrastructure in place from sowing to harvesting, storing, and transporting of these crops. Since forage crops are known for either biomass or fodder production purposes, they offer additional management flexibility by allowing the land to be used for agricultural rotation or other purposes. Biomass production is expected to require roughly 22.3 million hectares (ha) of arable land and agricultural pasture in 2030. Putting these areas into bioenergy production could force the conventional forage livestock sector to seek new arable land. And if bioenergy production is encouraged on farmland, it could end up competing with cattle grazing.