Economic viability of energy beets (Beta vulgaris) as advanced biofuel feedstocks

Low returns and volatility in agricultural prices have led farmers to pursue new cropping opportunities, including bioenergy and bioproduct industrial sugar precursors, such as energy beets. This article assesses the economic viability of energy beet production using integrated agronomic and economic geographic information systems based techniques to estimate yields and break-even prices in North Dakota. The results show that beet yields vary throughout the state, averaging 34.4 t/ha, and are highest in the East, in the Red River Valley, where soil quality is high, moisture is plentiful and heat is sufficient. Production is also viable in the central and northern regions of the state, where soil quality and moisture are less favorable than in the Red River Valley. A smaller scale ethanol plant (75 million liters) would be able to source sufficient materials for production in many locations throughout the state for prices around $30/t.