Managing for Soil Protection and Bioenergy Production On Agricultural Lands.

Bioenergy systems are needed that can aid in meeting the growing energy demands of the expanding human population without sacrificing the long-term sustainability, productivity and quality of the underlying natural resources.  Agriculture like the forestry sector will produce the feedstocks. While there are potential benefits for using agricultural products for energy it must be balanced with management strategies to protect, soil, water and climate resources.  Ag-related feedstocks include grains, soil-seed crops (soybean and non food alternatives), crop residues, and perennial grasses.  Potentials risks and benefits vary among the feedstocks.  A discussion will be presents of management strategies with potential to minimize or avoid potential negative consequences of using agricultural lands for bioenergy production.