UAM School of Agriculture Hosts Biofuel Economics Webinar (4/25/11)

MONTICELLO, AR — Area farmers, ranchers, business and civic leaders joined faculty and students at the University of Arkansas at Monticello’s School of Agriculture last week for a nationwide webinar on the economics of biofuel.
            The webinar, entitled “Inflated Expectations, Unfulfilled Mandates, and Cost-Efficient Feedstock Systems for Cellulosic Biofuels,” was presented by the Agricultural and Applied Economics Association.  The nationwide broadcast was hosted locally by the UAM School of Agriculture and UA Southeast Research and Extension Center.  
            Dr. Francis Epplin of Oklahoma State University opened the presentation by describing current U.S. fuel usage levels in the contexts of the Gulf of Mexico oil spill and the country’s maximum capacity to provide biofuels from cellulosic sources.  Epplin outlined the ongoing Oklahoma State research efforts in switchgrass and other potential biofuel feedstocks, with emphasis on the projected costs and revenues relative to gasoline prices.  
            Dr. Cole Gustafson of North Dakota State University discussed the uses of corn plants and wheat straw feedstock as biofuel sources and provided details about existing biofuel facilities, including a planned facility expansion in North Dakota.  Both Epplin and Gustafson noted barriers in economics and policy that may hinder further development of the cellulosic biofuel industry.  
            The webinar concluded with a question-and-answer period where audience members from across the nation electronically submitted their questions to the presenters and received immediate responses.  The webinar was a pilot project effort and similar current issue seminars may be provided in the future.  Support for this webinar in addition to the AAEA Extension Section was provided by Montana State, Oklahoma State, and North Dakota State Universities.  Copies of the slide presentations and a recording of the webinar will be available in the future.  Persons who were unable to attend the activity on April 20 may receive materials and information by contacting Dr. Bob Stark, professor of agriculture economics with the UAM School of Agriculture and SEREC at (870) 460-1414 or stark@uamont.edu.