1. Feasibility of Growing Miscanthus in Minnesota – RD - 27 Linda Meschke, Rural Advantage, Project Director July 13, 2010

2. Background Information  Miscanthus x giganteus  Perennial  12 to 14 feet tall  Yields 14–20 Tons per Acre  Sterile Seed  Produces Rhizomes  Pest Resistance  Not Invasive  Native to Asia Loren Forrest, Luverne, MN Miscanthus Grower/ Project Partner

3. Highlights  Established about 10 acres of miscanthus  Yes, it can survive winter  Needs protection first year  Yield = ~ 12 ton/acre  Transplants established faster than rhizomes  Issues with slag when gasified  Btu’s = ~ 7,500  Ash = 11.84 % [EERC] Fall Miscanthus Field Day -- [showing first years growth]

4. Lessons Learned  Difficult to collect the rhizomes for commercial scale plantings  Planter Development  5 foot spacing allows for growth and maintenance  Needs winter protection the first year [mulch]  How to do this at a commercial scale  Spring harvest increases plant vitality

5. Lessons Learned [continued]  Genetic improvement could improve winter survival  Transplant availability at a commercial scale???  Could economically compete with corn  Need to better understand the most efficient method for conversion to biofuel or bioproducts Photos: U of IL-Urbana-Champaign & Emily Heaton

6. Benefits Gained  Could be a viable dedicated energy crop for Minnesota  Yield, Yield, Yield  Less inputs compared to corn  Can be managed in a “corn mindset”  Positive environmental footprint