Key barriers and issues to the extensive deployment of short-rotation plantation and agroforestry energy systems in Canada

Component leader

• Alex Mosseler, Research Scientist, Canadian Forest Service, Atlantic Forestry Centre

Team members

• Michel Labrecque, Curator, Montreal Botanical Garden
• Bill Schroeder, Scientist, Agroforestry Development Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Indian Head, Saskatchewan

Objectives

Characterize the growth performance and site tolerance of seven of the most promising native willow species in order to select and distribute superior willow clones for biomass production in bio-energy plantation systems and for various ecological restoration purposes.

Main results

The natural range of seven native willow species was surveyed across eastern and central Canada to locate and sample natural populations for the establishment of common garden studies. A series of field tests were established on mine sites and at waste management facilities for ecological restoration and water quality improvement. A series of field tests were established in the proximity of blueberry fields in the Acadian Peninsula to test willows for improved pollinator management. Several field tests were harvested and preliminary assessments of biomass yield and quality traits were completed. Superior clones were selected from five of the seven willows tested. These clones were distributed to interested agencies for further operational testing across Canada.

Work in progress

Work continues on testing of seven native willows for habitat restoration and erosion control in mine sites in New Brunswick and agricultural sites in Prince Edward Island and Saskatchewan; for water quality improvement at waste management facilities in New Brunswick; for biomass yields for energy production in Quebec and Nova Scotia; and for pollinator management associated with blueberry production in the Acadian Peninsula in New Brunswick. In 2011, further field tests will be established for the restoration of mine sites in Ontario and rehabilitation of oil sand sites in Alberta.

Collaborators

• Jardin botanique de Montréal/Montreal Botanical Garden
• Institut de recherche en biologie végétale, Montréal, Quebec
• Roy Consultants Ltd. (Engineering Services), Bathurst, New Brunswick
• Redpine Landfill, Bathurst, New Brunswick
• Department of Agriculture and Aquaculture, Tracadie, New Brunswick
• Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island
• Northern Pulp and Paper Ltd., Debert, Nova Scotia
• Agroforestry Development Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Indian Head, Saskatchewan
• CanmetENERGY, Natural Resources Canada, Ottawa, Ontario

Selected publications

Mosseler, A. 1990. Hybrid performance and crossability relationships in willows (Salix L.). Can. J. Bot. 68:2329-2338.

Mosseler, A. 1989. Interspecific pollen–pistil incongruity in Salix. Can. J. For. Res. 19:1161-1168.

Mosseler, A.; Zsuffa, L.; Stoehr, M.U.; Kenney, W.A. 1988. Variation in biomass production, moisture content, and specific gravity in some North American willows (Salix L.). Can. J. For. Res. 18:1535-1540.

For more information, please contact the component leader:

• Alex Mosseler, Research scientist, Canadian Forest Service, Atlantic Forestry Centre, Fredericton, New Brunswick

Establishment of a field test at Montreal Botanical Gardens aimed at assessing population genetic variation within and among five native willow species.

Second growing season following establishment of a field test aimed at assessing clonal and species performance of seven native willow species for restoration of eroding riparian zones on coal mine sites in New Brunswick.

Two-year-old stems arising from the spreading, lateral root system from Salix interior cuttings established along a stream bank for erosion control on an abandoned coal mine site.

Component leader

• Michel Labrecque, principal investigator, scientific researcher, Jardin botanique de Montréal

Members

• Traian Ion Teodorescu, Project Leader
• Jacques Brodeur, Professor
• Frédéric Pitre, Post-doctoral research fellow
• Werther Guidi, Post-doctoral research fellow
• Rémy Fluet, M.Sc. student
• Aurélien Lauron-Moreau, Ph.D. student
• Stéphane Daigle, Statistician

Objectives

The main purpose of our research is to increase knowledge of short-rotation intensive culture (SRIC) of willows by studying short- and long-term impacts of site characteristics, cultural practices and species/clones used.

More specifically, we aim to:

1. Monitor and study the growth and yield of various willow clones cultivated in SRIC according to different cultivation systems: large-scale and highly mechanized operations and medium-sized, pesticide-free, low-maintenance operations.
2. Test the performance of selected willow clones (exotic or indigenous species) in southern and northern regions of Quebec and identify those that perform the best.
3. Identify the insects and diseases affecting the plantations and determine possible suppression methods.
4. Monitor growth performance in the oldest willow plantations established in Canada in 1995, in the Huntingdon area, in order to assess the long-term re-sprouting capacity of willows (after four coppicing cycles or more) and the ability of SRIC to remain economically viable after several years (15 to 20 years or more).

Main results

• Currently, three clones originally selected by the Institut de recherche en biologie végétale (IRBV) are widely planted in Quebec, for a total of approximately 200 ha distributed across the province. The mean productivity of these clones planted at a commercial scale varies from 12 to 15 dt/ha/year.
• A number of additional clones are being tested in order to identify new productive and insect resistant varieties. Among the most promising ones, two varieties (Canastota and Tully Champion) created at Cornell University have reached 18 dt/ha/year at the end of the first rotation.
• To select new clones suitable for northern regions (hardiness zones 2 and 3), an additional 20 clones (6 from Sweden and 14 selected from a collection owned by IRBV) are currently being tested in Abitibi (hardiness zone 2A) and being compared with results obtained in Boisbriand (hardiness zone 5A). Preliminary results show that the clones planted in the north present good frost and insect resistance. However, their growth performance was considerably lower than that of the same clones planted in Boisbriand. Swedish clones (Bjorn, Olof, Tora, Sven) and S. miyabeana (SX67) showed the best results at the two sites.
• Pest monitoring made it possible to identify the most common insects present on the clones used in the plantations. Clones of complete or partial S. viminalis origin are the most sensitive to the potato leafhopper (Empoasca fabae). The commercial clones planted in Quebec (S. miyabeana and S. sachalinensis) are more resistant to this pest, but they are slightly sensitive to willow shoot sawfly (Janus abbreviatus) and willow aphids (Tuberolachnus salignus). Generally, pesticides should not be used to control insects unless the attack becomes very important (rarely).
• Two willow plantations established in the region of Huntingdon, Quebec, have been scientifically monitored for 16 years (1995 to 2011). A plantation of S. viminalis cultivated on a clayey site is currently in its fifth rotation and still produces high biomass yield. The same results are obtained on another site planted in 1999 involving a dozen of willow clones. These results show that cultivation of willows in SRIC makes it possible to maintain high biomass yield and re-sprouting ability for several coppicing cycles over time.

Work in progress

• Testing the selected willow clones in southern and northern regions of Quebec in order to identify those that seem to perform the best. We are also working on identifying clones that are resistant to frost (Boisbriand and Abitibi).
• Monitoring two commercial willow plantations (in Boisbriand and Saint-Roch-de-l’Achigan) characterized by different farming methods by comparing growth performance and yield, and characterizing the most common insects.
• Monitoring the oldest plantations in Canada to determine their long-term (16 to 20 years) performance (Huntingdon region).

Selected publications

Scientific papers

Fillion, M.; Brisson, J.; Guidi, W.; Labrecque, M. 2011. Increasing phosphorus removal in willow and poplar vegetation filters using arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi. Ecol. Eng. 37:199-205.

Guidi, W.; M. Labrecque. 2010. Effects of high water supply on growth, water use, and nutrient allocation in willow and poplar grown in a 1-year pot trial. Water Air Soil Pollut. 207:85-101.

Fillion, M.; Brisson, J.; Teodorescu, T.I.;Sauvé, S.; Labrecque, M.. 2009. Performance of Salix viminalis and Populus nigra x Populus maximowiczii in short rotation intensive culture under high irrigation. Biomass Bioenergy 33:1271-1277.

Grislis, K.; Labrecque, M. 2009. Proliferating willow for biomass. Silvic. Mag. Summer 2009:12-15.

Kuzovkina, Y.A.; Weih, M.; Abalos Romero, M.; Charles, J.; Hust, S.; McIvor, I.; Karp, A.;  Trybush, S.; Labrecque, M.; Teodorescu, T.I.; Singh, N.B.; Smart, L.B.; Volk, T.A. 2008. Salix: botany and global horticulture. Hortic. Rev. 34:447-489.

Labrecque, M.; Teodorescu, T.I. 2005. Field performance and biomass production of 12 willow and poplar clones in short-rotation coppice in southern Quebec (Canada). Biomass Bioenergy 29: 1-9.

Labrecque, M.; Teodorescu, T.I. 2003. High biomass yield achieved by Salix clones in SRIC following two 3-year coppice rotations on abandoned farmland in southern Quebec, Canada. Biomass Bioenergy 25:135-146.

Technical reports

Labrecque, M. (Sous la direction de). 2010. Production à grande échelle de saule en courtes rotations : croissance, rendements, bio-contrôle d’insectes et sélection de clones. Rapport final 2009-2010 présenté au Programme de recherche et de développement énergétiques (PRDE). 40 p.

Cavanagh, A.; Labrecque, M.; Beauregard, S.; Gasser, M.O.. 2010. Valorisation de lisier de porc dans la production de saules selon une culture intensive en courte rotation (Projet 6285). Présenté au Conseil pour le développement de l’agriculture du Québec. 47 p.

Labrecque, M. (Sous la direction de). 2009. Quantification et durabilité du rendement de plantations de saule en culture intensive sur courtes rotations (CICR) après plusieurs rotations. Rapport final 2008-2009 présenté au Programme de recherche et de développement énergétiques (PRDE). 36 p.

Doyon, J.; Brodeur, J.; Boivin, P.; Labrecque, M. 2009. Lutte aux insectes ravageurs associés à trois clones de saule en culture intensive sur deux plantations situées en Montérégie. Présenté au ministère des Ressources naturelles et de la Faune du Québec, Programme de mise en valeur des ressources du milieu forestier Volet II, projet 16-2008-04. 41 p.

Labrecque, M. (Sous la direction de). 2008. Quantification et maintien des rendements de plantations de saule en culture intensive sur courtes rotations dans diverses régions du Québec. Culture intensive sur courtes rotations de saules en courtes rotations dans l’est du Canada. Rapport combiné de fin d’étape 2007-2008. 86 p.

Labrecque, M. (Sous la direction de). 2007. Quantification et maintien des rendements de plantations de saule en culture intensive sur courtes rotations dans diverses régions du Québec. Culture intensive sur courtes rotations de saules en courtes rotations dans l’est du Canada. Rapport combiné de fin d’étape 2005-2006. 63 p.

Labrecque, M.; Voicu, A.; Daigle, S.; Bissonnette, L. 2007. Phytorestauration de brownfields par l’utilisation de saules et de peupliers : le cas de l’Allée des Tanneries. Présenté au Fonds municipal vert (FMV) de la Fédération canadienne des municipalités. 50 p.

Thériault, U.; Labrecque, M.; Teodorescu, T.I.. 2007. Le saule : une solution environnementale, écologique et durable pour le Bas-Saint-Laurent. Rapport technique. 22 p. + 11 p.

Collaborators

• Robert Langlois, Manager, CERVEAU, Ville de Boisbriand
• Francis Allard, President, Agro Énergie, Saint-Roch-de-l’Achigan
• Alice Chagnon, Project Leader, La cellule de développement du secteur des Côteaux, Champneuf, Abitibi
• Philippe Quinn, Owner, Willow Shade Farm, Huntingdon
• Rolland Guillon, Owner, Domaine de la Templerie, Huntingdon

For more information, please contact the component leader:

• Michel Labrecque, principal investigator, scientific researcher, Institut de recherche en biologie végétale
  4101 Sherbrooke East, Montréal, QC, H1X 2B2
  Website: http://www.irbv.umontreal.ca/labrecque.htm

Willows (Salix miyabeana SX64) photographed in November 2010 on the CERVEAU (Centre expérimental de recherches sur les végétaux pour l'environnement et l'aménagement) site in Boisbriand, Quebec, where 10 hectares are dedicated to willow culture.

In Abitibi, in the des Côteaux sector, several dozen hectares have been planted over the past two years. The climatic conditions and very clayey soils represent an important challenge for willow culture, which nevertheless appears to be doing well, as shown by these Salix sacchalinensis (SX61) at the start of their second growing season.

The inventory of insect pests and identification of potential predators is part of our study. Here, Josée Doyon is using a beating technique to sample insects present in a willow plantation in Saint-Roch-de-l’Achigan (Agro Énergie), Québec.

Component leader

• Derek Sidders,coordinator, Natural Resources Canada, Canadian Wood Fibre Centre (Edmonton)

Members

• Derek Sidders, Regional Coordinator, Canadian Forest Service, Canadian Wood Fibre Centre
• Tim Keddy, Short-rotation Woody Crop Practices Specialist, Canadian Forest Service, Canadian Wood Fibre Centre
• Brent Joss, Fibre Bio-geoinformatics Analyst, Canadian Forest Service, Canadian Wood Fibre Centre
• Barbara Kischuk, Soil and Sustainability Research Scientist, Canadian Forest Service – Northern Forestry Centre
• Jagtar Bhatti, Carbon Budget Research Scientist, Canadian Forest Service – Northern Forestry Centre

Objectives

To address key application barriers to the extensive deployment of SWRC practices, including: 1) verification of system biomass yield trajectories and carbon capture under various site and management intensities across Canada; 2) clonal genotyping to characterize attributes and establish a certification system for precision identification of all willows and hybrid poplars deployed; 3) consolidation, in an integrated tool, of input costs and output values associated with the full supply-chain for each SRWC system; and 4) creation of a decision tool for site sustainability from a fertility and water-use perspective.

Main results

• Output 1 - Validate yield opportunities by SRWC system, species and clone, site type and location across Canada.
  • Completed physical measurements of the selected plantations under different systems distributed across the national network of sites (25% completed).
• Output 2 - Create a guide to the sustainability of intensively managed SRWC systems for specific sites and age classes for water use and fertility.
  • Initiated soil fertility and water use data collection on 6 selected technical development sites across Canada that represent realistic SRWC opportunities.
• Output 3 - Assess input costs and output values of developed and developing SRWC systems for the creation of a comprehensive Biomass Value Simulator.
  • Identified SRWC practices in Canada and the associated supply-chain cost variables required to produce a final bioenergy product. Currently populating the database and linking it to the Biomass Value Simulator prototype.
  • Development of a Biomass Value Simulator prototype. Prototype completed as of March 2011.
• Output 4 - Develop a genetic certification system for clone identification of SRWC willow and hybrid poplar.
  • Established an agreement with a University of Alberta research geneticist to produce a willow snip chip technology to characterize willow species active in plantation production systems across Canada.

Work in progress

• Output 1 - Validate yield opportunities by SRWC system, species and clone, site type and location across Canada.
  • Physical measurements of sites sampled are progressively being data-entered, analyzed and uploaded to the national network of sites information system.
  • Continued carbon soil respiration clam and probe instrument monitoring of 6 technical development sites and 3 management regimes to establish national data for carbon trajectory model (Alberta, Manitoba and Ontario).
• Output 2 - Create a guide to the sustainability of intensively managed SRWC systems for specific sites and age classes for water use and fertility.
  • Fertility and water use analysis will be continued in 2011 on 6 selected technical development sites across Canada that represent realistic diversity in SRWC opportunities.
  • Activities supporting the development of a report and field guide on the sustainability of SRWC systems based on soil nutrient and water availability and use have been initiated. Publication to be completed by March 31, 2012.
• Output 3 - Assess input costs and output values of developed and developing SRWC systems for the creation of a comprehensive Biomass Value Simulator.
  • Continued collection and compilation of national SRWC practices into a comprehensive database including supply-chain variables and costs to a final bioenergy product.
  • The Biomass Value Simulator will be refined and improved to incorporate additional end-product options, allowing users to develop and assess an array of value proposition scenarios related to SRWC systems. The Biomass Value Simulator will be made available via FPInnovations’ FPSuite.
• Output 4 - Develop a genetic certification system for clone identification of SRWC willow and hybrid poplar.
  • Field sampling of selected willow and hybrid poplar clone specimens from controlled technical development sites across Canada will be conducted in 2011. This information will be added to the genetic database being created by the University of Alberta and partners. A genetic marker chip will be the main result of this genetic characterization/certification system.

Selected publications

Dominy, S.W.J.; Gilsenan, R.; McKenney, D.W.; Allen, D.J.; Hatton, T.; Koven, A.; Cary, J.; Yemshanov, D.; Sidders, D. 2010. A retrospective and lessons learned from Natural Resources Canada’s Forest 2020 afforestation initiative. For. Chron. 86:339-347.

Arevalo, C.B.M., J.S. Bhatti, S.X. Chang, and D. Sidders. 2010. Distribution of recent photosynthates in saplings of two hybrid poplar clones. Commun. Soil Sci. Plant Anal. 41:1004-1015.

Arevalo, C.B.M.; Bhatti, J.S.; Chang, S.X.; Jassal, R.S.; Sidders, D. 2010. Soil respiration in four different land use systems in north central Alberta, Canada. J. Geophys. Res. 115:G01003.

Clinch, R.L.; Thevathasan, N.V.; Gordon, A.M.; Volk, T.A.; Sidders, D. 2009. Biophysical interactions in a short rotation willow intercropping system in southern Ontario, Canada. Agric. Ecosyst. Environ. 31:61-69.

Joss, B.N., R.J. Hall, D.M. Sidders, and T.J. Keddy. 2008. Fuzzy-logic modeling of land suitability for hybrid poplar across the Prairie Provinces of Canada. Environ. Monit. Assess. 141:79-96.

Natural Resources Canada. 2003. Afforestation Facts for the Prairie Provinces. Canadian Forest Service, Northern Forestry Centre, Edmonton, AB.

Sidders, D.; Keddy, T.. 2003. Afforestation Guidelines for the Prairie Provinces. Canadian Forest Service, Northern Forestry Centre, Edmonton, AB.

Collaborators

• Manitoba Conservation
• Poplar Council of Canada (Alberta)
• Innovates – Bio Solutions
• TreeLogic
• Mundsee–Delaware Nation
• Six Nations Secretariat
• University of Guelph
• University of Alberta
• University of Saskatchewan
• University of Toronto
• Alberta–Pacific Forest Industries
• Daishowa–Marubeni International
• L.A. Quality Products
• Forets d’Avenir JM Inc.
• Kemptville Forest Centre
• City of Prince George
• State University of New York
• FPInnovations

Name of contact person:

• Brent Joss, GIS Analyst, Natural Resources Canada, Canadian Wood Fibre Centre

Measuring trees and validating SRWC yield opportunities (2010)

Collecting environmental data to assess the sustainability of SRWC systems and monitor carbon flux (2010)

Measuring trees and validating SRWC yield opportunities (2010)

Automated soil carbon respiration measuring and monitoring clam (2010)

Component co-leaders

• Bill Schroeder, Senior Research Advisor, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Agroforerstry Development Centre, Indian Head, Saskatchewan
• Henry de Gooijer, A/Manager, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Agroforerstry Development Centre, Indian Head, Saskatchewan

Members

• Bill Schroeder, Senior Research Advisor
• Henry de Gooijer, A/Manager, Agroforestry Research and Development
• Dr. Jaconette Mirck, visiting post-doctoral fellow

Objectives

To provide knowledge on 1) the opportunity for systematic biomass harvesting in willow and poplar riparian buffers for conversion into bioenergy; 2) attendant environmental consequences resulting from this harvest, particularly in relation to carbon sequestration as well as the capture and export of nutrients from sedimentation and sub-surface run-off into riparian zones; and 3) barriers to the adoption of agroforestry riparian buffer practices and riparian buffer harvesting, and the potential importance of the adoption of these practices based on landscape, agronomic and policy constraints.

Main results

The project analyzed harvest yield from poplar (Saskatchewan) and willow (Prince Edward Island) riparian buffers. Willow biomass yield in Prince Edward Island riparian buffers ranged from 38 to 48 odt/ha/yr whereas poplar harvested after 5 years yielded 22 odt/km of buffer.

The project was used to develop a new agricultural Beneficial Management Practice (BMP) that serves the dual purpose of riparian protection while also providing a significant amount of technically available feedstock for bioenergy production with no land conversion from agricultural production. The co-management of willow riparian buffers for water quality protection and biomass production has proven to be an effective strategy facilitating effective nutrient removal from the site while producing large quantities of biomass. The project demonstrated that very high willow biomass yield is attainable at a low cost on nutrient-rich riparian sites. High biomass accumulation leads to higher nitrogen and phosphorus accumulation in above- and belowground portions of willows. At the project site, willows accumulated 160 kg/ha/yr of nitrogen and nearly 70 kg/ha/yr of phosphorus.

Work in progress

Quantify the impact of biomass harvesting in riparian buffers on the environmental functions of these practices.

Provide knowledge products to help better understand the barriers to the adoption of riparian buffer agroforestry practices intended for biomass harvesting and renewable energy.

Collaborators

• Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Agri-Environment Services Branch
  - Salim Silim (Ottawa, Ontario)
  - Chris Pharo & Brian Murray (Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island)
• Prince Edward Island Soil and Crop Improvement Association
  - Tyler Wright (Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island)

Name of contact person:

Bill Schroeder, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Agri-Environment Services Branch, Indian Head (Saskatchewan)

First year re-growth following biomass harvest from willow riparian buffer.

Three-year-old willow riparian buffer.

Component leader

• Philippe Savoie, Ph.D., Eng., Agr., scientist, harvest and storage of forage biomass, Agriculture and Agro-Food Canada

Members

• Pierre Luc Hébert, Graduate Student (master’s in agricultural engineering), Université Laval
• François-Simon Robert, Graduate Student (master’s in soils and environment), Université Laval
• Marc-Antoine Robert, Research Assistant
• René Morissette, Research Engineer
• Joey Villeneuve, Research Engineer

Objectives

This sub-project has for general objective to improve methodologies related to biomass, from the period prior to harvest all the way to plant delivery. Our five specific objectives are 1) to create a database with physical characteristics of woody crops prior to harvest; 2) to describe and validate a methodology to estimate biomass recovery and loss during harvest; 3) to describe and validate a methodology to measure dry matter loss and moisture change during storage of biomass; 4) to describe and validate a methodology to measure energy requirement and dry matter loss during mechanical size reduction of biomass by chipping, grinding and other mechanisms; and 5) to describe and validate a methodology to measure particle size distribution of biomass by mechanical sieving and image analysis.

Main results

Recent work involved grinding willow bales that had been stored outside for 6 or 12 months (objective 4). A total of 120 bales averaging 175 kg dry matter (DM), 1.2 m in width and 1.35 m in diameter were mulched with a Haybuster Model H1130 tub grinder in September 2010 in Godmanchester, Québec. The 6-month bales had an average moisture content (MC) of 25.7%; the 12-month bales averaged 34.8% MC. At harvest, moisture ranged from 46% in September 2009 to 47% in March 2010. Natural drying of bales probably ceased after a few months of outside storage, when the bales became in equilibrium with humidity in the environment. The grinder used two screens, and three sets of screens were compared: 1 and 1.5 inch ("), 2 and 3", and 4 and 5". Average grinding time was 71 s/bale with fine screens, 57 s/bale with medium screens, and 49 s/bale with coarse screens. This implied an increasing capacity on a dry matter (DM) basis of 8.8 t DM/h with fine screens, 11.3 t DM/h with medium screens, and 12.9 t DM/h with coarse screens. Diesel fuel consumption by the tractor was 7.79 L/t DM with fine screens, 4.51 L/t DM with medium screens, and 3.74 L/t DM with coarse screens. With fine screens, 50% of wood chips were shorter than 13 mm and 90% were shorter than 35 mm. With medium screens, these lengths were 44 and 90 mm, respectively; with coarse screens, they were 52 and 95 mm. Bulk density of chips averaged 93 kg DM/m³ (138 kg wet matter/m³). The tub grinder made it possible to mulch the willow bales so that biomass could be handled in bulk. The quality of the chips should be assessed as a function of their end use, which can include various applications such as animal bedding, mulching, fuel for furnaces, and industrial fibre.

Work in progress

A database is being assembled to correlate willow diameter at breast height with stem mass. This will make it possible to estimate yield prior to harvest by non-destructive means, i.e. by measuring stem diameter with callipers and counting a sample number over a given area. A 1-year study is underway to assess moisture evaporation and dry matter loss of willow bales and willow chips during storage. Several sieving methods are being compared to assess wood chip length, width and thickness.

Selected publications

Savoie, P.; Gagnon-Bouchard, M. 2011. High-speed processing of woody stems with a flail hammer shredder. Appl. Eng. Agric. 27:5-12.

Savoie, P.; Lavoie, F.; D’Amours, L.; Schroeder, W.; Kort, J. 2010. Harvesting natural willow rings with a bio-baler around Saskatchewan prairie marshes. Can. Biosyst. Eng. 52:2.1-2.5.

Savoie, P.; Lavoie, F.; D’Amours, L. 2009. Development of two headers for a versatile woody brush harvester-baler. Appl. Eng. Agric. 25:811-817.

Schroeder, W.; Kort, J.; Savoie, P.; Preto, F. 2009. Biomass harvest from natural willow rings around Prairie wetlands. BioEnergy Res. 2:99-105.

Collaborators

• Anderson Group, Chesterville, Quebec
• Agro Énergie, Saint-Roch-de-l’Achigan, Quebec
• Great Lakes Forestry Centre, CFS, Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario

For more information, please contact the component leader:

• Philippe Savoie, Ph.D., Eng., Agr., scientist, harvest and storage of forage biomass, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

Willow bales harvested in plantations and mulched with a tub grinder. The end product can be used for bedding, mulch, biomass boiler or industrial fibre.

Willow bales are weighed on a platform scale to assess moisture and dry matter changes.

Fuel consumption is measured after grinding each batch of willow bales.

Sample of willow chips after grinding with 1 and 1 ½” screens.

Component leader

• Denys Yemshanov, Research Scientist, Quantitative Spatial Modeling, Natural Resources Canada, Canadian Forest Service, Great Lakes Forestry Centre, Sault Ste. Marie (Ontario)

Members

• Denys Yemshanov, Research Scientist, Quantitative Spatial Modeler
• Dan McKenney, Chief, Landscape Analysis and Applications
• Darren Allen, Forestry Specialist, Biomass and Bioproducts
• Marty Siltanen, Land Classification Technician
• Saul Fraleigh, Biomass Project Technician

Objectives

The objectives are 1) to provide an integrated (i.e. biophysical and economic) assessment of potential biomass-for-energy supply from fast-growing woody crops established on agricultural lands across Canada; 2) to identify and better quantify direct financial costs of biomass production for energy systems; 3) to incorporate the most recent biophysical yield and silvicultural cost estimates into analyses; and 4) to incorporate real option financial calculus into national models to better assess the national adoption potential and barriers to biomass projects.

Main results

Most existing life-cycle analyses of biomass projects ignore the important indirect economic effects on non-target parts of the agricultural and forestry sectors. The project uses thorough analysis of land-use change dynamics in an agriculture–forest interface in relation to key economic and biophysical drivers to better estimate the amount and location of land-use change expected under different scenarios of biomass feedstock production.

Work in progress

Work is in progress to provide estimates and time projections of biomass supply costs and associated project adoption rates on agricultural lands in Canada. This information will be used to support a biomass-based industry that requires a large ongoing supply of relatively inexpensive feedstock with a low life-cycle environmental footprint.

Selected publications

McKenney, D.W.; Yemshanov, D.; Fraleigh, S.; Allen, D.; Preto, F. 2011. An economic assessment of the use of short-rotation coppice woody biomass to heat greenhouses in southern Canada. Biomass Bioenergy 35:374-384.

Ramlal, E.; Yemshanov, D.; Fox, G.; McKenney, D. 2009. A bioeconomic model of afforestation in Southern Ontario: Integration of fiber, carbon and municipal biosolids values. J. Environ. Manag. 90:1833-1843.

Yemshanov, D.; McKenney, D. 2008. Fast-growing poplar plantations as a bioenergy supply source for Canada. Biomass Bioenergy 32:185-197.

Yemshanov D.; McKenney, D.; Fraleigh, S.; D'Eon, S. 2007. An integrated spatial assessment of the investment potential of three species in southern Ontario, Canada inclusive of carbon benefits. For. Policy Econ. 10:48-59.

McKenney, D.W.; Yemshanov, D.; Fox, G.; Ramlal, E. 2006. Using bioeconomic models to assess research priorities: a case study on afforestation as a carbon sequestration tool. Can. J. For. Res. 36:886-900.

Yemshanov D.; McKenney, D.W.; Hatton, T.; Fox, G. 2005. Investment attractiveness of afforestation in Canada inclusive of carbon sequestration benefits. Can. J. Agric. Econ. 53:307-323.

McKenney, D.W.; Yemshanov, D.; Fox, G.; Ramlal, E. 2004. Cost estimates for carbon sequestration from fast growing poplar plantations in Canada. For. Policy Econ. 6:345-358.

Collaborators

• University of Alberta, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, and several other federal government and private sector partners who have provided data and insights on woody crop plantations

For more information, please contact the component leader:

Denys Yemshanov, Research Scientist, Quantitative Spatial Modeling, Natural Resources Canada, Canadian Forest Service, Great Lakes Forestry Centre, Sault Ste. Marie (Ontario)

Component leader

• Sylvain Masse, Analyst, Forest Economics, Natural Resources Canada, Canadian Forest Service, Laurentian Forestry Centre, Québec (Québec)

Members

• Pierre P. Marchand, Research Officer, Social Sciences
• Jennifer Ardiel, Policy Analyst
• Jeanne Guilleminot, Graduate Trainee, University of Guelph
• Claude Delisle, Research Officer

Objective

To identify, clarify and prioritize key development and application issues for the large-scale deployment of the four short-rotation plantation and agroforestry systems under development in the project.

Main results

A study examined the policies, laws, regulations and incentive programs influencing adoption of the systems on privately owned land in Quebec. For each of the four systems, several adoption issues were identified. A technical report was published in 2007 in French and English.

Through focus group sessions, a study examined how the four systems under development were perceived by 80 landowners in Quebec and the three Prairie provinces. Perceived benefits and drawbacks associated with the systems were identified. The intention to implement one of the systems in the short term was measured. The results obtained made it possible to prepare a list of 47 technical, financial, legal, environmental and other issues related to the development and application of the systems. A technical report was published in 2008 in French and English.

Work in progress

A survey of 125 experts was conducted in 2010 on the issues identified in the focus group study in order to:

1. Clarify the perceived issues if necessary;
2. For each of the four systems, evaluate the relevance of addressing the issues in the short term (0-5 years);
3. Evaluate if the relevance of addressing the issues will change over the medium term (5-10 years);
4. Identify other relevant issues;
5. Formulate recommendations for the benefit of various stakeholders.

It is the first attempt to assess with experts the relevance of addressing development and application issues perceived by landowners for short-rotation afforestation and agroforestry systems in the Canadian context. A journal article will be produced in 2011.

An analysis of incentives for short-rotation woody crop (SRWC) systems in Europe and the USA was initiated in 2010. Governmental approaches that can have an impact on both the demand for and supply of SRWC biomass are examined for a sample of countries and states. The objective is to identify incentive measures, evaluate their impact, and make recommendations to Canadian policy makers and program managers.

In 2011-2012, a new study will be conducted to forecast the large-scale deployment of SRWC systems of concentrated willow or hybrid poplar in Canada for bioenergy generation and other uses. More specifically, the medium- (5 to 10 years) and long-term deployment of the systems and the main factors that will influence this deployment will be assessed. The Delphi method – a systematic, interactive, forecasting method that relies on a panel of experts – will be used to this end.

Selected publications

Marchand, P.P.; Masse, S. 2007. Short-rotation afforestion and agroforestry on Quebec private land: review of laws, regulations, policies, and programs. Natural Resources Canada, Canadian Forest Service, Laurentian Forestry Centre, Information Report LAU-X-130E. 98 p.

Marchand, P.P.; Masse, S. 2008. Issues related to the development and implementation of afforestation and agroforestry technologies for bioenergy biomass production: results of focus group sessions in Quebec and the Prairie provinces. Natural Resources Canada, Canadian Forest Service, Laurentian Forestry Centre, Information Report LAU-X-135E. 96 p.

Collaborators

• Besides the project members, 80 Canadian landowners and 125 experts from several types of organizations participated in the focus group sessions and expert surveys, respectively.

For more information, please contact the component leader:

• Sylvain Masse, Analyst, Forest Economics, Natural Resources Canada, Canadian Forest Service, Laurentian Forestry Centre, Québec (Québec)