Behind The Lines

This month’s cover story looks at what is emerging as a new focus for farmers - growing fuel instead of food. At the centre of the story is Huron County farmer Don Nott, an energetic fellow who, at age 60, is ready to begin a new career growing crops that can be burned to produce both heat and electricity.

He’s looking forward to a new world where farmers grow fuel instead of just using it. The question: is the world ready for him?...more (Please see page 14 of our December 2006, Issue)

If the key to success is getting in at the bottom, Nott is in the right spot. According to a report prepared in 2002 by environmental management company Envirochem Services Inc., Canada produces only one per cent of its electricity with renewable sources. Nearly two thirds is produced by hydroelectric power. Coal produces 18 per cent and nuclear 13 per cent, with the rest coming from natural gas and oil.

The United States produces fully half of its electricity with coal and, like Canada, only one per cent of its power comes from renewable sources. Both Mexico and the 15 nations of the European Union are a little better. They get three per cent of their power from renewable sources.

The use of biofuels is still highly theoretical. In theory, a crop such as switchgrass collects energy from the sun and, through scientific processes, is turned back into heat and energy. REAP Canada estimates that 9.5 million hectares of land could be turned over to biofuel production in Canada, producing 55.8 million tonnes of biofuels and more than a billion gigajoules of energy.

On a more traditional cropping note, if you can figure out what caused one of Jack’s corn silage hybrids to goose neck you could win a wireless weather station...more (please see article on page 28 of our December Issue)

Then, if you think you have the answer, send your solution to: editor@betterfarming.com. One name will be drawn from all correct answers and that reader will win the weather station along with all bragging rights.

The correct answer, along with the reasoning followed to reach it, will appear in the next “Crop Scene Investigation Solution.” BF

ROBERT IRWIN & DON STONEMAN