Overview: Switchgrass in New Hampshire -

I am starting a Pilot Project (first in NH that I know of) to grow two acres of 'Cave-In-Rock' Switchgrass as a Biomass product for creating fuel pellets. I expect to yield 6-8 tons on my two acres. Switchgrass is harvested after first frost and is cut and baled like hay and is processed in a pellet mill to produce pellets that can be burned in a pellet stove for heat. It is estimated that pelletized Switchgrass could yield as much as a 14:1 energy out/in ratio, as it is a naturally growing perrenial prairie grass that once covered the entire western prairie states and requires no pesticides, fertilizers, or irrigation. I hope to start a Co-Op of Switchgrass growers in my local area to share the cost of a commercial pellet mill so we can do our own pelletizing locally.

Methodology: Soil Prep and Seeding - Project started May 2008 -

Soil was tested at pH 6.8 which is ideal. Fields were roto tilled three times then the soil was compressed using a steel roller. 34 lbs of seed were ordered from Ernst Conservation Seeds with a germination rate of 66% and half was used, remainder for fill in and backup. Seeds were broadcast using a hand crank grass seed spreader (easy enough for just two acres), an automatic spreader is required for larger fields. Soil was rolled again to ensure good seed to soil contact. Soil prep and planting methods were followed according to recommendations by the University of Iowa Switchgrass Seeding Document. First season growth is not cut but allowed to over winter. Second season growth will be cut for biomass content in October 2009. Switchgrass provides good cover for small animals and game birds. Close observation will determine if it provides forrage for deer. If it does, perhaps they will leave the vegetable garden alone. Updates and field reports will be forthcoming. I want to make it clear that I have no background or experience in Agriculture or Farming, so if I can do this, anyone can.

Progress:

Seeding was done three weeks ago, it is now May 30th and not a drop of rain. There is virtually not a single sprout or blade of Switchgrass coming up so the seed is either lying dormant or not germinating due to drought conditions and I have possibly just provided a $170 gourmet meal for our fine feathered friends. Some rain due tomorrow (1/4 inch, not enough) but we'll see. More drought conditions for the next week. These are the chances one takes with planting a 'crop'.

Mid June now and we've had over an inch of rain and a few mid 80 degree days in a row and there is some (1%) germination and new shoots appearing over the western third of the plot with some 6" growth. The eastern third required recompacting and some reseeding, waiting for results.

First of July, we had 5.5" rain in June and only a few days in the 80s. I redid a broadcast spread of another 6 pounds of seed two weeks ago and there are only the initial two patches of seedlings. Now the field is being overtaken with crabgrass. The eastern 3/4 acre field is still bare dirt - no weeds and no seedlings at all. I am disappointed and frustrated, but after talking to the folks at Ernst Conservation Seeds, they keep saying just be patient it will grow. They also said it is now too late to replant as the seedlings won't get big enough to survive the winter, so I'm stuck with what I have until late next spring. I have about 9 lbs of seed left that I can put down if I need to next year.

Mid October and growing season is over. I'd say 1/3 of what was planted has come up, even the bare field with the Wind Turbine has growth. I still have to contend with another 1/3 being crabgrass. If I can get rid of it next spring (rototill again) I'll reseed with what I have left and hope it comes up before the crabgrass does again. Because of the weather the Switchgrass seed took a LONG time to germinate, but most of it finally did. I figure I lost a bunch that washed downhill because of all the storms we had with torrential downpours. Once the Switchgrass gets established, erosion should not be a problem any more on my hills. I'm encouraged that I just might have a decent crop next season if I can eradicate the crabgrass and reseed to fill in the other 1/3 of my 2 acres.

Spring 2009: It's May 1st and I see green chutes coming up around the old growth from last year. My estimate is that I had 20% germination. Some of the Cave-In-Rock seed is dormant, so I might get some new growth from what was seeded last year. I also spread the remaining 9 lbs I had last week. I converted 5500 sq ft that was to be Switchgrass into a small commercial veggie garden. I bought 14 lbs of Forestburg Variety which has superior winter hardiness, good seed production, and early maturity with no dormant seeds. I broadcast spread about 6 lbs of this last week. Now waiting for some rain. I may spread the rest after some rain and just before a couple of days of forecast showers more toward June. I'm hoping for better luck with the new seed.

Sept 2009: It is the end of this year's growing season and I see about 40% coverage of both varieties seeded. The Cave-In-Rock is going to seed although it propagates more through rhizomes in the spring than seed distribution above ground (so they say). I am encouraged that by the end of next season I should have 80% coverage. I have read that establishing Switchgrass can be very challenging but that once established, it does quite well. Add to that the fact that I am doing this 'organically' in that I did NOT use a pre-emergent herbicide to kill off the competing weeds (crabgrass mostly) as I have an organic garden smack in the middle of my Switchgrass fields. No herbicides or pesticides or petroleum based fertilizers have ever been used here. A new Pellet Plant has opened near here in Barnstead called Lakes Region Biomass and I will be meeting with them to discuss alternative biomass feedstocks.

Links to More Switchgrass Information

Dell Point Pellet Stoves
BHS Developing Pellet Mill
Kansas State Univ - Prairie Grass Pelleting
Virginia Tech Switchgrass Mgmt
AgMRC Switchgrass Profile
NRBP Paper on Switchgrass
Vermont Agrifuels
Short Movie Clip on Switchgrass in Canada


Pilot Project Pictures - Updated as Project Progresses

View Pictures here