Responses of Alabama farmers to a survey on growing switchgrass for energy

A survey was conducted among Alabama farmers to determine (1) what competition switchgrass for energy would face from existing enterprises, (2) how much hay making equipment was already present on farms, and (3) the level of interest among producers in growing switchgrass for energy. Farmers estimated that return/acre for beef cattle from pasture, row crops, hay and forestry (the major agricultural activities in the state) were $69, $110, $50 and $24, respectively. Thirty-two percent of respondents indicated that they had an average of 122 acres idle, while 24% indicated they had an average of 190 acres in the Conservation Reserve Program, for which an average of $39/acre/year was received. Eighty percent of respondents made their own hay and 18% bought hay at an average price of $58/ton. The proportion of respondents that owned equipment was: tractors, 99%; mowers, 80%; hay rakes, 77%; big balers, 68%; and mower-conditioners, 42%. Eighty-four percent indicated that they would produce, harvest, bale and transport biomass themselves, in preference to contracting any part of the operation out. Eight percent indicated that they would plant an average of 155 acres of switchgrass if they could make an average profit of $93/acre/year.