Kansas Farmers Interest and Preferences for Growing Cellulosic Bioenergy Crops

Abstract

A survey was administered to determine Kansas farmers’ willingness to grow crops for biofuel. The primary purpose of the survey was to assess farmers’ willingness to produce biomass for cellulosic bioenergy in the forms of a value added crop, an annual energy crop, and a perennial energy crop under a favorable contractual arrangement, as well as to determine reasons they would or would not grow a bioenergy crop under a contract. Results show that net returns and contract length were the most important characteristics influencing farmers’ willingness to produce cellulosic bioenergy crops.