Illinois Energy Sorghum Harvest 2020

The University of Illinois at the Center for Advanced Bioenergy and Bioproduct Innovation, also known as CABI, the Department of Crop Sciences and the Department of Animal Science, are bringing you the 2020 Energy Serum Harvest. Perennial Miscanthus and Annual Energy Serum are two high-yielding crops with potential for bioenergy and bioproduct feedstocks. Compared to maize, relatively little is known about the agronomic and biogeochemical performance of Miscanthus and Energy Serum, but these properties have direct and significant implications for ecological sustainability and economic viability in the future. In this video, we are harvesting the 2020 Energy Serum, which is part of a serum-serum-soybean rotation. These yields are being compared to similar plots of Miscanthus and maize. Preliminary yields for 2018 are 8.5 dry tons per acre. Our 2020 yields were lower at around 5 tons per acre. Our site experienced flooding, which caused replanting in June. We also had hail in July and early frost in October, which stopped the late-season growth of Energy Serum. Yield is not the only thing we are after. This trial is also heavily instrumented. A network of tiles lets researchers compare nitrate leaching and groundwater use. Eddy covariance towers and other air quality instruments are collecting carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide emissions, water, and energy exchanges coming from plants and soils. Soil samples and cores are taken regularly to compare the effects of these crops on soil health. If you want to find out more about our research, visit us at caddy.bio. We greatly appreciate New Holland for their participation in the 2020 Energy Serum Harvest.