Biofuel Energy Solutions Present New Opportunities for Agriculture

Jan 23, 2025
By Jean-Paul McDonald
Assistant Editor, North American Content, Farms.com

Canada’s agriculture sector is driving bioenergy innovation with biomass mapping

Below are a few agriculture initiatives that you may not be aware of regarding biofuels.

January 26, 2025 is the International Day of Clean Energy – an initiative highlighting the a global transition to renewable energy sources. Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) is playing a key role by exploring bioenergy solutions to reduce dependence on fossil fuels.

In Saskatoon, Dr. Christina Eynck is advancing research on Camelina, a hardy crop ideal for biofuel production. Known for its high oil content and drought resistance, Camelina grows on marginal land and matures in just 85 days, making it suitable for large-scale cultivation.

In Regina, David Lee, manager of the National AgroClimate Information Service, is mapping agricultural biomass reserves across Canada. His team uses satellite imagery and crop data to identify potential bioenergy materials like straw, stubble, and chaff from crops such as wheat and canola. This information aids policymakers and investors in identifying areas with significant bioenergy potential while ensuring soil health is preserved.

Meanwhile, in Quebec, Dr. Annick Bertrand is developing ethanol production from sweet pearl millet and sweet sorghum. These drought-tolerant crops offer dual benefits: renewable fuel production and use as cattle feed. Challenges like transportation and processing have been addressed, allowing for efficient ethanol yields of up to 750 litres per acre.

Through these initiatives, the agricultural industry is growing Canadian opportunities to seize a sustainable energy as an important sector, ensuring the livelihood of farmers while demonstrating the potential of bioenergy in combating climate change.

Photo Credit: pexels-thoinamcao

Video: Dicamba Returns for Georgia Farmers: What the New EPA Ruling Means for Cotton Growers

After being unavailable in 2024 due to registration issues, dicamba products are returning for Georgia farmers this growing season — but under strict new conditions.

In this report from Tifton, Extension Weed Specialist Stanley Culpepper explains the updated EPA ruling, including new application limits, mandatory training requirements, and the need for a restricted use pesticide license. Among the key changes: a cap of two ½-pound applications per year and the required use of an approved volatility reduction agent with every application.

For Georgia cotton producers, the ruling is significant. According to Taylor Sills with the Georgia Cotton Commission, the vast majority of cotton planted in the state carries the dicamba-tolerant trait — meaning farmers had been paying for technology they couldn’t use.

While environmental groups have expressed concerns over spray drift, Georgia growers have reduced off-target pesticide movement by more than 91% over the past decade. Still, this two-year registration period will come with increased scrutiny, making stewardship and compliance more important than ever.