### Dear Lauren,

We are writing in response to your request that

, NexSteppe provide non

- confidential composition
information for certain commercial and pre

- commercial NexSteppe hybrids. We attach for your review

and inclusion in the docket , at your discretion, the following information:

1. A summary of composition results for certain NexSteppe hybrids. (Table 1)

2. A summary of NREL methods that were used for the composition analysis of NexSteppe hybrids
(Table 2)

3. The general production guidelines under which the plants used in the compositional analysis

were grown.

Plant samples to be used in the composition analysis were grown under what can be described as

"commercial" conditions using the attached production guide as a general rule. Local variations in
agronomic practices may have occurred and we do not have detailed records of the conditions under
which each of these samples were cultivated.

We hope that you find this informa tion useful, if you would like to discuss or we can provide any further
information please do not hesitate to contact us.

Best regards,

Kripa Rao

CC:

John Van de North

Thomas Lorenzen (Dorsey)

Tim Lust (NSP)

Chris Cogburn (NSP)

### Table 1 : Nexsteppe Palo Alto Composition data *

Material Trial Location Average

Free Sugars (%) Average

Starch (%) Average

Total

cellulosics (%) Average

ACC (%)

Palo Alto Hybrid 1 Alagoas state, Brazil 8.48 5.22 75.78 77.44% Palo Alto Hybrid 2 Alagoas state, Brazil 8.50 3.58 78.09 79.13% Palo Alto Hybrid 1 Hereford, Texas 1.23 8.12 80.10 87.53% Palo Alto Hybrid 2 Hereford, Texas 2.99 4.30 75.53 82.98% Palo Alto Hybrid 1 Hermiston, Oregon 1.69 0.91 75.27 88.59% Palo Alto Hybrid 2 Hermiston, Oregon 5.94 0.28 77.60 83.11% Palo Alto Hybrid 2 North Carolina 2.55 1.60 80.47 86.88%

* Table 2 : Composition data quantified using NREL methods listed in Table 2.

Analyte Method Used Comments

Sample preparation for analysis NREL/TP

- 510

- 42620, “Preparation of

Samples for Compositional Analysis”

% Ash NREL/TP

- 510

- 42622 “ Determination of ash

in biomass” Total ash before

solvent extraction

% Free sugars NREL/TP

- 510

- 42619 “Determination of

Extractives in Biomass” Measured from the

water extractives and includes sucrose, glucose and fructose
% Cellulose, %

Hemicellulose NREL/TP

- 510

- 42618: Determination of

Structural Carbohydrates and Lignin in

Biomass Performed on the

water and ethanol

extractive free

materials
% Lignin NREL/TP

- 510

- 42618: Determin ation of

Structural Carbohydrates and Lignin in

Biomass Includes acid soluble and insoluble lignin

# palo alto
high biomass
sorghum

## ‘Palo Alto’ is the brand name for NexSteppe Inc. line of high biomass sorghum. Palo Alto high biomass sorghum is designed to be a high yielding, low moisture hybrid specifically for cellulosic ethanol production.

Introduct i on

Grain based ethanol has dominated the biofuels industry in the U.S. However, the federal government has capped how much ethanol can be derived from grain. Much of the ethanol produced in the future will come from lignocellulose, which comprises much of the composition of plants. The ethanol produced from lignocellulose is often referred to as cellulosic ethanol. The plant material, or feedstock, to produce cellulosic ethanol will come from a number of sources, including various waste products such as wood chips and crop residue, particularly from corn. However, to meet the demand for a reliable cellulosic feedstock, dedicated biomass crops will be necessary. Much of the initial focus for bioenergy crops has been placed on perennials such as switchgrass, miscanthus, energy cane and arundo. Although these and other perennial crops will play a large role, certain annual crops will also make a major contribution. High biomass sorghum is one of these crops.

How i t Di ffers from O t h er S org h um

High biomass sorghum is often confused with forage sorghum or sweet sorghum, but it is neither. Forage sorghum has been grown for livestock feed for many years as hay, silage or as pasture. For livestock, emphasis on breeding and agronomy was placed on the quality and quantity of forage that could be produced, ultimately resulting in high daily pounds of livestock gain on a per acre basis. With sweet sorghum, the goal is to grow a plant that produces a lot of juice high in fermentable sugars. In contrast, the goal for high biomass sorghum is to provide a feedstock that requires low inputs while producing a high yield with a high percentage of

cellulose and hemicellulose. 

# P alo A lto H igh B iomass S orghum

W hat is it?

## Adv a nt a ges of H i g h B i om a ss S org h um a s a C ellulos i c F eedstock

The primary advantages of using high biomass sorghum as cellulosic ethanol feedstock are

listed below:

• It is much easier for a farmer to commit land to growing an annual crop with a life cycle of less than 140 days than a perennial crop that will tie up land for multiple years.

• Sorghum is known to be more drought tolerant than many other C4 annual crops such as

corn.

• Sorghum has a low establishment cost.

• Infrastructure for handling sorghum seed is already in place.

• Established agronomy practices for grain and forage sorghum can be adapted for high biomass sorghum.

• Harvesting equipment is readily available.

• If long term storage of biomass sorghum is required, it can be baled or ensiled.



# High biomass sorghum is a feedstock that requires low inputs while producing a high yield with a high percentage

of cellulose and

hemicellulose.

## La nd Pre pa r a

t i on a nd Pl a nt i ng

Palo Alto high biomass sorghum seed is similar to other types of sorghum in that bestemergence and plant establishment occur when planted in a firm, uniform seedbed. Notillage or reduced tillage is an option as long as the seed can be placed uniformly into the soil. If significant crop residue is present, row cleaners are recommended. Germination and establishment is best when seed is placed into soil that has

reached at least 60 o 

## F. A planting depth of 1 to 2 inches works best. Sorghum seed is relatively small compared to cotton or soybean seed and will vary between hybrids and even between seed lots. For this reason, seeding rates are based on number of seed per acre rather than pounds per acre. Recommended seeding rate will range from 45,000 to 70,000 seed/acre, depending on the yield goal. If heavy crop residue is present or soil is in poor condition, increase seeding rate 15%. Planters should be well maintained and equipped with the proper sorghum plate for the seed size used. This will minimize skips and doubles within the row. Row spacing can vary,
but 30-inch rows work well. 

# p roduct i on G u i de P alo A lto H igh B iomass S orghum

S eed i ng Ra te 45,000 to 70,000 seed/acre 

# Under a high yield environment, as much as 300 lbs of N/acre can be removed from

the soil.

## Wa ter R equ i rement

Sorghum is able to withstand short periods of drought without drastically lowering yield. In areas where rainfall is sparse, supplemental irrigation will greatly increase yield potential. As a general rule, Palo Alto high biomass sorghum will need approximately 75% of the water required for corn to reach maximum yield. Depending on the environment, high biomass sorghum will use 18 in to 26 in of total water (rainfall, soil water, irrigation) to achieve its full potential yield. Water demand will reach its peak at the heading stage and will remain high through the grain hard dough stage. At its peak, average daily water use will be approximately 0.28 inches. Care should be taken not to over irrigate early in the season. This is important to allow the sorghum to develop a deep root system. In a deep soil profile, sorghum can extract water from at least a depth of 4 ft.

No Nitroge n



## N utr i ent R equ i rement

Palo Alto high biomass sorghum does not require as much N-P-K as many other crops. For high yield environments, the following amounts of nutrients should be made available to the crop: 140 lb N, 80 lb P
2 

## O
5 

## and 160 lb K
2 

## O per acre. The amount of fertilizer applied should take into account any soil residual nutrients that are present based on a soil nutrient analysis. On high clay textured soils, all of the needed nutrients can be applied preplant. In sandy soils, it is best to apply N and K fertilizer in split applications, with 30 to 40 % applied preplant or at planting, and the remainder applied as a layby treatment. High biomass sorghum will grow best in soils with a pH between 6.5 and 7.6. Lime and gypsum should be applied as necessary to amend soil pH. Micronutrients may be necessary in some regions; check with local experts for specific micronutrient recommendations. 

# Nitroge n A pplied 0 0.1 0.2 0.3

0 30 60 90 120 150 180Daily Water Requirement (in)

Days After Planting NexSteppe Palo Alto High Biomass Sorghum Water Use

Boot Bloom

Hard Dough

Maturity

Panicle Initiation**exSteppe	
  52K 1009	
  is	
  a	
  long	
  season	
  hybrid	
  with	
  a	
  dry** 

**, large	
  diameter	
  stalk**  **and good	
  standability.	
  The	
  dry** 
**stalk	
  will	
  result	
  in	
  lower	
  plant	
  moisture at	
  harvest.** 



# Product	
  Brand	
  Characteristics

**Category Characteristic**  **Value**

**M anagement** 

**Maturity Group F** 

**Plant Description**

**Total Plant Height (m )**  **3.5**

**- 5.0** 

**Seeds per Kg (000)**  **30.0**

**- 33.0** 

**Days to Flower 110** 

**- 120** 

**Days to Harvest 120**  **+**

**Growth**

**Seedling Vigor 5** 

**Staygreen 7** 

**Plant Uniformity (ht.) 5** 

**Lodging 3** 

**Pre**

**- Flower Stress Tolerance**  **4**

**Post**

**- Flower Stress Tolerance**  **5**

**Post Freeze Standability 5** 

**Yield Under Stress 4** 

**Harvest**

**Yield for Maturity 2** 

**Diseases**

**Charcoal Rot Tolerance 4** 

**Anthracnose Tolerance**  **7**

**Turci c**  **um Tolerance**  **2**

**Rust Tolerance**  **6**

**Target Spot Tolerance 3** 

**SC MV Tolerance**  **3**

**Chemical Burn Tolerance 3** 

**Insects**

**Greenbug Tolerance C** 



# Key	
  Strengths

High yield of dry matter

Reduced moisture level at harvest

F ast plant growth



# Management	
  Tips

Best to harvest 20 to 40 days after flower i ng to maximize dry matter yield. **9	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  8	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  7	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  6	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  5	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  4	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  3 2	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  1**  **Stalk	
  Moisture**

**Seedling	
  Vigor**

**Pre-­‐Flower	
  Stress	
  Tolerance**

**Yield	
  	
  for	
  Maturity** 

## High	
  Biomass	
  Sorghum	
  52K1009 

# N

**LEGEND Rating	
  Scale:** 

**1**

**-­‐ 2**  **=	
  Excellent**

**3**

**-­‐ 4**  **=	
  Very	
  Good**

**5**

**-­‐ 6**  **=	
  Good**

**7**

**-­‐ 8**  **=	
  Fair**

**9 =	
  Poor** 

**-­‐ =	
  Not	
  Available**  **Greenbug	
  Tolerance:**

**C =	
  Biotype	
  “C”** 

**D =	
  Biotype	
  “D”** 

**E =	
  Biotype	
  “E”** 

**I =	
  Biotype	
  “I”** 

**Codes:**

**E =	
  Early** 

**M**

**-­‐ E**  **=	
  Medium**

**-­‐ Early** 

**M =	
  Medium** 

**M**

**-­‐ F**  **=	
  Medium**

**-­‐ Full** 

**F	
  =	
  Full**

**PS	
  =	
  Photo	
  Period	
  Sensitive SCMV:**  **Sugar	
  Cane	
  Mosaic	
  Virus**

**Notes: Rating	
  scale	
  relative	
  to	
  other	
  NexSteppe®	
  brand	
  products.** 

**Data based	
  on	
  a	
  limited	
  number	
  of	
  trials	
  conducted	
  by	
  Nexsteppe**  **.	
  Traits	
  for	
  which no	
  rating	
  value	
  is	
  shown	
  were	
  not	
  rated	
  for	
  this	
  product.**  **Planting	
  hybrid	
  in	
  areas of	
  different	
  geography	
  or	
  environment	
  will	
  change	
  some	
  ratings.**  

# 52K **1009**

**High Biomass Sorghum**



## Although Palo Alto high biomass sorghum does not require a lot of N to produce high yields, if a high amount of N is in the soil, it will be taken up by the plant. Under a high yield environment, as much as 300 lbs of N/acre can be removed from the soil. This makes high biomass sorghum an excellent crop on swine effluent spray fields or other industrial sites where large amounts of nutrients need to be utilized and removed from the field.

W eed C ontrol

Herbicides labeled for grain sorghum or forage sorghum can be safely used in high biomass sorghum. It is best to apply a pre-emergence herbicide, especially if annual grass is a potential problem. An atrazine containing premix with either metolachlor or dimethenimid will generally do a good job in controlling annual grasses and most annual broadleaf weeds. Be sure and check labels for local use of atrazine. Atrazine cannot be used pre-emergence in sandy or high pH soils. In these soils, metolachlor or dimethenamid can be applied alone pre-emer gence. Seed must be treated with a safener (Concep III ® 

## or equivalent) if one of these grass herbicides is to be used. Atrazine or other broadleaf herbicides can be applied early post emergence in most soils. Because of the rapid growth of Palo Alto high biomass sorghum, late emerging weeds are seldom a problem.

Potent ia l Insects a nd C ontrol

Many of the insects that infest grain sorghum can be a potential problem in high biomass sorghum. See regional university or other experts for specific threshold levels and insecticide recommendations. One insect that can be particularly damaging is fall armyworm ( Spodoptera frugiperda ). Begin examining sorghum for fall armyworms 15 days after planting. If worms are found on 20% of the plants, apply insecticide. Control will be improved if fall armyworms are small.

Potent ia l Di se a ses a nd C ontrol

NexSteppe research has shown that diseases seldom reach a level in Palo Alto hybrids to warrant fungicide application. Late season leaf infection can actually help lower the percent moisture in the biomass at harvest. Seed fungicide treatments applied by NexSteppe are sufficient to control most seedling diseases.

H a rvest

Palo Alto high biomass sorghum can be harvested as hay, ensiled or delivered fresh to the end user. To maximize yield, it is important to delay harvest until the sorghum has reached the soft to hard dough stage. Biomass yield increases significantly from heading to hard dough stage.Delaying harvest also allows the biomass to dry down. This is especially important for justin-time delivery. At the soft to hard dough stage, Palo Alto hybrids will usually be about 60% moisture. This is 10 to 15 percentage points drier than other high biomass sorghums on the market. Moisture content may be even less than 60% if late leaf disease infection has occurred, resulting in dry leaves. The cutter bar of the harvester should be set approximately 3 to 4 inches above the ground.**exSteppe	
  52K 1009	
  is	
  a	
  long	
  season	
  hybrid	
  with	
  a	
  dry** 

**, large	
  diameter	
  stalk**  **and good	
  standability.	
  The	
  dry** 
**stalk	
  will	
  result	
  in	
  lower	
  plant	
  moisture at	
  harvest.** 



# Product	
  Brand	
  Characteristics

**Category Characteristic**  **Value**

**M anagement** 

**Maturity Group F** 

**Plant Description**

**Total Plant Height (m )**  **3.5**

**- 5.0** 

**Seeds per Kg (000)**  **30.0**

**- 33.0** 

**Days to Flower 110** 

**- 120** 

**Days to Harvest 120**  **+**

**Growth**

**Seedling Vigor 5** 

**Staygreen 7** 

**Plant Uniformity (ht.) 5** 

**Lodging 3** 

**Pre**

**- Flower Stress Tolerance**  **4**

**Post**

**- Flower Stress Tolerance**  **5**

**Post Freeze Standability 5** 

**Yield Under Stress 4** 

**Harvest**

**Yield for Maturity 2** 

**Diseases**

**Charcoal Rot Tolerance 4** 

**Anthracnose Tolerance**  **7**

**Turci c**  **um Tolerance**  **2**

**Rust Tolerance**  **6**

**Target Spot Tolerance 3** 

**SC MV Tolerance**  **3**

**Chemical Burn Tolerance 3** 

**Insects**

**Greenbug Tolerance C** 



# Key	
  Strengths

High yield of dry matter

Reduced moisture level at harvest

F ast plant growth



# Management	
  Tips

Best to harvest 20 to 40 days after flower i ng to maximize dry matter yield. **9	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  8	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  7	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  6	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  5	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  4	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  3 2	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  1**  **Stalk	
  Moisture**

**Seedling	
  Vigor**

**Pre-­‐Flower	
  Stress	
  Tolerance**

**Yield	
  	
  for	
  Maturity** 

## High	
  Biomass	
  Sorghum	
  52K1009 

# N

**LEGEND Rating	
  Scale:** 

**1**

**-­‐ 2**  **=	
  Excellent**

**3**

**-­‐ 4**  **=	
  Very	
  Good**

**5**

**-­‐ 6**  **=	
  Good**

**7**

**-­‐ 8**  **=	
  Fair**

**9 =	
  Poor** 

**-­‐ =	
  Not	
  Available**  **Greenbug	
  Tolerance:**

**C =	
  Biotype	
  “C”** 

**D =	
  Biotype	
  “D”** 

**E =	
  Biotype	
  “E”** 

**I =	
  Biotype	
  “I”** 

**Codes:**

**E =	
  Early** 

**M**

**-­‐ E**  **=	
  Medium**

**-­‐ Early** 

**M =	
  Medium** 

**M**

**-­‐ F**  **=	
  Medium**

**-­‐ Full** 

**F	
  =	
  Full**

**PS	
  =	
  Photo	
  Period	
  Sensitive SCMV:**  **Sugar	
  Cane	
  Mosaic	
  Virus**

**Notes: Rating	
  scale	
  relative	
  to	
  other	
  NexSteppe®	
  brand	
  products.** 

**Data based	
  on	
  a	
  limited	
  number	
  of	
  trials	
  conducted	
  by	
  Nexsteppe**  **.	
  Traits	
  for	
  which no	
  rating	
  value	
  is	
  shown	
  were	
  not	
  rated	
  for	
  this	
  product.**  **Planting	
  hybrid	
  in	
  areas of	
  different	
  geography	
  or	
  environment	
  will	
  change	
  some	
  ratings.**  

# 52K **1009**

**High Biomass Sorghum**



## K ey S trengt h s

• High yield of dry matter

• Reduced moisture level at harvest

• Fast plant growth

Ma n a gement Tip s

• Best to harvest 20 to 40 days after flowering to maximize dry matter yield.

• This hybrid is susceptible to Colletotrichum graminicola (Anthracnose) which should lower the amount of leaf tissue harveste resulting in less ash content in the dry biomass composition. 

# N ex S teppe 52 K 1009 is a long season hybrid with a dry, large diameter stalk and good standability. T he dry stalk will result in lower plant moisture at harvest. exSteppe 52K1009 is a long season hybrid with a dry

, large diameter stalk and good standability. The dry
stalk will result in lower plant moisture at harves t.



# Product Brand Characteristics

  



 



 

 

 

 



 

 
 

 

 

 

 

 


 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 


  

# Key Strengths

High yield of dry matter

Reduced moisture level at harvest

Extremely fast plant growth



# Management Tips

The hybrid is also susceptible to

Colletotrichum graminicola (Anthracnose )

which should lower the amount of leaf tissue

harvested resulting in less ash content in the

dry biomass composition 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Stalk Moisture

Seedling Vigor

Pre-Flower Stress Tolerance

Yield for Maturity 

## High Biomass Sorghum 52K1009 

# N

**LEGEND Rating Scale:** 

**1-2** = Excellent

**3-4** = Very Good

**5-6** = Good

**7-8** = Fair

**9** = Poor
- = Not Available **Greenbug Tolerance:**

**C** = Biotype “C”

**D** = Biotype “D”

**E** = Biotype “E”

**I** = Biotype “I”

**Codes:**

**E** = Early

**M-E** = Medium-Early

**M** = Medium

**M-F** = Medium-Full

F = Full

**PS = Photo Period Sensitive SCMV:**  Sugar Cane Mosaic Virus

**Notes:** Rating scale relative to other NexSteppe® brand pro ducts. Data based on NexSteppe® conducted trials in Herefo rd TX in Fall of 2012. Traits for which no rating value is shown were not rated for t his product. Planting hybrid in areas of different geography or environment will ch ange some ratings. 

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# F or further information visit www.nexsteppe.com, or contact Brent Bean, D irector of Agronomy ph: 806-223-2873, email: bbean@nexsteppe.com.

PAUS 14-1