U.S. flagAn official website of the United States government
                    Here's how you know **Official websites use .gov**
                            
                            A **.gov** website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
 **Secure .gov websites use HTTPS**
                            
                            A **lock** (                            
                              A locked padlock                                                      
                            
                            ) or **https://** means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.


Menu Agricultural Research Service
						
                    U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
 Northern Plains Agricultural Research Laboratory: Sidney, MT
 close



    Research

                    Research Projects
                                    Publications
                                    Collaborations
                                    News
                People

                    Staff Listing
                                    Careers


        


                    Research Units
                        Agricultural Systems Research
                                    Pest Management Research
                                    Grasshoppers: Their Biology, Identification and Management:
                    Plains Area OfficeSearch small
                    Search
            
            ARS Home
                                About ARS
                                Contact Us




ARS Home Plains Area Sidney, Montana Northern Plains Agricultural Research Laboratory NPARL Docs





- NPARL Home
- ASRU Home
- NWRBRC Home
- Boise, Idaho
- Burns, Oregon
- Corvallis, Oregon
- Kimberly, Idaho
- Pendleton, Oregon
- Prosser, Washington
- Pullman, Washington
- Sidney, Montana
- Wenatchee, Washington
- Upendra Sainju

NW Biomass Research - Sidney, MTheadline bar Northwestern Regional Biomass Research Center The Northwestern Regional Biomass Research Center (NWRBRC) is a network of existing USDA-ARS facilities and scientists located in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Montana. The NWRBRC is a multidisciplinary research (biological, chemical, and physical) organization focused on biological feedstocks that are unique to the northwestern US region. NWRBRC is one of five regional USDA Biomass Research Centers established in 2010 by USDA Secretary's Office of Science to coordinate different research disciplines and approaches within ARS leading to development of integrated solutions contributing to sustainable biofuel supply chains based on agricultural feedstocks. /ARSUserFiles/30320500/Northwestern Region.pngAssociated Locations of the Agricultural Research Service, Northwestern Regional Biomass Research Center  The USDA estimates that 1-billion gallons of advanced biofuels will be produced from feedstocks derived from the Northwestern region that will contribute 4.6% of the 21-billion gallons required under the latest version of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS2). Primary focus for ARS research is on the incorporation of oil seed crops into existing cereal-based production systems. Significant consideration is also given to the sustainable utilization of crop straw post-harvest residues with specific attention given to maintaining soil carbon levels after harvest and the prevention of soil erosion. Oil seed crop efforts will be in conjunction with efforts conducted by the Western Regional Center, with an emphasis on the integration of expanded production and minimization of its impact of existing wheat-based production systems. ARS is also focused on the restoration of western rangelands through the harvest and removal of invasive western juniper and pinion pine trees.  Research Highlights Accomplishments Report (2019) - pdf 133Kb
Accomplishments Report (2018) - pdf 154Kb
Accomplishments Report (2017)- pdf 143Kb
Accomplishments Report (2016)- pdf 279Kb
Accomplishments Report (2015)- pdf 280Kb
Accomplishment Reports (2010-2014) - pdf 163Kb Research Focus Areas The NWRBRC has three research focus areas: (1) Feedstock development, (2) Feedstock Production, and (3) Conversion and Co-Product Utilization. Feedstock Development Scientists screen annual and perennial crops and their cultivars for resistance to lodging, disease, herbicides, and drought and heat to determine their suitability for production within different growing environments within the region. They also determine the chemical composition of various resulting feedstocks that influences thermo-chemical conversion and ethanol yield, and ascertain the relative energy benefits and environmental impacts that are associated with growing bioenergy crops. Feedstock Production Field experiments comparing germination and stand establishment, winter hardiness and survival, water and nitrogen use, residue decomposition, weed control, biomass yield, profitability, and other aspects of cultivation are conducted to determine best cultural practices for producing various bioenergy crops. Crop rotation studies are undertaken to identify optical rotation strategies for integrating biofuel crops into traditional cropping systems. New mechanical systems and methods are developed for harvesting biological feedstocks and transporting them to conversion plants. Conversion and Co-Product Utilization Researchers evaluate the breakdown and conversion of various biological feedstocks (crop residues, woody material, and municipal waste). In addition, they develop systems for farm-scale conversion of straw to energy and ascertain the potential usefulness of co-products of conversion e.g., oilseed crop residue as a biofumigant to control soilborne pathogens, bio-char as a soil amendment for stabilizing soil carbon, and distillers grains as a source of soil nutrients.


Return to top


Connect with ARS Sign up


ARS Home
                            USDA.gov
                            Plain Writing
                            Policies & Links
                            Civil Rights Statements
                            FOIA
                            Accessibility Statement
                            Privacy Policy
                            Non-Discrimination Statement
                            Quality of Information
                            USA.gov
                            WhiteHouse.gov