Does wheat have a place in the bio fuels market

[craig]

While I would agree with the basis of you comments I would argue that net energy balance is very hard to define. Net energy will be different for everyone based on things like yield type of farming practice, distance from market and distance from supply of inputs. If we used your logic we would trash the tar sands because it has a poorer energy balance than conventional oil.

[TOM4CWB]

Craig,

Interesting subject... no doubt. There are 101 ways of balancing a biofuel system... as there are of providing the energy to seperate oil from sand at the tar sands!

We need to have the faith and hope that we will build a reliable and sustainable system... and I have no doubt in the capacity of the creative abilities of humans... to overcome "impossible" barriers.

Prosperity is a state of mind... and there is nothing more natural and sustainable than biofuels & energy made from plant material! Until 200 years ago... this was the only way it was done!

[Jay-mo]

I'm quite sure that wheat is at a bit of disadvantage compared to corn when comparing bushels of grain to liters of ethanol produced. The larger difference would be the yields that we are able to produce in western Canada.
100 bushel/acre winter wheat on a really good year compare to the midwest where corn yeilds of 200 bushel/acre are not uncommon.
I have visited several ethanol factories in South Dakota where they are built almost in sight of each other and they seem to have no concerns about being able to secure the raw corn to keep their plants running.