The Ontario Biomass Producers Co-op is a strong supporter of research. There are currently three active research projects being supported by OBPC:
Evaluating the technical and economic feasibility of harvestable biomass crops as regenerative buffer strips and silt sock packing for nutrient runoff control
Dr. Emily Chiang, University of Guelph
Buffers are strips of vegetation grown alongside natural areas, for example watercourses. They can be used as a best management practice on agricultural land to protect surface water from runoff. Buffers are typically implemented on marginal land, where they do not impact farming operations, or in environmentally sensitive areas. However, the limited adoption of buffers, especially in croplands not directly bordering a watercourse, calls for more innovative strategies to encourage its use, for run-off control, but also as a potential source of revenue, and one more tool to restore biodiversity in long-standing cropland regions. Understanding the economic benefits of harvestable biomass buffers requires a detailed evaluation on ideal placement and width of the buffer strips based on field location, logistics for harvesting, costs and returns. There are also opportunities in using the harvested biomass as filter media in silt socks, and in their use in combination with, or to complement, buffer strips. This project also intends to maximize the translation and transfer of the developed practices.
The biology and distribution of the switchgrass gall midge, an emerging pest in Ontario
Dr. Rebecca Hallett, University of Guelph
The switchgrass gall midge (SGM) was first detected in Ontario in 2020 by OMAFRA staff. Larvae of SGM develop within switchgrass tillers, causing 100% seed loss and 35% biomass yield reduction in infested tillers. Literature on SGM is insufficient and limited to South Dakota. There is a need to document the phenology and distribution of SGM in Ontario. This project will develop diagnostic tools and initial integrated pest management recommendations for switchgrass producers.
Determining the amount and long-term stability of atmospheric carbon sequestered by miscanthus and switchgrass biomass crops
Dr. Adam Gillespie, University of Guelph
Growing biomass crops, either on marginal land not suitable for food crops or in rotations with cash crops, can provide environmental benefits by sequestering carbon and improving soil health by increasing soil organic matter. This project will support climate change resilience research by providing robust estimates of soil carbon increases that can be attributed directly to biomass crops. Furthermore, the project will assess the resistance of soil carbon to decomposition (i.e., stability) to assess its long-term sequestration potential.
Researchers on these projects share updates at our Annual General Meeting. See previous meeting summaries for more information:
OBPC AGM 2025 – Presentations coming soon
More research information can be found on our Grower Resources page and Resources from Naresh Thevathasan page.