Resources
We offer the following publications, conference proceedings, links and more that may be of interest to our clients and network.
Publications
Generating opportunity - Human resources needs in the bioenergy, biofuels and industrial biotechnology subsectors
Publisher:
BioTalent Canada
Year:
2009Contributer:
Patrick Girouard/AgronovitaDownload:
http://www.biotalent.ca/default_e.asp?id=13&nID=79
Summary:
Canada stands to benefit greatly from the rise of alternative energies. In addition to its plentiful resource base, this country has a long history of innovation in bioenergy, biofuels and industrial biotechnology that positions it well to emerge as a global market leader. Success depends on having the necessary human esources (HR) capacity: the right number of skilled, job-ready professionals to support companies as they develop and commercialize new solutions.
Analysis of the Logistical Costs Associated with Second Generation Biofuel Feedstocks - Modelled Supply Chain Logistical Costs Associated with Cellulosic Ethanol Production in Canada
Publisher:
Agriculture and Agrifood Canada
Year:
2008Contributer:
Patrick GirouardDownload:
http://www4.agr.gc.ca/AAFC-AAC/display-afficher.do?id=1247181726624&lang=eng
Summary:
At this moment in time, advances in genetics and farming practices can increase the efficiency of producing biofuel from existing agricultural products, but cannot overshadow Canada's potential for producing second generation biofuel using biomass and new energy crops. However, before an infrastructure for producing second generation biofuel can be built, feedstock supply chain logistics issues related to harvesting, transporting and storing biomass must be addressed. This project, mandated to ÉcoRessources Consultants and Agronovita Inc. by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) in the winter of 2008, investigates and analyzes the logistical costs of harvesting, storing and transporting large amounts of biomass from the point of harvest to the gate of a second generation biofuel plant. Its main goal is to provide information related to these costs in a Canadian context.
Strategies for Reducing the Economic Impacts of Animal Health and Phytosanitary Crises on Agricultural Businesses
Publisher:
Quebec Agricultural Adaptation Council (CDAQ)
Year:
2008Contributer:
Patrick GirouardDownload:
http://www.cdaq.qc.ca/ShowDoc.asp?IndLangue=1&Rubrique=240&Document=268 (in French only)
Summary:
Client(s):
Quebec Agricultural Adaptation Council (CDAQ) and 7 other Provincial Agricultural Adaptation Councils (multi-provincial project)
Partner(s):
EcoRessources Consultants and GoSecure
Needs:
Strategies for reducing the economic impacts of animal health or phytosanitary crises on agricultural businesses, with a focus on the 2006 outbreak of potato cyst nematodes in Saint-Amable, Quebec.
Services Provided:
Agronovita assisted with the project literature review, provided technical advisory services and led chapters two and four of this multi-provincial study. The project involved the completion of four sub-objectives:
- Development of a methodological approach for animal health or phytosanitary crisis management
- Development of a methodological approach for evaluating the economic losses incurred by agricultural businesses
- Identification and analysis of compensation measures
- Identification and analysis of key elements of a turnaround process
Results:
The study proposed strategies for reducing the economic impact of animal health crises (for instance, avian influenza, BSE, FMD) and phytosanitary crises (for instance potato cyst nematode, plum pox virus, potato wart) on agricultural businesses.
All four reports and a summary reports are publicly available at http://www.cdaq.qc.ca/ShowDoc.asp?IndLangue=1&Rubrique=240&Document=268 (in French only) or by contacting Agronovita for the summary report in English.
Carbon sequestration in perennial bioenergy, annual corn and uncultivated systems in southern Quebec
Publisher:
Agriculture Ecosystems and Environment Journal 86 (2001)
Year:
2001Contributer:
Patrick GirouardDownload:
Summary:
The conversion of relatively undisturbed ecosystems such as forests and grasslands to intensively managed agroecosystems has had major impacts on global carbon (C) cycling largely as a result of land clearing, cultivation, and replacement of perennial vegetation by annual crops. … The results of this study suggest that perennial energy crops grown on relatively fertile soils, have the potential to increase substantially soil C levels compared with conventional agricultural systems or unmanaged systems.
Commercial Production of Switchgrass in Eastern Ontario: A Management Guide
Publisher:
Resource Efficient Agricultural Production (REAP)-Canada
Year:
1999Contributer:
Patrick GirouardDownload:
http://www.reap-canada.com/online_library/media/21%20Le%20panic.pdf (in French only)
Summary:
After several years of research, switchgrass has proven to be the most promising crop for energy and fibre applications in eastern Ontario and southwestern Quebec. Switchgrass is also the subject of a substantial development effort in the United States, where the crop has been identified in the early 1990s as a model herbaceous energy crop species by the Department of Energy. More recently, a switchgrass research network involving five countries has been established in the European Community. Several market opportunities involving switchgrass will be available to eastern Ontario farmers in the upcoming years. This management guide intends to provide the basic knowledge on how to successfully grow switchgrass.
Economics and Carbon Offset Potential of Biomass Fuels
Publisher:
Resource Efficient Agricultural Production (REAP)-Canada & Federal Panel on Energy R&D (PERD), Natural Resources Canada
Year:
1999Contributer:
Patrick GirouardDownload:
The Implications of Growing Short-Rotation Tree Species for Carbon Sequestration in Canada
Publisher:
Resource Efficient Agricultural Production (REAP)-Canada & Canadian National Climate Change Process
Year:
1999Contributer:
Patrick GirouardDownload:
http://www.reap-canada.com/online_library/ghg_offsets_policy/20%20The%20Implications.pdf
An economic analysis of the financial viability of switchgrass as a raw material for pulp production in eastern Ontario
Publisher:
Biomass and Bioenergy 16: 1
Year:
1998Contributer:
Patrick GirouardDownload:
Summary:
This paper examines the economic viability of producing switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) to be used as pulp in fine paper production. Pulp mills in eastern Ontario and western Quebec are considered to be the potential market for switchgrass. The potential size of the market for switchgrass pulp is assessed. Budgets for switchgrass are constructed and various measures of the potential market value of switchgrass are calculated. Based on these preliminary findings, it appears that switchgrass could be an attractive crop for farmers in eastern Ontario and western Quebec. The total land area required to satisfy the potential demand for switchgrass fibre for pulping in eastern Ontario is estimated to be between 22,000 and 48,000 hectares. Further agronomic research to examine the productivity of switchgrass on economically marginal and erosion prone lands is indicated.
Conference Proceedings
Analysis of the Supply-Chain Logistical Costs Associated with Second Generation Biofuel Feedstocks
Presented At:
4th Annual Growing the Margins Conference: Green Energy and Economy for the Farm and Food Sectors. London, Ontario.
Year:
2010Contributer:
Patrick GirouardDownload:
http://www.gtmconference.ca/site/index.php/component/docman/doc_details/200-2010-g1c-girouard
Logistics in the Biomass Industry: What are the Logistical Hurdles?
Presented At:
2nd Biomass Heat Networking Forum: Growing the Value Chain for Agriculture and Rural Biomass Heat Businesses. London, Ontario.