Michigan State University Study: More Energy Efficient to Grow Crops for Food than Fuel

The food versus fuel biofuel debate has been waging for years; and, with advent of larger biofuel mandates in the United States, the battle has only intensified. 

The results from new study by Michigan State University (MSU) will likely add more flames to this fiery topic.

The MSU biofuel study is the first scientific research project to look at the energy efficiency of crops over the long-term.  The research team collected and analyzed data from corn, soybean, wheat crops over a 19 year period.

The results?  The research team determined it is 36% more efficient to grow grain for food rather than fuel.  Producing corn for human consumption provides more energy than converting the corn into ethanol.

Considering their is a finite portion of farmable landmass, the researchers have developed some ideas to use crops for food and fuel.  One way is to use the productive farmland for both -- use the plants grain for food and the non-edible portions for fuel production. 

Another idea involves maintaining productive farmland for food production, and grow cellulosic (non-edible) grasses on less productive land.

According to Ilya Gelfand, the head researcher, the ideal situation is to "grow corn for food, then leave half the leftover stalks and leaves on the field for soil conservation and produce cellulosic ethanol with the other half."

Read the full story at ScienceDaily:  Food vs. Fuel:  Growing grain for food is more energy efficient

Learn more about Alternative Fuel on eBoom's Biofuels Energy Learning Page.