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RESEARCH ARTICLE
Contents Vol 45(11)

Capture of agricultural surplus water determines the productivity and scale of new low-rainfall woody crop industries

D. Cooper A , G. Olsen B and J. Bartle A C
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A CALM – Natural Resources Branch, Locked Bag 104, Bentley Delivery Centre, WA 6983, Australia.

B Olsen and Vickery, PO Box 357 Waroona, WA 6215, Australia.

C Corresponding author. Email: johnb@calm.wa.gov.au

Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 45(11) 1369-1388 https://doi.org/10.1071/EA04152
Submitted: 30 July 2004  Accepted: 5 October 2005   Published: 16 December 2005

Abstract

This paper presents a conceptual model for estimating the maximum scale of biomass processing industry that may be supported by woody crops grown in the medium and low rainfall agricultural regions of southern Australia. The model integrates paddock scale economics, water capture by woody crops, conversion of water to woody biomass, and estimation of suitable area. It enables estimates to be made of the maximum scale of implementation of commercial woody crops in various climatic regions, and the maximum amount of woody biomass that could be produced commercially within an economic transport distance of a processing facility. To demonstrate the utility of the model, potential biomass supply is estimated for 2 Western Australian wheatbelt towns, Merredin and Narrogin. These estimates are compared with the feedstock requirements of a range of different processing industries.

This paper demonstrates that the rate of converting water to biomass and water capture biomass price are key determinants of the potential scale of biomass crops and processing industries in the southern Australian wheat and wool belts and hence the potential contribution of woody crops to dryland salinity management.

Additional keywords: bioenergy, biomass, coppice crops, mallee, phase crops, salinity, short-cycle woody crops.


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