Ethanol plant location and intensification vs. extensification of corn cropping in Kansas

Brown, JC; Hanley, E; Bergtold, J; Caldas, M; Barve, VV; Peterson, D; Calihan, RA; Gibson, J; Gray, BJ; Hendricks, N; Brunsell, NA; Dobbs, K; Kastens, JH; Earnhart, DH

HERO ID

5013144

Reference Type

Journal Article

Year

2014

Language

English

HERO ID 5013144
In Press No
Year 2014
Title Ethanol plant location and intensification vs. extensification of corn cropping in Kansas
Authors Brown, JC; Hanley, E; Bergtold, J; Caldas, M; Barve, VV; Peterson, D; Calihan, RA; Gibson, J; Gray, BJ; Hendricks, N; Brunsell, NA; Dobbs, K; Kastens, JH; Earnhart, DH
Journal Applied Geography
Volume 53
Page Numbers 141-148
Abstract Farmers’ cropping decisions are a product of a complex mix of socio-economic, cultural, and natural environments in which factors operating at a number of different spatial scales affect how farmers ultimately decide to use their land in any given year or over a set of years. Some environmentalists are concerned that increased demand for corn driven by ethanol production is leading to conversion of non-cropland into corn production (which we label as “extensification”). Ethanol industry advocates counter that more than enough corn supply comes from crop switching to corn and increased yields (which we label as “intensification”). In this study, we determine whether either response to corn demand -- intensification or extensification -- is supported. This is determined through an analysis of land-use/land-cover (LULC) data that covers the state of Kansas and a measure of a corn demand shifter related to ethanol production -- distance to the closest ethanol plant -- between 2007 and 2009.
Doi 10.1016/j.apgeog.2014.05.021
Wosid CCC:000342529700013
Is Certified Translation No
Dupe Override No
Is Public Yes
Language Text English
Keyword ethanol, crop choice, renewable fuels
Is Peer Review Yes