Document Type
Thesis - University Access Only
Award Date
2011
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Department / School
Economics
Abstract
There has being extensive ongoing research about the viability of native warm-season grasses, especially switchgrass, to be cultivated and harvested for biofuel production in South Dakota. This issue becomes critical if marginal lands seeded to grasslands for game bird production in South Dakota are considered suitable for establishing native grasses for biofuel. The presence and production of game birds on marginal lands with native-warm season grasses in eastern South Dakota makes it important to know the economic trade-offs associated with the simultaneous production of biomass for biofuel and wildlife. The inherent effect of harvest intensity and timing of harvest on biomass yield, bird nesting and diversity makes it imperative to know which combination(s) of stubble height and season of harvest favor game birds and biomass production. Again, the possibility of converting grasslands to biofuel production has potential impacts on the economies of three counties in eastern South Dakota. However, based on the current farm-gate prices of native grasses produced for cellulosic ethanol, farmers are not making profits. Therefore, the analysis in this thesis is based on the determination of theoretical break-even prices. This study was done to estimate statewide pheasant harvest and population with vector autoregression model in South Dakota. It also assesses the economic costs and benefits of simultaneous biomass and wildlife production, and further investigates the associated community impacts of this economic activity in eastern South Dakota.
Library of Congress Subject Headings
Pheasants -- South Dakota
Switchgrass -- South Dakota
Biomass energy
Energy crops -- Economic aspects -- South Dakota
Game and game-birds -- Economic aspects -- South Dakota
Grasslands -- South Dakota
Format
application/pdf
Number of Pages
148
Publisher
South Dakota State University
Recommended Citation
Kyei, Fordjour K., "Forecasting of Pheasant Harvests and An Assessment of the Economic Viability of Simultaneous Biomass and Wildlife Production in South Dakota" (2011). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 1796.
https://openprairie.sdstate.edu/etd2/1796