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Managing annual row crops on marginally productive croplands can be environmentally unsustainable and result in variable economic returns. Incorporating perennial bioenergy feedstocks into marginally productive cropland can engender ecosystem services and enhance climate resiliency while also diversifying farm incomes. We use one of the oldest bioenergy-specific field experiments in North America to evaluate economically and environmentally sustainable management practices for growing perennial grasses on marginal cropland. This long-term field trial called 9804 was established in 1998 in eastern Nebraska and compared the productivity and sustainability of corn (Zea mays L.)—both corn grain and corn stover—and switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) bioenergy systems under different harvest strategies and nitrogen (N) fertilizer rates. This experiment demonstrated that switchgrass, compared to corn, is a reliable and sustainable bioenergy feedstock. This experiment has been a catalyst for other bioenergy projects which have also expanded our understanding of growing and managing bioenergy feedstocks on marginal cropland. We (1) synthesize research from this long-term experiment and (2) provide perspective concerning both the knowledge gained from this experiment and knowledge gaps and how to fill them as well as the role switchgrass will play in the future of bioenergy.

Economic analyses were conducted examining 18 years of Nebraska monthly- average auction data to ! nd the e" ects of certain management decisions on the pro! tability of yearling production systems. A 2×2 experimental design was used to examine four possible scenarios. $ e variables were either fast winter growth (daily gain, 2.0 lb/ day) or slow winter growth (daily gain, 0.8 lb/day), and either a September or a July marketing date. In addition to pro! tability, risk management was also examined in this study. Average pro! tability of all scenarios was good, ranging from $112 to $143 per calf. Utilizing fast winter growth combined with marketing steers in September was the most pro! table scenario.

Economic analyses were conducted to estimate the effect of management decisions on profitability of yearling production systems. Three reported experiments were analyzed where rate of winter gain and length of summer grazing were variables. Corn stalk grazing with distillers grains supplement is quite economical. Winter gains of 1.5 to 2.0 lb/day were more profitable, aft er grass or aft er feedlot, than winter gains less than 1 lb/ day. Yearlings compensated for lower winter gains while on grass, but those gaining more in the winter gained better in the feedlot and produced heavier final weights. The analyses do not show a clear benefit for marketing yearlings off grass in July versus September.

Steers (729 ± 19 lb BW) grazed in two November-planted cereal rye fields for 22 d in April, either with or without an ionophore in their free choice mineral supplement. Subsequent corn yields were measured to assess impact of planting cereal rye as a cover crop (not grazed) or grazing the rye compared to a no rye control. There was no statistical impact of rye or grazing on subsequent corn yield. Supplying an ionophore in the mineral did not uniformly improve gains across fields. However, gains were high at 3.2 lb/d and were able to offset the cost of planting rye.

This project builds upon the NPS Advanced Digital Adviser Partnering Technologies (ADAPT) project, formerly known as the Remote Advise and Assist (RAA) kit. The RAA kit was developed to fill the policy gap that prohibited U.S. forces from accompanying partner forces. ADAPT expands the RAA technology beyond the Direct-Action mission set to all potential mission types. The NPS research team proposes the development of JOCTAK, a unified TAK solution that can aggregate and display critical relevant information from the network of users and sensors. Much like ATAK, JOCTAK has the potential to display mission-specific and sensor information at the individual operator level, but also to aggregate and instantaneously analyze data and information from multiple units and sensors across the operational area. The capability to do so provides an operational level COP that facilitates timely decision making by both the commander, staffs, and tactical elements. In addition to aggregating the numerous flows of information into a single comprehensive system, it repurposes the Remote Advise Assist concept to CWMD operations. An integrated TAK system would allow nuclear and CWMD subject matter experts who are not organic to the DOD, or not physically located in the JOC, to remotely advise and assist U.S. and partner forces in response to a CWMD operation., http://archive.org/details/jointoperationsc1094561230, Captain, United States Army, Major, United States Army, Lieutenant, United States Navy, Major, United States Army, Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.

This project builds upon the NPS Advanced Digital Adviser Partnering Technologies (ADAPT) project, formerly known as the Remote Advise and Assist (RAA) kit. The RAA kit was developed to fill the policy gap that prohibited U.S. forces from accompanying partner forces. ADAPT expands the RAA technology beyond the Direct-Action mission set to all potential mission types. The NPS research team proposes the development of JOCTAK, a unified TAK solution that can aggregate and display critical relevant information from the network of users and sensors. Much like ATAK, JOCTAK has the potential to display mission-specific and sensor information at the individual operator level, but also to aggregate and instantaneously analyze data and information from multiple units and sensors across the operational area. The capability to do so provides an operational level COP that facilitates timely decision making by both the commander, staffs, and tactical elements. In addition to aggregating the numerous flows of information into a single comprehensive system, it repurposes the Remote Advise Assist concept to CWMD operations. An integrated TAK system would allow nuclear and CWMD subject matter experts who are not organic to the DOD, or not physically located in the JOC, to remotely advise and assist U.S. and partner forces in response to a CWMD operation.

The Joint Operations Center Tactical Assault Kit (JOCTAK), is a windows-based software program that allows enhanced mission command. Its ability to aggregate and display the various data and information streams in a JOC allows flattened communications with the operational headquarters and interdepartmental interagency organizations.