Food, Water and Energy Resources Retreat

1. Food, Water and EnergyResources Retreat Stan Johnson, NCFAP

2. Response to Vice Chancellor Paul • Ideas that appear to have potential for major research programs at UNL. • Looking ahead to issues that will be on the research agenda. • Recognizing that UNL must address issues that are important to the constituents. • Understanding the capacities of UNL for research in selected areas.

3. Research Programs—two types • Cottage industry • Major initiatives of the University • There is a place for both

4. University Initiatives • Require time and careful planning • Require sharing of the risk • Different types of cost sharing • Time to initiate is long

5. Topics in Food, Water and Energy • Ideas on productive possibilities • Will almost surely be multi college • Could be multi-university • Should be undertaken with outside partners • Need a product that comes each year

6. Food • Climate change and food production • Food safety—emerging legislation • Food production systems • Value chain analysis for decisions

7. Climate Change and food Production • Soy and corn are the crops with resistance breading by the private sector • Many of the major crops of the Great Plains are at risk of climate change • Need to start now to address climate variability • Many of the leaders do not believe there is an impact of climate change • USDA/ARS and others are moving in this direction

8. Food Safety • Emerging legislation • New publication may be of interest “Cleaning and Disinfection in the Food Industry” • ISO versus detection of contaminates • No university is doing much in this area • Federal inconsistencies in jurisdiction

9. Food Production Systems • Great interest in food quality • Systems that can produce quality from farmer to consumer • Need for location specific suppliers • Look at “Whole Foods” • Many opportunities for production agriculture

10. Value Chain Analysis • Widely applied in sectors other than agriculture • Good technique to apply with industry representatives • Starts with the market and works backwards • Should be a part of any new industry activity

11. Water • Water scarcity, quality and quantity • Different types of rationing systems • Multi state agreements • Evolution with climate change

12. Water Scarcity, Quality and Quantity • Irrigated systems are at risk if operated on a farm by farm basis • Climate change and implications for water • Sprinklers and other systems • Population concentration and water use demands • Nebraska is a water scarce state

13. Different Types of Rationing Systems • Are current laws out of phase with demands • Rationing systems can improve the productivity for all farmers • How is the non agricultural systems served? • What are future demands and how are plans being made

14. Multi State Agreements • What is the available framework? • How can states work together? • What are the stakes? • How to manage use productively

15. Evolution and Climate Change • First evidence will be increased variability • Is the university up on the latest climate models • Impacts will be for both livestock and crops • Now is the time to plan

16. Energy • Move from grains to other feedstocks • Rural electric utilities as distributors • Conversion processes changing • Feedstock production requires water

17. Grains to Alternative Feedstocks • What are the alternative feedstocks for Nebraska? • What is the system for planning for alternative feedstocks? • Likely perennial grasses and perhaps Stover • Possible links to other universities involved in biofuels

18. Rural Electric Utilities as Distributors • Most rural utilities see themselves as suppliers • In future that will be distributors • Good for customers in the cooperative framework • Major issue through out the USA • Organizations are reluctant to do anything about it

19. Conversion Processes Changing • Thermo processes gaining in acceptance • Possible links to other universities • Prices will be different at different times of year—”Price Coherency Study”, implications for ag and energy industries • Conversion may be for different energy products

20. Feedstock Production Requires Water • Is Nebraska a good choice for feedstock production? • What is the tradeoff between agricultural and feedstock production? • Are there non competitive feedstock alternatives (MSW) • Important of long term planning

21. Combinations of Issues • Climate change • Landscape level analysis • Efficiency of supply • Changing demands due to population movement • Emerging technologies

22. Climate Change • Very popular in federal agencies • Important but take on variability first • Great Plains could be a hot spot—most production commodities do not benefit from genetic engineering • Have to convince the public leaders • Climate Centers of the DOI

23. Landscape level Analysis • Major efforts under way • Problems not addressed by local analysis • Examples of efforts GBEP LCC/DOI USDA Riparian Areas • Great Basin Environmental Program

24. Efficiency of Supply • Farmer owned systems • Start at the farm level and go to the consumer • Where is the money—between farm and consumer • Use advanced systems ad technologies • Use local identity

25. Changing Demands Due to Population Migration • Population dynamics are up there with Climate change and more pressing • In the Plains population dynamics lead to large cities and unpopulated rural areas • Must rural populations be always left behind • Are there new opportunities for governance

26. Emerging Technologies • Is agriculture taking advantage of new results and discoveries • Rural areas can benefit from digital tech possibilities • Efficiency of production systems can benefit as well • Landscape level analysis may lead to added adption

27. My Bets • Landscape level analysis • Energy supply and utilities as networks • Food systems and quality • Climate change but approached softly • Limitations in water availability

28. Thank You for Listening