Files
Abstract
Since the 1940s, kenaf has been viewed as a potential source of fiber, mainly for
newsprint and high quality paper. Kenaf research has once again risen to the
forefront due to the recent USDA tobacco buyout. Many states and farmers
dependent upon tobacco revenues have been seeking alternative crops for a
number of years. This study seeks to expand the current literature by examining
the economic feasibility of growing kenaf within three counties in Tennessee.
Nitrogen meta-yield response functions for kenaf and four traditional crops were
developed for 30 soils through crop growth simulation modeling and used to
compare optimal crop budgets for each soil. Results reveal that kenaf would not
compete favorably with traditional crops on any soil at prices below $49/ton, while
profit-maximizing farmers could supply as much as 1,385,700 tons of kenaf if the
price were $55/ton.