The BioCentury Research Farm, the first-in-the-nation research and demonstration facility devoted to biomass production and processing, was recently loaned two tractors for educational and research purposes.

Since Sept. 22, 2009, Iowa State’s research farm has been official and ready to take advantage of the 1,000 acres available to harvest.

The goal of the BioCentury Research Farm is to harvest, produce, store, analyze and transport locally-generated biofuels and biobased products like fumes or chemicals.

One of the more recent projects that the research farm has had is to help three plants in the Nevada, Iowa, area. Their goal is to produce about 700,000 stovers a year, which includes corn stalks, cobs and leaves.

This production takes lots of power and energy and with the right equipment it can be done efficiently and in a timely manner.

New Holland Agriculture, a top of the line agricultural company, wanted to get involved with Iowa State’s BioCentury Research Farm.

“They received a tour of our facility and were impressed with what they saw,” said Andy SubyCQ, manager of the BioCentury Research Farm. “They wanted to get involved.”

New Holland loaned two tractors to this ISU research farm. They provided two models — T5.115 and T8.330 — to be used for research and educational purposes.

“They wanted to get involved with what we are doing,” Suby said. “It is also a hands-on experience for our undergraduates that work here.”

In addition, New Holland is willing to switch out the tractors after every 200 hours of work and replace them free of charge.

“It’s a trade off,” Suby said. “They wanted to have the hands-on experience, and we receive good equipment for our research and provide educational opportunities.”

Suby also said that New Holland would like to be informed of the parameters that go on during the research period. This includes density rates, ratings of how the equipment works, product development and other information.

The BioCentury Research Farm continues to build private relationships with big companies so they can become more profitable, reliable and resourceful.

In the future, the research farm expects to have new projects to work on and hopes for new equipment provided from allies.

Suby said he hopes to make the system work economically and effectively for the community as a whole.

Scott WangsgardCQ, the biomass company specialist for New Holland Agriculture, is primarily in charge of the loaned tractors.

“We want to know how the machines work and how we can improve them,” Wangsgard said.

Wangsgard said that they knew Iowa State is “all-things-biomass,” so they knew with whom they were getting affiliated.

“It is good exposure in two ways — in the publicity aspect and the opportunity to work with this facility,” Wangsgard said.

Wangsgard also said that the reason why the tractors are switched after every 200 hours is because value goes down and the quality is diminished due to wear and tear.

Wangsgard believes if the number of tractors in the field increases, so will the demand for farmers, which will ultimately benefit the economy and the community.