University of Kentucky (UK) College of Agriculture researchers have been studying the use of non-corn biomass crops. They will share information during a March 13 symposium at the Maysville Community and Technical College. The theme is "Ethanol From Hay and Other Biomass Crops: Do They Make Sense for Northeastern Kentucky?"

Speakers will include Ray Smith, UK forage extension specialist; Tom Keene, hay marketing specialist; ag engineers Mike Montross and Scott Shearer; Chad Lee, grain crops extension specialist; John Seymour, co-owner of Roundstone Native Seed, LLC; Jim Shipp, Spurlock manager of East Kentucky Power Cooperative; and Mark Coffman, director of projects and engineering at Alltech Biotechnology. Topics will include storage, processing and transportation issues; opportunities and costs of removing crop residue; burning biomass for electricity; and conversion from grass to energy.

The free symposium will run from 8 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. and advance registration is not necessary. Contact Smith for more information at 859-257-3358 or raysmity1@uky.edu.