Logistics of biomass supply involves an orderly flow of biomass from farm to factory. Figure 7.6 shows at least five options for the supply chain configurations to transfer baled biomass to biorefinery. In options 1 and 2, the baled biomass is transported directly from farm or from stacks next to the farm to the biorefinery. Biomass may be minimally processed (i. e., ground) before being shipped to the plant. In this case the biomass is generally supplied from the stacks where the biomass will be minimally processed. The biomass is trucked directly from farm to biorefinery if no processing is involved.

The supply options 3 and 4 transfer the biomass to a central location where the material is cumulated and dispatched to biorefinery later on. While in the depot, the biomass could be preprocessed minimally (i. e., ground) or extensively (pelletized). The depot also provides an opportunity to interface with rail or barge transport if that is an available option. The

choice of any of the options 1 to 5 depends on the economics and cultural practices. For example, in irrigated areas, there is always space on the farm (in unirrigated corners of the land in a center pivot irrigation scheme) where quantities of biomass can be stacked. In northern dry land farming, the farmer may allow storage of biomass on the field over winter until April but needs the land to seed the new crop.