BTU ratings for Bamboo ?

[Versatile]

Does anyone have any general ratings?
The reason i ask is:
A company that is local to me(Mo) has started producing pellets for heating stoves. They buy corn stover
(stalks) for $40 per ton and will use old hay etc depending on the BTU rating it has. This makes me wonder if they would be interested in dried bamboo. I understand that it takes 3-5 yrs to get established. Combine this with it being used for erosion control in areas that do not produce anything; maybe there might be some dollars in the future for a large farmer.
Thanks in advance.

[ghmerrill]

Not sure that bamboo would be a good crop for pellets... bamboo gets its rigidity from silica that is in its wood, which may make it unsuitable. Get a hold of that company, and ask if they would be interested, that would be a start. maybe they could test it out for you.

[sasa fool]

The Malay word for bamboo is the same as for 'explosion or boom'. Unless the canes are cut in between the nodes, and no nodes are burned no problem but they really POP BANG EXPLODE SPARK when burned whole! I burn culled culms on the firepit for the entertainment value and the neighbors down the road thought I was setting off firecrackers so be careful!