AURI in 1997
Highlights of a busy year

Fit the mold

Applied Technology Development

Applied Technology Development furthers research into potential new crop uses. In 1997, eleven projects obtained $520,000 from AURI for further research into crop uses. The projects are also supported by grants from other sources.

One project, a collaboration with the Minnesota Soybean Growers Association, is an effort to develop biodegradable, compostable polymers to be injection -molded into disposable articles. The polymers will contain soy proteins or flour.

According to Mrinal Bhattacharya of the University of Minnesota, the research will provide basic engineering know-how for protein-synthetic polymer blends which can successfully compete with traditional plastics. An estimated 10 to 12 billion pounds of soybeans could be used annually.

Songbird feast

Initial Product Assessments

Initial Product Assessments test the technical and economic feasibility of new products or technologies. Seven Initial Product Assessments, $105,000 in all, were awarded in 1997.

By expending a small amount for promotion, test marketing, surveys and so forth, AURI can help entrepreneurs determine if projects merit more investment; successful projects often apply for participation in AURI's Partnership program. Among these this year was A&N Corporation, maker of Feeding Time molded birdseed shapes.

A&N produces premium birdseed cakes to feed songbirds. The cakes, which hang on trees, are made from grains such as corn, milo and sunflowers for retail markets. Production facilities in Isanti can make 600 cakes per hour.

Through the shell

Partnerships

AURI Partnerships help move new products and processes from concept to commercialization in the marketplace. In 1997, nine Partnerships were developed, supported by more than $880,000 of AURI funds.

One of the outstanding recipients is ViroGen, Inc. This Eden Prairie biopharmaceutical startup manufactures and markets an in-the-egg poultry vaccine against Newcastle Disease. By injecting through the shell, chicks develop complete immunity to the disease within seven to 14 days after hatching.

ViroGen is setting up production in Elk River and plans to create 12 to 15 jobs in its first two years. The broiler egg market in the United States is approaching 10 billion eggs annually, and ViroGen has a ready market -- 75 percent of producers now use an Inovoject system to vaccinate chicken embryos for Marek's Disease, another poultry threat.

Beating the bushes

New Markets

The New Markets program is targeted to commodity and farm organizations. Through research and development funding, AURI accelerates market openings for Minnesota agricultural commodities or alternative crops. Six projects received a total of more than $151,000 in 1997.

One effort is researching the potential for growing hybrid hazels in Minnesota. The United States imports most of its hazelnuts, also called filberts, from Turkey. Generally, hazelnuts are grown on trees, but hazel trees have difficulty in Minnesota's harsh climate. Geneticist Philip Rutter of Fillmore County has cross-bred hazel trees with Minnesota-tolerant wild hazel bushes to get a high-production hybrid bush.

Rutter and University of Minnesota scientists are analyzing his 20 years of data on hazel bushes and studying on-farm seedling survival and growth.

Chicory cash

Marketing Assistance

Marketing is perhaps the foremost issue for nearly every producer and small business. AURI provides marketing assistance to further the potential of Minnesota-grown crops. In 1997, more than $15,000 was distributed to assist in marketing efforts.

For example, AURI purchased a market assessment for chicory, a root plant with potential nutraceutical uses. And several clients with environmental products received help to market their wares at the National Marketplace for the Environment, a "green" consumer-oriented trade show in Washington, D.C.

Safer meat

Technical Assistance

It's the combination of research with financial support that sets AURI apart. The AURI technical staff provides invaluable research and advice for businesses and entrepreneurs, most at little or no cost to them.

Over the past year, AURI staff worked with companies on nutrition issues, meat safety training, biodiesel testing, product development, aquaculture research and much more. As just one example of technical assistance, AURI has opened a meat lab at just the right time to help food processors with USDA's HACCP food safety programs.

Weeds to burn

Pesticide Reduction Options

The PRO program funds research and demonstrations directed at reducing the petroleum-based chemicals used in farm production. Six projects totaling $159,000 were funded during 1997. The two-year studies involve researchers from universities, farms and commodity groups.

Projects include low-cost remediation of mixed pesticide spills, impact of leafhopper resistant alfalfa, and reducing severity of wild rice diseases. Research will begin to yield measurable results in a year from now.

Three previous rounds of AURI-supported projects have promoted practices which contribute to rural environmental and economic health. One is the demonstration project of Al Sterner and Jean Peterson of Delano. They found using a flame-throwing propane torch to burn off weeds in onion fields is economical and practical. Propane costs are only $10/acre, compared to herbicides at about $25/acre.