Apr–Jun, 2014

–by Liz Morrison Soaring hay prices sparked innovation at a Raymond, Minn., feed company. Short supplies of alfalfa and skyrocketing prices forced Minnesota Valley Alfalfa Producers (MnVAP) to cut production…

–by Liz Morrison A Benson, Minn., ethanol maker hopes a customer loyalty program will encourage owners of flex fuel vehicles to choose the yellow pump. Chippewa Valley Ethanol Company (CVEC)…

–by Jonathan Eisenthal With the slogan “Build Muscle Not Fat,” Kay’s Naturals mini-meal snack bags have won their way into medical weight loss programs and the aisles of major drug…

When he joined forces with AURI, Grand Rapids, Minn., entrepreneur Steve Olds had 150 distributors and had sold about 26,000 bottles of Steve’s Pepper Sauce. Since beginning work with AURI…

To help food manufacturers in their product development, various organizations, marketing consultants and food experts identify trends. Following are predictions for key food product trends that you may well see leading the way in 2014.

Jimmy Gosse, Ph.D., joined AURI’s staff as microbiologist in February. He will work primarily out of AURI’s lab in Crookston, Minn., Gosse aims to improve and expand the ways in…

Those who may stereotype rural life as slow-moving and resistant to change need only look at the changes in the agriculture economy in the last year to see that change is happening quickly. Rural and urban agribusinesses and producers are needing to adapt deftly to sustain and grow their businesses for the future.

–by Ashley Harguth Corn oil lowers cholesterol Corn oil significantly reduces cholesterol with more favorable changes in cholesterol than extra virgin olive oil. Among the people in the feeding study,…

–by Amanda Wanke The USDA awarded AURI a Rural Cooperative Development Grant (RCDG) of $200,000 for fiscal year 2014. The grant, which AURI will match with $70,000, will help several…