Jul–Sep, 2007

Need fosters innovation — whether it’s approaching a problem from a different perspective or creating something new. Innovation in large companies generally comes from research and development divisions that generate…

  The cost of chowing down is going up. High corn prices — driven by exploding ethanol demand — have pushed up livestock feed costs. That’s prompting farmers to look…

Today, animal agriculture is the largest U.S. corn consumer. But as ethanol production rises in the coming decade, corn processing for fuel and sweeteners will surpass livestock feed, according to…

Plainview, Minn. — City inspectors in Austin, Minn., were suspicious. The gas meter at one home didn’t register any natural gas use. Assuming the meter was faulty, they visited the…

Marshall, Minn. — A new product idea can only succeed if the research bears it out. Glycerin, as a renewable fuel, didn’t pass the test. Rose Patzer, a chemist who…

It takes energy to serve up a good, healthy meal. You may have chemical-free beef, broccoli and potatoes on your plate, but petro likely helped them to the table. “Americans…

As west central Minnesota’s population steadily declines, so do farm profits. In 2002, 34 percent of the farms reported net losses, even with federal subsidies. But if the region’s consumers…

Waseca, Minn. — Being called “dense” is not a compliment — unless you’re biomass. Interest in biomass energy is growing nationwide. Power plants are evaluating corn stover, native grasses, straw…

Waseca, Minn. — The information age is thriving in the agricultural industry, as evidenced by traffic surges to www.auri.org. “Every month there are tens of thousands of visitors to the…

Editors note: As a service to our readers, we provide news from around the globe on new uses for agricultural products. Please note that ARS is the research arm of…

Waseca, Minn. — Biomass-pellet stoves are popular with home owners and with large industrial complexes. But another opportunity lies somewhere in between. Many light-industrial or on-farm uses may be ideal…

St. Joseph, Minn. — USA Solutions, designer of cornstalk-based hog mats, was presented the 2007 Ag Innovator of the Year Award by the AURI Board of Directors on June 21.…

  1. One bushel of corn roughly equals how much energy? a. 5 gallons of liquid propane b. 3.5 gallons of fuel oil c. 140-kilowatt hours of electricity d. All…