Jul–Sep, 2011

AURI is launching Minnesota’s first Rural Cooperative Development Center, with help from a $225,000 U.S. Department of Agriculture grant. The AURI Center will “help start-ups or existing cooperatives understand the…

It was worth a second look. A 2007 Kansas study found that adding distillers grains, an ethanol byproduct, to cattle feed could increase the prevalence of E.coli in beef. But…

Crookston, Minn. — Like farm animals, anaerobic digesters perform best when fed the right diet. An AURI initiative is giving northwest Minnesota processors a better idea of what’s on the…

They mushroom every fall — great domes of grain covered with immense sheets of plastic. Millions of bushels of newly-harvested corn, soybeans and wheat are stored outdoors at elevators all…

Minneapolis, Minn. — Kindred Kitchen gives aspiring entrepreneurs a chance to try out their food product idea in a commercial kitchen before plunging into the marketplace. The food business incubator…

For years, most businesses considered ag processing leftovers nothing more than waste. Now some of those businesses are looking at novel ways to capture revenue from those “waste” streams. Here,…

Syrup power University of Rhode Island researchers have discovered a maple syrup compound called quebecol, named for the Canadian province that leads the world in maple syrup production. Extracts have…

AURI’s greatest strengths is wisdom from years of experience. Our staff of scientists, project directors and administrators have worked for decades to develop innovative uses for agricultural products, improve processes and identify trends. Their understanding comes from working hands-on with agri-processors, businesses and entrepreneurs who are in the field, forging new enterprises and opportunities. Not all have been successful, but each venture yields knowledge.

Benson, Minn. — North American Fertilizer is AURI’s 2011 Ag Innovator of the Year. The award was presented at a June 16 AURI board of directors luncheon in Benson. AURI…