Building on Minnesota Biofuels

by Doug Root, Ph.D                                                                                                                                  

AURI Senior Scientist 

Few things cause people more angst on a regular basis than pulling their vehicle up to the fuel pump for a fill. High prices have negatively impacted nearly everyone’s budget as gasoline prices approached or topped four dollars a gallon. Even though prices have slowly dropped in recent weeks, most of us know that high energy costs are likely to be with us for the long haul.

While high petroleum prices are generally unwelcome, they do again draw people’s focus to the pursuit of alternative energy sources. It should come as no surprise that Minnesota is heavily involved in the production of biofuels and in the development of new energy possibilities.

Biofuels are not only tools for creating alternative energy; they are also economic development drivers. Most ethanol and biodiesel plants are in rural areas, creating jobs and economic activity in and around the communities where they are established. On a recent trip to an Iowa biofuels plant, U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack reiterated support for current federal programs for biofuels and rural economic development.

Minnesota’s biofuels industry has been a national leader and continues to be a source for innovation and advancement. EverCat Fuels in Isanti has developed a novel process for producing biodiesel. Agri-Energy of Luverne is being converted from an ethanol plant to a biobutanol facility, ushering in the next generation of biofuel possibilities.

While Minnesota may have a bit of a leg up on some other states when it comes to biofuels development, there is interest and activity taking place nationwide. Biodiesel and “green diesel” are focuses of the American Oilseed Chemists Society, a group made up of scientists and researchers from around the world. Oregon has joined Minnesota as the second state requiring the use of biodiesel blends in their on-road fuels.

One of the best venues to discover what is happening in Minnesota’s renewable energy industry is to participate in the Renewable Energy Roundtable. Facilitated by AURI but comprised of representatives of more than 200 organizations including universities, state agencies and more, the Roundtable brings together the resources and expertise of people who are committed to moving Minnesota’s renewable energy industry forward. The next Roundtable gathering takes place June 17^th at MinnWest Technology Campus in Willmar.

For more information on this or innovative agriculture topics, give us a call at the AURI Marshall office at (507) 537-7440 or visit us online at www.auri.org.

Building Cooperative Capacity

by Denny Timmerman, AURI Project Development Director

Minnesota has a long and successful history in developing cooperatives. Whether it is an electrical cooperative, food coop, credit union, telephone service provider or agricultural processing cooperative, it is a business structure that allows for many people to have ownership in a venture. Owned and governed by its customers, cooperatives often offer opportunities to groups of people that aren’t afforded to individuals.

In Minnesota, agricultural cooperatives were among the first developed and they continue to this day in areas such as dairy processing, ethanol production, even aquaculture. A recently awarded USDA grant is helping AURI boost our capacity for helping agricultural cooperatives in the state.

The Rural Cooperative Development grant will help AURI provide greater scientific technical assistance, project facilitation and organizational development assistance to new and existing cooperatives in the areas of local food marketing and distribution, dairy processing, livestock feed processing, food processing and renewable energy. AURI is adding capacity to assist in the development of cooperatives with a new level of emphasis on feasibility and business development.

Cooperatives are still a very effective way for producers to collectively organize in order to accomplish more than they could as individuals. Working with cooperatives isn’t new for AURI because many of our current clients are cooperatives, but we now have greater resources to assist in planning and development efforts.

Several AURI project development staff members have received additional training in cooperative development. AURI has also joined a network of cooperative development specialists to gain more insight to better serve emerging agricultural cooperatives.

For more information on what AURI can offer to cooperative development or to the creation of new and innovative uses for agricultural products, give us a call at (507) 537-7440 or visit us online at www.auri.org.  

Meat Sans Salt

By Carissa Nath

AURI Meat Scientist 

We’ve all probably sat down to a meal with someone who showers their food with a layer of salt before they even taste it. While that is up to individual tastes, many food manufacturers are working hard to reduce salt and other ingredients in their products.

Minnesota’s meat processors are striving to meet consumer desire for products made with more natural or even fewer ingredients—also known as having cleaner labels. Because excess sodium has been linked to such health concerns as hypertension, stroke and kidney disease, it is one of the ingredients health-conscious consumers target first.

The challenge with reducing sodium in processed meat products is that it does more than just provide saltiness. Salt enhances flavors, helps extend shelf life and creates a bind between proteins so the product holds together. Reducing sodium in meat products sometimes is a detriment to the quality and taste of products consumers have come to expect. Consumers may want the reduced salt but be disappointed in how the products taste and feel because there’s less salt.

Meat processors are changing their formulations to meet consumer tastes by using such items as sodium replacers, flavor enhancers or by reducing the amount of salt in recipes. To do so without negatively affecting the quality or the taste of the meat product presents a challenge. More and more food ingredient suppliers are offering lower sodium spice blends or alternative ingredients to help processors make the kind of items consumers want.

University of Minnesota Extension Meat Specialist Ryan Cox and I presented information on reduced sodium meat formulations at the recent Minnesota Association of Meat Processors convention. More information and alternative reduced sodium formulations will be tested at a value added meat processing seminar in August.

AURI operates a meat processing laboratory in Marshall designed to help the state’s meat processors develop and test new products. For more information on what we do, visit www.auri.org or call us at (507) 537-7440. 

Fantastic plastic

By Dennis Timmerman

AURI

The phrase “paper or plastic” is taking on a whole new meaning these days.

Plastics made from plants rather than petroleum are gaining market share around the globe. Derived from renewable biomass such as soy protein, cornstarch and cellulose, bioplastics are used in almost every polymer product category, from medical devices to building materials. Most, but not all, are biodegradable.

While bioplastics grab market headlines today, they are not new. Henry Ford used soy-based paints, enamels and molded plastics for the steering wheel, dashboard and knobs in his first Model T. 

Celluloid, a polymer made by treating plant-based cellulose, was invented in the 1860s. It was used in hairpieces, buttons, jewelry and other items as an ivory replacement. But the early plastic was highly flammable and replaced with petro-based polymers in the 1950s. 

When cheap petro-plastics took over the polymer marketplace more than a half-century ago, environmental issues were not a consumer priority. Today, concerns about pollution, landfill demands and the energy used to manufacture disposable plastics, are driving consumer demand for renewable products.

Those concerns are also fueling new opportunities for ag-based products to enter new markets. Incorporating bioproducts into product lines could be a new revenue stream for Minnesota manufacturers. The greatest opportunities are in pressure-sensitive adhesives, foam, hardened plastics, packaging and some non-load-bearing molded products.

A growing number of Minnesota companies are getting in on the act and are already incorporating bio-based plastics into products like windows and doors, docks, furniture, and food packaging. There is tremendous opportunity to use bio-based plastics in even more products. But as with any emerging industry, some hurdles must first be cleared.

Most bio-based plastics don’t have the same properties as petroleum plastics and price for equivalent plastics tend to favor the petroleum based materials. However, many research organizations, including AURI are working to minimize the differences, decrease production costs, and make bioplastics more attractive than ever.

Making Connections

One of the biggest challenges for any organization, particularly smaller ones, is outreach. It’s important to let consumers, stakeholders, supporters or the general public know what you are up to. Sometimes the best way to do that is in person.

For nearly every year of our existence, AURI has participated in Farmfest. For almost the past two decades that event has been held near Redwood Falls. This year, as in years past, our exhibit featured a mix of AURI information, product examples, new information and AURI clients who showcased their products. This invariably leads to good conversations about what is new in value-added agriculture, where the future seems to be headed, questions about where the next opportunity lies and lively discussions about policy.

The Minnesota State Fair is another event that brings millions together. While agriculture isn’t necessarily the first thing most fair goers think of, it is all around them. Surveys have shown that most people come to the State Fair for food and entertainment. Since food is from agriculture, it stands to reason that agriculture should be important to them.

One of the events at the 2010 State Fair that visitors should attend is the Minnesota Cooks event on August 31 at Carousel Park. Organized by Minnesota Farmers Union and supported in part by AURI, this event brings local chefs together to prepare unique dishes made from farm products grown or raised by Minnesota farmers.

Whether they think about it or not, everyone who eats is a fan of agriculture. Events like Farmfest and the State Fair offer the chance for the non-ag public to connect with those whose livelihood comes from the farm. 

Of Cats & Corn

Of Cats and Corn

Most weeks at AURI are interesting, but some are just a bit more memorable.

On June 16, we had a four person crew from Animal Planet here working on a segment for the show Must Love Cats. AURI coproducts guru Alan Doering and fellow scientist Kevin Hennessy have tested a variety of agricultural products for use as animal litters. This includes corn, wheat as well as coproducts. 

For the better part of a day, the crew followed Al around and shot video of various tests that AURI scientists have conducted to determine odor control properties, clumping ability, sorbency and a wide range of other characteristics. It will be interesting to see how the segment captures the work.

From what we have been told, the show is supposed to air on Animal Planet sometime in January of 2011.

Also this week AURI presented our annual Ag Innovator of the Year Award to Suntava. This company produces a deep purple corn that is grown in southwest Minnesota. From the grain, Suntava extracts the pigment for use as a food and beverage colorant as well as a nutraceutical ingredient. They also utilize the meal for chips and tortillas.

 

As part of the award presentation, we were able to tour their facility in St. Paul. It is amazing how many food items contain artificial colorants. The Suntava colorant very closely mirrors the color profile of red dye #40, which is the industry standard but is derived from refined petroleum. It is easily water soluble and looks amazing. The future looks very bright for this innovative Minnesota company that is moving agricultural products into a whole new place. 

Recognizing Innovation

Recognizing Innovation

It often seems as though agriculture gets short changed when it comes to the value that it contributes to economic growth and activity. While it may lack some of the star power of devices like medical devices or computer components, don’t misunderstand the value of what agriculture provides.

Far beyond providing the basic food and fiber needs of our society, agriculture and ag processing are major economic drivers for Minnesota and many other states. These industries provide jobs and dollars to be spent. This is the lifeblood of most rural communities.

Innovations have moved agricultural items into exciting places including the energy world. Renewable fuels such as biodiesel, ethanol, methane gas and other ag-based energy sources have spurred development benefiting rural communities and agriculture at the same time.

New innovations are creating new opportunities for agricultural products in areas such as bio-based plastics, next generation biofuels, new food products and more. These innovations are also helping ag processing leftovers not be viewed as waste products, but as additional revenue streams.

Each year AURI recognizes an Ag Innovator of the Year. This is presented to an AURI client who has shown innovation in their product or process, has entered the marketplace and holds the potential to utilize significant amounts of agricultural products or ingredients. We will be presenting the 2010 award on June 17 to a Minnesota company that AURI has worked with and identified as an example of an innovative company that is moving agriculture into exciting new places.