ELSEWHERE
in ag innovations
BY DAN LEMKE
CARTOONS © UNCLE HYGGLY / POUNCE.COM
Editors note:
Elsewhere provides news from around the globe on new uses
for agricultural products. Please note that ARS is the
research arm of USDA.
Sweetened plastic
Sugar-beet pulp may cut the cost of biodegradable plastic,
according to ARS researchers. About 40 million tons of pulp,
a fibrous sugar-beet processing coproduct, is generated in
the United States each year and primarily used in livestock
and pet foods. Researchers are converting sugar-beet pulp
into a polylactic-acid plastic filler. PLA is a natural
alternative to petroleum-based plastics like polypropylene
because it has similar technical properties but is
biodegradable. Because producing PLA from fermented corn
sugars is complex and costly, using cheaper pulp-derived
fillers could reduce PLA’s cost.
From: USDA ARS
March 12, 2008
Colorful cabbage
Plant pigments called anthocyanins provide fruits and
vegetables with distinctive blue, red and purple coloring.
ARS research into anthocyanins’ affect on the human body
suggests the pigments may protect against cancer, improve
brain function and promote heart health. Previous studies
have shown that some anthocyanins yield twice the
antioxidant power of vitamin C.
From: USDA-ARS
February 28,
2008
Oceans of opportunity
Tons of American soybeans are destined for a watery end
—food for the world’s aquaculture industry. Soybean leaders
say fishmeal is becoming scarce, creating opportunities to
use soy meal in fish, shrimp and shellfish feed. Aquaculture
is the fastest growing animal feed producing sector,
consuming meal from more than 250 million bushels of
soybeans annually. Raising fish in huge floating cages in
the
ocean is on the increase, and Americans now consume about 16
pounds of fish and shellfish each year. One aquaculture
company official says about $7.5 billion worth of soybeans
could go to aquaculture.
woundedcoot.com
From:
United Soybean Board
April 28, 2008
Peanuts pasture
Forget alfalfa. For southern U.S. farmers, perennial peanuts
may be the best forage option. After morethan 50 years of
research, the rhizoma perennial peanut is now considered by
many growers to be the best perennial warm-weather legume
for southern states. The peanut is well adapted to the lower
South, where its nutritional-quality, persistence and broad
use are making it a staple pasture and hay crop — at a
fraction of alfalfa’s cost.
From:
USDA-ARS
March 3, 2008
woundedcoot.com
Biodiesel card
The National Biodiesel Foundation unveiled the first-ever
biodiesel fuel card at the Mid- America Trucking Show. The
BioTrucker Fuel Card highlights 151 truck stops that carry
biodiesel and is accepted at 5,000 truck accessible retail
locations across the United States. The card can be used for
fuel, cash advances, repairs and other road expenses.
Truckers and fleets pay cash price on all fuel and no
transaction fee for biodiesel at in-network truck stops.
Also, three stops are offering a two-cent discount at the
pump for BioTrucker Fuel Card holders.
From: Biodiesel Bulletin
April 2008
Firefighting
wool
An ARS scientist has discovered and patented a
heat-resistant material that can be added to wool and other
fabrics to match the flame resistance of commercial
firefighter uniforms. Wool, less susceptible to burning than
synthetic fibers, is ideal for firefighting and military
uniforms. Unlike synthetic fibers that can bead and drip on
the skin when burned, wool produces a soft ash.
From: USDA-ARS
May 1, 2008
Soy transformers
This year, all new electrical transformers in Xcel Energy’s
eight-state service territory are being filled with
100-percent soybean oil, replacing petroleum-based mineral
oil, the industry standard. Food-grade soy-oil liquid is
being used in new single-phase transformers for residential
and light-commercial use.
From:
Xcel Energy
October 16, 2007
|
