Apr–Jun, 2010

Waseca, Minn. — Glycerin, a thick, syrupy byproduct of biodiesel production, may sweeten dairy operations. AURI-sponsored feeding trials at the University of Minnesota Southern Research and Outreach Center show glycerin…

Northfield, Minn. — It starts with a chicken. It ends with an enterprise. It’s Regi Haslett-Marroquin’s vision to help Latino farmers in southeast Minnesota become “agripreneurs” — self-sufficient members of…

Something old can be made new again. At AURI’s coproducts lab in Waseca, we take what once was called waste — vegetable peels, corn stalks, animal manure, ash, other leftovers…

A plucky little start-up company in Afton, Minn. is manufacturing natural red food dye, extracted from a new variety of purple corn grown in southwest Minnesota. Suntava is selling its…

The challenge with biochar is holding it all together. The fine, black soot-like material is a byproduct of biomass gasification. Biochar could be used as a coal substitute if it…

Thousands of years ago, the Indians of the Amazon River Basin improved their unproductive tropical soils by mixing in charcoal made from smoldering wood. Ancient terra preta — or “black…

Editor’s note: As a service to our readers, we provide news about the work of others in ag utilization. Often, research done elsewhere complements AURI’s work. Please note that ARS…

Marshall, Minn. — As populations change and grow, so do market demands. New meat cuts could help Minnesota beef and pork industries market to Latino populations and weight-conscious consumers. The…

While it is said that good things come to those who wait, often those who push the envelope benefit most. Minnesota has a rich history of envelope-pushers, with the likes…

Fergus Falls, Minn. — When business gets tough, creativity is key. Some west central Minnesota manufacturers are hoping they can unlock new markets with bioproducts. Harold Stanislawski, Fergus Falls Economic…