01/30/07 Ethanol from straw

Duane Grant is a Rupert farmer and chairman of the Straw Value Add Committee, a consortium of 85 southeastern Idaho growers who want to see a straw bio-refinery built. Mention wheat and barley straw, cellulose material, and Canadian based Iogen comes to mind. Grant says Iogen is the preferred customer. GRANT "But if Iogen doesn't come to southeastern Idaho we're going to go looking for another customer because we've got a resource that is a great product for a cellulosic buyer." Grant's group just wrapped up what was a three year study that focused on several issues. Growers had to prove they could annually deliver 800 thousand tons of straw to Iogen. Then they needed to figure the cost of collecting, storing and transporting the straw. GRANT "We've determined what the most efficient equipment mix is, how much money it will take to put that equipment into the field." Grant says they envision using 4x4x8 one ton balers to gather up the straw on a ¼ section by ¼ section basis and then bringing a tub grinder to the field to powder the straw before it's shipped out. But the study is based on 2003 fuel prices. More to the story tomorrow. Voice of Idaho Agriculture Bill Scott