Aakre: Farm-scale biodiesel plant could be useful someday

CROOKSTON, Minn. (AP) - If oil prices continue to climb or commodity prices adjust down, professor Paul Aakre of the University of Minnesota, Crookston has a pretty good idea how farmers can save money on diesel fuel. He's putting together a farm scale seed-to-fuel biodiesel plant.

''What we're trying to show here is the potential of a farm-scale press that you could use to produce your own fuel and your own feed products,'' says the program manager for the school's Agriculture Management Systems department.

While farm-sized ethanol mixers have been available on the market for years, there have been few options for farmers to press their own seed for the oils used by the mixer, so there still were some middleman costs in the way of a farmer producing his or her own ethanol. Aakre's system adds value back to the raw seed, producing oil for the fuel as well as valuable meal for use as a livestock protein supplement.

This is obviously not the size you'd find in industry, but it could be the size you'd find on a farm, or with a group of farmers that get together,'' he says, adding that his system has produced more than 600 gallons of oil in the last two weeks.

He envisions groups of farmers pooling their resources for a setup like his, and sharing the feed and fuel. Meantime, his project is generating a lot of interest, both public and private - all in the name of strengthening rural economies.

''This is a pretty big project because we're also dealing with the agronomy department down in St. Paul and the Northwest Minnesota Canola Growers are involved,'' he says. ''We're also working with an organization called Northwest Regional Development, who work with a lot of different projects on trying to stimulate local economies by doing things such as this.''

A standard hopper feeds canola seed through two gated funnels into two small presses. Manufactured in Germany by Oekotec, each draws in the seed with an auger and compresses it until the oils are forced out into a trough which feeds into one of three large containers. The first tank is used as a settling tank. Once the impurities settle to the bottom, the remaining oil is pumped to another container, ready to be mixed as biodiesel.

''There are a lot of impurities in this stuff that are settling out,'' Aakre says. ''It's a pre-filtering process, so you get 99 percent of (impurities) out of the oil. The final filtration is going to be your filter on your truck before it goes into your injection pump.''

Approximately 30 pounds of oil are pressed from 100 pounds of canola seed, and the remaining 70 pounds become meal pellets.

Canola is not the only crop that can be made into biodiesel. With a minor modification the University of Minnesota-Crookston's system also can handle soybeans and sunflower.

''You use a bigger auger for soybeans and sunflower,'' says undergraduate student Jade Estling, who works with Aakre under a university research grant.

The remaining canola meal is forced through a 6-millimeter (0.24 inch) die and into a bin. A heated collar, which runs at 150 degrees Fahrenheit, is clamped onto the end of each press head to help turn meal into pellets.

Aakre has sent samples of the pellets to various laboratories for testing. North Dakota State University's nutrition lab has tested them for nutritional value.

''We're talking mostly protein value, but the fat value in the feed adds energy,'' Aakre says. ''It's also a good source of phosphorus and potassium, for maintaining bones and structure of an animal. It's certainly important in the diet.''

Soybean meal has been the traditional feed supplement in areas where it is grown, but that doesn't mean that canola has no market as a supplement.

''Up in Canada, where soybeans are not so plentiful, canola has been a very common feed additive,'' he says.

Several studies have been performed, comparing soybean meal with canola meal as protein supplements in dairy and beef cattle and as starters for calves. While there are some differences in the nutrients present in the two seeds, a protein supplement report by NDSU Extension Service beef cattle specialist Greg Lardy indicates canola is an effective protein supplement.

''Canola meal appears to be a good source of supplemental protein for beef cattle,'' he says in the report. ''Canola meal is an effective supplement for nursing calves, growing and finishing cattle and beef cows. Decisions on the use of canola meal in beef cattle operations should be based on cost and availability of competing protein supplements.''

The canola pellets also can be used as a fuel source for heating, though it is worth more right now as a feed supplement. A sample was sent for testing to Agricultural Utilization Research Institute's oils laboratory in Marshall.

According to Aakre, most organic materials contain about 8,000 Btu's (British thermal units) per pound, including wood pellets.

The canola pellets generated 8,766 Btu's at the Agricultural Utilization Research Institute's oils lab.

He also had his brother, who uses a corn-burning furnace in his house, do some unofficial testing. Aakre's brother reported no problems with the grain auger lifting the pellets to the burner and that the heating was acceptable.

Aakre now is working with a wood furnace manufacturer to test the efficiency of canola pellets in its burners.

Still, wood is cheaper to burn, as long as canola prices hover at current highs.

''You can go to Menards today and pick up a bag of wood pellets,'' Aakre says. ''It might be a combination of soft wood and hard wood, and you'll pay less than $4'' for a 40-pound bag.

He estimates the canola pellets to be worth about 13 cents a pound, not including the cost of the equipment to make it.

Aakre is the first to admit that canola seed still is worth more as a commodity than a fuel.

Farm Scale Biodiesel Project Starting This Fall at U of M, Crookston

The U of M, Northwest Regional Sustainable Development Partnership (NWSDP) hosted several visitors in mid November to discuss the Farm Scale Biodiesel Project that will be starting up at the U of M, Crookston later this fall. The project will look at opportunities for individual farmers or farm groups to explore the opportunity to produce their own biodiesel from crops like canola and sunflower. Ag Systems Management and Agronomy double major Jade Estling, Roosevelt, Minn., received a U of M, Crookston UROP grant to operate the pilot plant that will conduct the testing and research. His work will determine if pellet byproducts of the crushed seeds could be used for animal feed or as a source of biomass that could be burned in one of several types of stoves manufactured in Northwest Minnesota. This project was initiated by several canola growers in northwestern Minnesota. 

Pictured l to r: economic developer Mike Moore, Thief River Falls, Minn.; U of M, Crookston student Jade Estling, Roosevelt, Minn.; Mike Triplett, White Earth Tribal Planning Council; Jim Steenerson, Northwest Minnesota Foundation; and Derek Crompton, U of M Extension, Roseau, Minn.

UMC Student and Professor Present Study Information in Fargo, ND

University of Minnesota, Crookston sophomore Henry Raymond Pinta, an agronomy and agricultural systems management major from Grafton, N.D., joined Assistant Professor Paul Aakre to present at the 2007 American Society of Agricultural Engineers and Canadian Society for Bioengineering North Central Intersectional Conference at Fargo, N.D., held in mid-October.
Pinta presented the research he has done as part of his Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP) grant entitled “First Experiences with a Solar Powered Watering System for Cattle.” The research involves the watering of a herd of 160 head of beef cattle on a ranch near Minto, N.D.
Aakre’s presentation was entitled “Psychrometric Instructional Package.” Psychrometrics is the relationship of the physical and thermal properties of an air-vapor mixture. The PowerPoint presentation is useful for students in understanding crop drying and livestock building ventilation or home heating and cooling problems.

UMC Agriculture Mechanics Team Takes First Place in National Agriculture Competition

CROOKSTON, MN (May 5, 2006) – The University of Minnesota, Crookston (UMC) Agriculture Mechanics team took first place in their field at the annual North American Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture (NACTA) competition held this year at Western Illinois University (WIU) at Macomb, IL. The Agriculture Mechanics team was one of nine teams from UMC that participated in the competition.

The Agriculture Mechanics contest included welding, surveying, building construction, electrical wiring and controls, and power and machinery. UMC student Brian Shaw, Ulen, MN, was high individual overall.

UMC students also took home the overall Sweepstakes Award for the entire competition. UMC teams competed in specific categories and earned the most points in the division for four-year colleges and universities.

The University of Minnesota, Crookston (UMC) is a four-year baccalaureate degree granting institution, dedicated to learning, discover and engagement in the northwest region. To learn more, visit www.UMCrookston.edu.

Crops College to Focus on On-Farm Biodiesel Use and Corn, Alfalfa and Sunflower Production Issues on Dec. 19, 2006, at U of M Crookston November 16, 2006

CROOKSTON, MN (November 15, 2006) – On-farm biodiesel production, varietal seed selection, fertilizer and pest management and crop economics and production are all part of Crops College 2006 scheduled for Tues., Dec. 19, 2006, at the University of Minnesota, Crookston (UMC).  

Growers interested in the latest on corn,alfalfa/forage and sunflower production, including marketing, storage and handling, as well as what’s happening on the biodiesel front, should sign up for the one-day college to be held from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Check in at the Student Center on campus, 2900 University Avenue, Crookston, Minn.  

Seating is limited, especially in the lab sessions, and pre-registration is strongly encouraged. Early registration by December 12 costs $40. Registration at the door is $50. Lunch is included. University of Minnesota students are invited to attend free of charge. Registration forms and program details are posted online at http://www.umcrookston.edu/events/cropscollege/registration06.pdf or call 218-281-8027 for more info.  

“This type of educational program has been popular in the past, since it includes both lectures and hands-on lab experiences,” says Crops College Co-chair Char Hollingsworth, U of M plant pathologist. “Participants will have the opportunity to examine plants at different points of development and learn about the appropriate management activities that go on at the various growth stages.” Crops are already being grown to get ready for the Crops College classes.   A special focus on biodiesel production and engine performance begins with the keynote address: “Food or Fuel:  Should it Matter to Farmers?” presented by Mike Hergert, farm broadcaster with the Red River Farm Network. Sessions throughout the day will examine biodiesel production, utilization and the economics of on-farm manufacturing.  

Farm Business and Production Management Instructor Kim Odden from Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College will be bringing on-farm equipment that runs on and produces biodiesel for demonstration and examination. Participants will get to talk with individuals who have experience using the equipment on their own farm and producing biodiesel. The pros and cons of being a biodiesel producer will also be discussed. Sessions will also show how to produce biodiesel.  

Some of the other 20 different lecture and lab topics include corn genetics and hybrid selection, forage crop fertility and harvest management and sunflower weed management. Regional experts from educational institutions, government agencies and businesses will be on hand to answer questions and help agricultural producers get ready for the next growing season.  

The Crops College is a collaboration of the University of Minnesota Extension Service; the University of Minnesota, Crookston; the Northwest Research and Outreach Center; the College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Sciences; and commodity groups. The college is sponsored by the U of M Northwest Regional Sustainable Development Partnership and Northwest Clean Energy Resource Team.   The University of Minnesota, Crookston (UMC) delivers more than 24 different undergraduate degree programs, including online options, in agriculture; arts, humanities and social sciences; business; math, science and technology; and natural resources. UMC is dedicated to helping students and the region aim higher, reach further and dream big dreams. To learn more, visit www.UMCrookston.edu.

Successful Ag Activities Day Held at U of M, Crookston Hosting Some 1300 Students

CROOKSTON, MN (December 7, 2006) – For the last 25 years, Ag Activities Day has been held at the University of Minnesota, Crookston. The day gives high school students the chance to participate in activities in agriculture resulting in scholarship awards. This year’s event held Friday, Dec. 1, 2006, hosted some 1,300 high school students from all over the region who came to participate in 18 contests ranging from Ag Mechanics, Ag Sales, and Dairy to Wildlife and Hippology.

In the afternoon, an awards ceremony was held to announce the individual winners, as well as to recognize the top three teams.  Each team score was tabulated from the top three individuals from each participating school or chapter. This year $32,000 of scholarship money allowed the awarding of individual UMC scholarships in the amount of $750 for the first place individual, $600 for the second place individual and $450 for the third place individual.

First place individuals were Austin Link, New York Mills, Minn., in Dairy Judging; Kristine Neu, Pelican Rapids, Minn., in Nursery and Landscape; Andrew Thronson, Mahnomen, Minn., in Soils; Victoria Peterson, Long Prairie, Minn., in Hippology; Paul Schiller, Stillwater, Minn., Forestry; Stephanie Amiot, Thief River Falls, Minn., in Small Animals; Jeran Hilde, Ada Borup, Minn., in Dairy Foods; Nolan Jeral, Hawley, Minn., in Ag Sales; Ben Fuglie, Ulen-Hitterdahl, Minn., in Farm Management; and Jake Hein in Wildlife and Nicole Chessmen in Floriculture both from Grand Rapids, Minn.

Mahnomen, Minn., had three first place finishing teams in Farm Management, Dairy Judging and Soils. Pelican Rapids, Minn., had two teams taking first place finishes in Nursery/Landscape and Ag Sales; and Grand Rapids, Minn., had two first place finishes in Floriculture and Wildlife. Teams taking first place in other contests were Thief River Falls, Minn., in Small Animals; Lake Park-Audubon, Minn., in Meats; Greenbush-Middle River, Minn., in General Livestock; Ada-Borup, Minn., in Dairy Foods; and Hawley, Minn., in Hippology.

Ag Activities Day fits the mission of the UMC Agriculture Department to provide exemplarpolytechnic learning through teaching, applied research and collaborative outreach interactions. Students participating in the activities learn skills to help them in future educational and leadership pursuits. To view all the results of the Ag Activities Day contests, visit www.crk.umn.edu/ag/AAD/2006Results.htm

The University of Minnesota, Crookston (UMC) delivers more than 24 different undergraduate degree programs, including online options, in agriculture; arts, humanities and social sciences; business; math, science and technology; and natural resources. UMC is dedicated to helping students and the region aim higher, reach further and dream big dreams. To learn more, visit www.UMCrookston.edu.

These high school students from Fertile, Minn., were part of the 1300 students particpating in Ag Activities Day.

True Grit Award Winners Named at U of M, Crookston’s Ag Arama

CROOKSTON, Minn. (January 29, 2007) – Winners of the True Grit Award were  announced at Ag Arama at the University of Minnesota, Crookston (UMC) on Saturday, Jan. 27, 2007. The award is the most coveted of all awards at the annual competition, and this year, three students were selected for the recognition.Kelli Pulford, Richville, Minn., Thor Vettleson, Trail, Minn., and Gretchen Smeby, Grygla, Minn., were this year’s recipients.

The True Grit Award is dedicated to the memory of Todd Opsahl a UMC student in 1973-74. Opsahl was extremely active in campus activities especially in the Ag Division where he studied animal science. Todd’s life was cut short by leukemia. In his remembrance, the True Grit award is presented to the student who best demonstrates Todd Opsahl’s active participation and encouragement of others.

Ag Arama is an annual winter competition that features contests for students in agronomy, animal science, horticulture, and natural resources. Through these contests the event allows current students to showcase their knowledge and skills in their major area of study and gives them a chance interact with each other, with alumni, and with faculty members. Ag-Arama is planned and operated by a committee of UMC students and advised by UMC faculty members.

For information on programs in agriculture, natural resources and horticulture at UMC, visit http://academics.umcrookston.edu or call 218-281-8569.

The University of Minnesota, Crookston (UMC) delivers more than 24 different undergraduate degree programs, including online options, in agriculture; arts, humanities and social sciences; business; math, science and technology; and natural resources. UMC is dedicated to helping students and the region aim higher, reach further and dream big dreams. To learn more, visit www.UMCrookston.edu.

Kelli Pulford, Thor Vettleson, and Gretchen Smeby

Royalty Crowned at U of M, Crookston’s 2007 Ag Arama on Saturday, Jan. 27, 2007

CROOKSTON, Minn. (January 29, 2007) – Coronation at Ag Arama 2007 was held at the University of Minnesota, Crookston (UMC) on Saturday, Jan. 27, 2007. Royalty crowned were King Cory Detloff, Bertha, Minn., Queen Amy Konradi, Canby, Minn., Prince Matt Przekwas, Roseau, Minn.,  and Princess Danika Kent, Lancaster, Minn.

The faculty of the agricultural management division at UMC nominate the candidates and a panel of judges selects the male and female students they feel best reflect the goals and spirit of the UMC Agricultural Management Division. Selection is based on congeniality and involvement in the division along with campus activities.

Ag Arama is an annual winter competition that features contests for students in agronomy, animal science, horticulture, and natural resources. Through these contests the event allows current students to showcase their knowledge and skills in their major area of study and gives them a chance interact with each other, with alumni, and with faculty members. Ag-Arama is planned and operated by a committee of UMC students and advised by UMC faculty members.

For information on programs in agriculture, natural resources and horticulture at UMC, visit http://academics.umcrookston.edu or call 218-281-8569.

The University of Minnesota, Crookston (UMC) delivers more than 24 different undergraduate degree programs, including online options, in agriculture; arts, humanities and social sciences; business; math, science and technology; and natural resources. UMC is dedicated to helping students and the region aim higher, reach further and dream big dreams. To learn more, visit www.UMCrookston.edu.

King Cory Detloff, Queen Amy Konradi, Prince Matt Przekwas, Princess Danika Kent

Precision Ag Class Project

The Precision Ag class installs and demonstrates an automatic steering device on a new Case/IH tractor provided by Red Power Internation of Crookston.  This was the first experience of automatic steering in a farm tractor for some of the students including Sam Reise of Brazill.  Tim  Caillier of Crookston has farm experience of "EZ Steer" on his tractors at home so he became the unofficial instructor for the lab.

Community Service

The Ag Industries Club used the opportunity to shingle Lynnette Mullins garage as a “community service” project for spring semester. Earlier, other students removed the old shingles and Kent Freberg, ASM Professor prepared the roof for the shingling process. Club members in these pictures include: Kelsey Eidsness, Aaron Peyerl, Nate Tallackson, Chad Osowski and Allison Stone. Paul Aakre, ASM Professor is the Club Advisor.

Brian Shaw Gains an Additional 33 Horses

Brian Shaw, ASM student from Ulen, Minnesota is pretty happy about the performance improvement on his 6588 IH 2+2 tractor.  Brian does commercial haying with the tractor and noticed that it was performing poorly last summer.

This winter the tractor was incorporated in Paul Aakre’s ASM 3002 (AP Power) course, to trouble-shoot and make necessary repairs. The tractor is rated at 144 hp but only managed 117 when tested on a pto dynamometer.  It was determined that the fuel injection pump was the most likely problem.  The pump was removed and replaced with a rebuilt at a cost around $600.00.  The tractor was again tested for horsepower, this time putting out 148 hp nearly a 30% increase. 

The situation provide a “real life” experience for Brian and the Ag Power class, not to mention saving several hundred dollars in labor expense for the Shaw family farm.

UMC Provides Welding Training

Paul Aakre, UMC Assistant Professor of Mechanized Agriculture, provided custom welding training for six maintenance employees of New Flyer in Crookston. The course covered four sessions August 6-7. Each student received a certificate for attending the 12-hour course. New Flyer received a grant to help pay for the classes.


(above from left) Paul Aakre provided training to New Flyer employees Gene Fuglesten, Chris Hoffman, Wayne Scott, (below from left) Duane Nephew, Dick Blackman, and Larry Herberg

Posted August 7, 2003

Russians Learn Grain Production and Processing

Ten Russians attended instruction regarding Grain Production and Processing at UMC Thursday, May 15. Not only did they enjoy the demonstration on the GPS Mule but you can see they, too, had fun on the nearby Harley.

Posted May 13, 2003