Since the introduction of genetically modified (GMO) foods in the U.S. in the mid-1990’s there have been failed initiatives at both the federal and state levels to require mandatory labeling of GMO foods. Alaska has been the only state to pass a GMO food labeling law and it applies to fish and mollusks only. Continue reading
Social Media Focuses More Attention on Food and Food Labeling
Social media is playing a growing role in consumer activism relating to food. And, it’s focusing more attention on consumers’ right to know. When information get’s online – whether it’s right, wrong or indifferent – it moves quickly and widely.
“Pink Slime” on YouTube: A case in point is the recent uproar over chemically-treated beef trimmings called lean finely textured beef (LFTB) by the food industry, but dubbed pink slime by its opponents.
Yahoo’s Contention that Ag Degrees are “Useless” Not Planted with Facts
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Like downed corn, a declaration by Yahoo writer Terrence Loose that a degree in agriculture is the most useless college degree in America doesn’t have roots to stand on. Statistics from many major land grant universities and a host of recent studies show demand for agricultural graduates is actually quite strong.
With placement rates exceeding 90 percent at agricultural colleges including Iowa State University, Purdue University, University of Illinois and Ohio State University, it’s obvious employers don’t think agricultural degrees are useless. Continue reading
Livestock Industry Needs to Adjust to Lower Corn Oil in Distillers Grains
Ethanol producers are adding corn oil extraction technologies to their facilities in increasing numbers to garner more income from byproducts. By extracting the oil they can earn 40 cents per pound compared to the 10 cents per pound price they receive for Distillers Dried Grains and Solubles (DDGS). That could equate to $6.6 million in additional value for a 100 million gallon ethanol plant, according to an article in Feedstuffs. Continue reading
Minnesota Researcher Extracts More Value from Distillers Grains
Pavel Krasutsky, center, has developed a conversion technology that utilizes distillers grains to produce a variety of higher value products.
New processes could improve economics of ethanol production. New technology developed by a researcher at the Natural Resources Research Institute (NRRI) at the University of Minnesota Duluth promises to improve ethanol’s net energy balance and enhance the profitability and viability of ethanol plants.
NRRI chemist Pavel Krasutsky has extracted additional value from Distillers Dried Grains and Solubles (DDGS), the low value co-product of corn ethanol production. Continue reading