News & Events
Biomass Conversion to Heat & Electricity Workshop
Posted 1/27/2010 2:36:56 PM
Biomass Conversion to Heat & Electricity Workshop: Molding Today's Technology for Tomorrow's Bioenergy Feedstock Supply Chain
March 11-12, 2010; Heartland Community College, Normal, Illinois
Registration Website: http://www.value-added.org/news/biomass.asp or via phone: (309) 268-8160
Cost of Feedstuffs Calculator on U of I Web Sites
Posted 11/4/2009 9:36:43 AM
Cost of feeding the animal is by far the most expensive part of dairy and livestock production. Historically the list of feedstuffs available to feed animals has been fairly constant (grain, forages and protein supplements). However, with the advent of the ethanol industry and the further processing of grain, the co-products resulting from these processes has opened up a whole new area of feed sources.
Even though there are many feedstuffs available, it has been a challenge for producers to compare these different feedstuffs as they can vary in dry matter, protein and energy. Creating a bigger problem is the same feedstuffs from different processing plants can vary in their nutrient value. Also, with moisture ranging from dry 10-15% up to moderate of 40 to 60% and even some high moisture products in the 70-80% moisture, it is nearly impossible for producers to come up with the cheapest sources of feedstuffs. To further complicate things the storage losses on some of these feedstuffs can range from 5 or 10% up to 30 to 50% or more.
A new program called the “Cost of Feedstuffs Calculator” on the Farm Analysis Solution Tools (FAST) web site at the University of Illinois can assist producers in comparing the different costs of feedstuffs. This tool can be located on FarmDoc at the University of Illinois and can be secured by going to http://www.farmdoc.illinois.edu/pubs/FASTtool_special_feedstuffs.asp Access to this program can be found at other locations including the University of Illinois Illini DairyNET and Illini BeefNET web sites http://www.livestocktrail.uiuc.edu/ Also, the program is posted on the Illinois Value Added Sustainable Development Center " Co-Products " at Western Illinois University http://www.value-added.org/renewableEnergy/ethanol/ddgs/
The Cost of Feedstuffs Calculator allows livestock managers, consultants, and veterinarians to compare the cost of purchasing, transporting and storage losses for different feedstuffs. The feedstuffs library includes 120 different feedstuffs comprising: 22 company co-products; 25 by-products; 5 new generation co-products; 27 forages; 11 grains; 9 crop residues; 12 silages; and 9 supplements. In addition, producers can add additional feedstuffs available on their farm.
Each of these feedstuffs can be compared to the default feedstuffs comprised of number two shelled corn; 44% soybean meal and mid-bloom alfalfa hay. Groups of 5, 10 or 15 different feedstuffs can be compared at one time with the feedstuffs ranked on a “Cost per Pound of Energy” or “Cost per Pound of Protein” basis.
Support for the development of this computer program was provided by the Illinois Corn Marketing Board, University of Illinois Extension; and Departments of Agricultural and Consumer Economics and Animal Sciences.
Programmer for the Cost of Feedstuffs Tool was done by Brooks Schaffer graduate student in the University of Illinois Department of Agricultural and Consumer Economics. For additional information on the Costs of Feedstuffs Tools calculator please contact: Dr. Mike Hutjens, Dairy Extension Specialist, University of Illinois (217-333-2928); Dave Seibert, Animal Systems Educator, University of Illinois Extension (309-694-7501); or Dr. Gary Schnitkey, Farm Management Extension Specialist (217-244-9595) at the University of Illinois.
Source: Dave Seibert, Animal Systems Educator, University of Illinois Extension, 309-694-7501.
Building the Wind Turbine Supply Chain Workshop October 22, 2009
Posted 9/11/2009 2:08:54 PM
8:30 AM to 5:00 PM
Spoon River College Community Outreach Center
MidAmerica National Bank Conference Hall
2500 East Jackson Street, Macomb, Illinois
This workshop will enable manufacturers to evaluate their capabilities relative to customer requirements,
and begin to develop their plan for penetrating the market.
Experts in the field of renewable energy will highlight market opportunities in the wind sector for attending manufacturers.
The goal of the workshop is to help build a new industry of wind turbine components that will create new jobs and investments throughout Illinois.
The workshop will also feature information on growing trends in wind power, major supply chain needs in the wind energy systems industry,
retooling investments, and process upgrades that suppliers must address in order to comply with wind industry standards.
Cost to attend: $95 Early Bird Registration by October 7, 2009. $125 as of October 8, 2009. Includes lunch.
REGISTER NOW!
http://renewableenergy.illinoisstate.edu/events/SupplyChainOct2009.shtml
Questions? Call the Center for Renewable Energy at 309-438-7919, or email RenewableEnergy@ilstu.edu.
Funding Opportunities
Posted 1/7/2008 9:14:51 AM
The USDA Rural Development’s Value-Added Producer Grant is eligible to agriculture producers for planning activities or working capital expenses to assist them in receiving a greater share of the consumer’s dollar for value-added agricultural products.
Eligible applicants include independent producers, farmer or rancher cooperatives, agricultural producer groups, and majority-controlled producer-based business venture.
Planning expenses can include the creation of a business plan, feasibility study, marketing plan, or legal fees associated with establishing the venture. Working capital expenses may include labor, inventory, office equipment, office rent, utilities, marketing expenses, consulting fees, etc. All expenses must relate directly to the value-added process.
This grant does require a dollar for dollar match in the form of cash, line of credit, or third party in-kind contributions. Other federal grants cannot be used as match. The maximum award for a planning grant is $100,000. The maximum award for a working capital grant is $300,000.
More information about this grant can be found at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rbs/coops/vadg.htm or by contacting Matt Harris, Business Cooperative Specialist, at 217.403.6211 or Matthew.Harris@il.usda.gov.
The USDA Rural Development’s Section 9006 program provides financial assistance to farmers, ranchers, and small business to purchase renewable energy systems or make energy efficiency improvements.
Eligible applicants include farmers and ranchers who gain 50% or more of their gross income from their agricultural operations. Small businesses located in rural areas are also eligible.
Grants can fund up to 25% of a project’s total costs but limited to $500,000 for renewable energy projects or $250,000 for energy efficiency improvements. Grants as low as $2500 for renewable energy projects and $1500 for energy efficiency improvements will be considered. The loan guarantee program is limited to 50% of the project’s total eligible costs with a maximum of $10 million.
Eligible renewable energy projects include projects that produce energy from wind, solar, biomass, geothermal, and hydrogen-based sources. It can produce any form of energy including heat, electricity, or fuel. The systems must be located in a rural area, technically feasible, and owned by the applicant. Energy efficiency projects can include retrofitting lighting or insulation, or purchasing or replacing equipment with more efficient units. Energy efficient projects on new building construction are typically not eligible.
For more information on this program, go to http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rbs/farmbill.apply.html , or contact Molly Hammond at 217.403.6210 or Molly.Hammond@il.usda.gov.
The USDA Community Food Projects Competitive Grants Program’s letter of intent is due January 10 by 5:00 p.m. Eastern time. This grant’s focus is on increasing food self-reliance of communities; promote comprehensive responses to local food, farm, and nutrition issues; develop innovative linkages between the public, for-profit, and nonprofit food sectors; and encourage long-term planning activities and comprehensive multi-agency approaches.
Eligible applicants include private, nonprofit entities for the Community Food Project and Planning Project grants. Private, nonprofits, and other entities may apply for Training and Technical Assistance grants.
A Community Food Project is a one time grant for one to three years time, not exceeding $300,000 for three years, or $125,000 in any one year. This grant should make projects self-sustaining and designed to meet the food needs of low-income people and meet state, local, or neighborhood food and agricultural needs. The Planning Project grant may have a total project budget of $25,000 for one to three years. Planning Projects can take a comprehensive look at planning for long-term solutions that will ensure food security in community by linking the food production and processing sectors to community development, economic opportunity, and environmental enhancement. The Training and Technical Assistance Project may last from one to three years with a total budget not exceeding $300,000 or $125,000 in any one year. This type of grant is to assist current or applying Community Food Project Grant applicants with leadership development, project evaluations, technical assistance, etc.
To learn more about this grant program, visit http://www.grants.gov.
