In North Dakota, the North Dakota Industrial Commission approved a $83,810 grant to Midwest AgEnergy Group to research using North Dakota barley to produce a protein concentrate for aquaculture and also for ethanol at Dakota Spirit AgEnergy in Spiritwood, just east of Jamestown. It would be the first ethanol in North Dakota produced from a feedstock other than corn, said the commission.
“It’s a higher value market than where we’re currently participating at this time,” when compared to cattle feed, said Jeff Zueger, CEO for Midwest AgEnergy Group, adding that the company is continuously looking for best and additional uses at its Jamestown and Underwood plants.
The concept for the barley biofuel was developed and has been pilot tested by Montana Microbial Products, in partnership with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Zueger said.