Proposed Oregon Biorefinery Gets Backing From USDA

Novus_Energy_demonstration_project
Novus_Energy_demonstration_project

USDA has approved an $11 million loan for a project to build a biorefinery in Boardman that would convert farm waste into natural gas and liquid fertilizer.

The East Oregonian reports Minnesota-based Novus Energy plans to build the $25 million facility at the Port of Morrow.

Oregon Sen. Jeff Merkley and USDA Rural Development Undersecretary Lisa Mensah announced the loan Friday in Portland.

Mensah says the project will spur economic development and provide new markets for farm commodities in rural Oregon.

The facility would take 750 tons of potato peels, dairy manure and other farm waste and convert it into renewable gas. By allowing the scraps to ferment in tanks, organic material breaks down and releases methane that can be captured and stored.

The company plans to break ground this summer.

Tags

Digesters Archived Content
 

Latest News

Dairy Production
Take Away Message from U.S. Milk Production Report: Road to Less Milk
Take Away Message from U.S. Milk Production Report: Road to Less Milk

The USDA Milk Production report shows that per cow milk production in the 24 major States for March was 3 less lbs. than last March. The 24 major States also had 71,000 head fewer than in March 2023.

Karen Bohnert
Business
Fairlife Breaks Ground on $650 Million Facility in New York
Fairlife Breaks Ground on $650 Million Facility in New York

Fairlife is known for its value-added dairy products, such as ultra-filtered milk, protein shakes and lactose-free milk. Soon, the company will be producing these popular products at its upcoming facility in N.Y.

Taylor Leach
Education
Crop Progress Update: Planters Pick Up Steam Across Most States
Crop Progress Update: Planters Pick Up Steam Across Most States

Corn planting is now 2% ahead of the five year national average, while soybeans are currently 4% ahead, according to the April 22, 2024, USDA Crop Progress report.

Matthew J. Grassi
Dairy Production
Last Call for Producers to Enroll in DMC for 2024
Last Call for Producers to Enroll in DMC for 2024

The deadline to enroll for the USDA’s Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) and Supplemental Dairy Margin Coverage (SDMC) programs is approaching fast. The last day for producers to sign up is Monday, April 29, 2024.

Karen Bohnert
Education
Liver Abscesses in Beef-on-Dairy Cattle are Costing Packers Big Money
Liver Abscesses in Beef-on-Dairy Cattle are Costing Packers Big Money

This growing beef-on-dairy health problem is costing packers two major things – time and money.

Taylor Leach
Dairy Production
NEW: USDA Confirms Cow-to-Cow Transmission a Factor in Avian Flu Spread
NEW: USDA Confirms Cow-to-Cow Transmission a Factor in Avian Flu Spread

USDA said this week cow-to-cow transmission is a factor in the spread of avian flu in dairy herds, but it still does not know exactly how the virus is being moved around.

Reuters
View More