Project Number: 5447-41000-001-00
Project Type: Appropriated

Start Date: Feb 25, 2002
End Date: Sep 30, 2006

Objective:
1)Determine applicability of using fiber extrusion to improve digestibility of byproducts from ethanol production for use in cattle feed and to increase ethanol production; 2)Develop and evaluate processes and products to increase the value of corn-to-ethanol byproducts that now form distillers dried grains; 3)Determine the potential for converting byproducts formed in ethanol production into animal feed and other value-added co-products; and 4)Develop methods to add value on the farm to cellulosic biomass to be used as feedstock for ethanol production.

Approach:
A cooperative project with South Dakota State University (SDSU) and MBI International will be developed to address the project objectives. Specific cooperative agreements will be established to support the involvement of SDSU and MBI. A proprietary fiber pretreatment process developed by MBI will be evaluated for use in producing improved animal feed from cellulosic plant residues (stover) and from combinations of stover and distillers dried grains. Activities will include evaluation of a procedure that makes use of a defiberator during pretreatment to separate cellulose from the stover, followed by enzymatic hydrolysis of the cellulose to produce sugars. These studies will lead to a better understanding of the physical and chemical changes occurring during pretreatment. Economic analysis will be completed for the processes and feedstocks evaluated and the feeding qualities of the materials produced will be evaluated with animal feeding trials.

Project Annual Reports

FY 2003   FY 2002

Related National Programs

Quality and Utilization of Agricultural Products (306)   Bioenergy & Energy Alternatives (307)

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IMPROVED USES AND VALUES FOR DRIED DISTILLERS GRAINS AND C4 GRASS FEEDSTOCKS    ASSESS UTILITY AND VALUE OF MODIFIED DRIED DISTILLERS GRAINS