Huron Expositor, 2007-11-21, Page 11The Huron Expositor • November 21, 2007 Popp 11
News
Farmers learn about biodiesel opportunities
Seaforth workshop gives hands-on idea of process involved in making biodiesel fuel
Aaron Jacklin
1111111111111111111
Farmers from all over the region
came to the Seaforth Agriplex last
week to learn about the biodiesel
industry at an event put on by the
Canadian International Grains
Institute (CIGI) and -the Ontario
Soybean Growers (OSG).
"They're learning the whole
process of making biodiesel," said
Crosby Devitt, research manager for
the OSG.
The process involves extracting oil
from oilseeds - like soybeans and
canola - and creating a reaction that
results in biodiesel fuel.
The workshop in Seaforth was the
first of five held across Ontario in
the last couple weeks. It receives
funding from CanAdvance, a pro-
gram that provides funding to
endeavours that seek new agricul-
tural markets.
Participants made their own
table -top batches of biodiesel in
small groups, while a larger batch
was made in the trailer that is a
part of the demonstration.
"The trailer is a portable biodiesel
plant," Devitt said, explaining that
THE
BES
IN THE
FIELD
it has a heater and diesel generator
that are run by biodiesel.
"It's totally self-contained," he
said.
Devitt said the point of the day
was to give people a hands-on idea
of the process involved in making
biodiesel.
He said a number of the people
there already have their own soy-
bean crushers and are making oil.
He said they were looking for a way
to "add value" to that.
"They're looking at making
biodiesel on their farms," he said,
noting that others were just inter-
ested in finding another use for
their crops in the future.
"The biodiesel industry is grow-
ing," he said; "which is creating
more demand for oil of all types."
With the higher demand, they're
also seeing higher prices.
"Over the last six months, they
(CIGI) have been doing these cours-
es with the trailer in western
Canada," said Devitt, "So we, the
Ontario Soybean Growers, arranged
to have them in Ontario for a couple
weeks."
Dr. Rex Newkirk, biofuels and
feed director for CIGI, taught the
When it comes to farming, you're the best in the field. When it comes to
farm insurance, we're the best in ours. That's why you should trust us,
when it comes to protecting your valuable farming operation.
We know how hard you work, and we're committed to safeguarding
your family and your property.
Why not call us today and let us help you lay the groundwork for your
insurance needs?
For the past 20 years, our loyal customers have
received a refund for each year that there is a surplus!
Farm, Residential &
Commercial Properties
Head Office Exeter, ON NOM 1 S 1
(519) 235-0350 • Est. 1876
Usborne
Hibbert
Mutual Fire
Insurance
Company
Exeter Dubin
2351915 345.2512
DIRECTORS & ADJUSTERS
Jos Chaffs, R.R. 5lAtchel 348.9706 • Larry Gardiner, R.R. 2 Stafla 345.2678 • Tom Feeney, R.R. 2 Dubin 3452947
Jack Hod9ert, R.R. 1 IGrtdon 2294162 • Mlchasl O'Shea, R.R. 3 Granton 225-2600 • Morris WNlows, R.R. 2 St. Pauls 3934548
Aaron Jacklin photo
Brent Pilkington of Melbourne in Middlesex County and Alfred McRae of the Petrolia
area make biodiesel fuel at a recent workshop in Seaforth. Both are farmers, with
Pilkington growing cash crops and raising layer hens and McRae growing cash crops
and raising hogs.
workshop, which is intended as an the oilseeds.
introductory course designed to let "It's really propped up the value of
people "get their hands wet" and get any seed with oil in it," he said, not-
a better understanding of what the ing that's particularly been the case
industry is about. for soybeans and canola.
"It won't make them experts, but "We see biodiesel as an opportuni-
it'll certainly give them a heads -up• ty for communities to produce fuel,
as to where this industry is going use that product in their own com-
and how the product is used," he munity and therefore avoid the
said. shipping costs of shipping it over to
As far as the economics of Singapore or Japan or wherever," he
biodiesel goes, Dr. Newkirk said said.
that it's already helped farmers. He said they don't see biodiesel as
"Even though we're not producing a replacement for the food use of
much in Canada yet, in Europe oilseeds, just as an additional mar -
there's been a very large demand for ket to sell in.
biodiesel due to government initia- "If communities do build biodiesel
tives and public desire," he said, plants, it provides local economic
explaining that this has created an returns to them," he said.
additional demand for the oil from
See BIODIESEL; Page 12