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Biorefinery could Fuel Grain Market by Chris Moore, Freelance Writer Capital Press, November 21, 2003

ONTARIO, Ore. -- Malheur County whet growers were apprised recently of the potential to market wheat, barley and corn, should the proposed Treasure Valley Renewed Resources Biorefinery become a reality.

John Hamilton, project manager for the biorefinery, told the assembled growers Nov. 10 at the annual meeting of the county's wheat growers that the company would expand future marketing opportunities for grains grown in Eastern Oregon and Western Idaho.

He said it is expected the plant will use 3 million bushels of corn, s.5 million bushels of wheat and 6 million to 8 million bushels of barley in production of the various products it would manufacture yearly.

TVRR is in the process of seeking various permits to proceed with development of plans for its refinery, which is unique, plant investors say. Upon completion, it will produce food grade, value-added induce food grade, value-added ingredients for many industries:

• Human foods -starch and fiber, protein concentrate, beverages, baking, cereals, and soup and sauce thickeners;
• Functional food - fiber bars, natural foods, meal replacement beverages, cereals and fiber supplements;
• Nutraceuticals - Beta Glucans and products for antioxidants, lowering cholesterol, assisting the immune system and in the reduction of colon cancer;
• Aquaculture - Protein concentrate and gluten to replace fish meal for the primary aquaculture species used for human consumption, It will also drastically lower the phosphorus in fish diets, reducing the phosphorus content in effluent waters;
• Commercial grade CO2 - the carbon dioxide produced at the facility will be sold, thus eliminating it as an emission from the plant. CO2 is used for dry ice, beverages and welding applications;
• Ethanol - a byproduct of the plant's processing for other products; and
• Biodiesel - B20, a vegetable oil-based fuel is projected to be a future product.

Hamilton said the plant would utilize wheat, barley, and corn from a six-county region - Malheur in Oregon, and Canyon, Gem, Owyhee, Washington and Payette counties in Idaho.

The varieties needed may not be those that produce the highest yields on the local area, but the TVRR manager said premiums paid for desired varieties would be commensurate to what growers need to afford to grow the needed varieties.

"We will be willing to pay fair market prices and possibly premium prices to get the grains we need," Hamilton said.

Malheur County was the fourth-largest wheat-producing county in Oregon in 2003, with about 28,000 acres, which is down from third place in Oregon in the previous year, said Larry Price, Malheur County Wheat Growers president.

"This is because of the consistent and sufficient water supply available in this region," Price explained.

The Malheur growers association annual meeting also received a report on Oregon Wheat League activities, including the organizations efforts to gain drought relief for Columbia Gorge growers.

The importance of producing high-quality wheat for export customers, including growing the proper varieties for that market, was discussed by Andrew Ross, Oregon State University cereal chemist, and Tana Simpson of the Oregon Wheat Commission.