Full circle: repurposing ag residues

May 07, 2018

New refinery will provide farmers with animal feed substitute

By Kaitlynn Anderson
Staff Writer
Farms.com

Ontario producers may soon have a new market for their crop residues.

The provincial government is working with Comet Biorefining to build a bio-based ingredient refinery in Sarnia, Ont. The operation will be the first commercial-scale production plant of its kind in the world, Friday’s government release stated.

The company will convert agricultural residues, such as wheat straw and corn stover, into glucose syrups, Comet Biorefining’s website states.

Animal feed and food manufacturers across North America can then use these products – dextrose, hemicellulose extract (HCE) and lignin – as ingredients in their products.

Comet Biorefining website photo

For example, manufacturers can use HCE, which has nutritional properties similar to molasses, in swine, ruminant and poultry feed, the website states.

To reach full production, the facility will require 75,000 metric tonnes of residues at 15.5 per cent moisture, Matt Hargarten, head of communications at Comet, told Farms.com today.

Ontario’s $8-million investment in Comet Biorefining will help the company compete on a global scale.

“This (development) will in turn help create and retain jobs, boost Sarnia’s local economy and support the competitiveness and further growth of Ontario’s agri-food sector,” Jeff Leal, Ontario’s minister of agriculture, food and rural affairs, said in the release.

ArtistGNDphotography photo

Video: Early Fall Colors | Scenic Ontario Road Trip!

All adventures must come to an end, but not without one more journey! Join The Wandering Shepherds as we say farewell to our cozy Calabogie cottage and take the scenic road trip home to Ewetopia Farms. Our first stop was a breathtaking hydroelectric generating station, framed by cliffs, rushing water, and brilliant fall leaves that seemed to have changed overnight. From there, we meandered along winding backroads through lakes and hills, soaking in the spectacular autumn scenery. This year, the colors seemed to arrive earlier than usual—perhaps due to the summer’s drought? Whatever the reason, it was an unforgettable display of Ontario’s fall beauty. Finally, our holiday drew to a close as we pulled back into Ewetopia Farms, ready to return to the sheep and our daily vlogs. But this trip reminded us how important it is to pause, explore, and appreciate the simple beauty around us.