News Release
For Release
August 16, 2007
Winnipeg, Manitoba - The University of Manitoba will
receive funding for further research to enhance the value of livestock
feed uses for distiller’s dried grain, a high protein by-product
of ethanol production. The Canada-Manitoba Economic Partnership Agreement
is contributing $202,820 towards the project.
The announcement was made today by Rod Bruinooge, Member of Parliament
for Winnipeg South, on behalf of the Honourable Rona Ambrose, President
of the Queen’s Privy Council for Canada, Minister of Intergovernmental
Affairs and Minister of Western Economic Diversification, and Marilyn
Brick, Member of the Legislative Assembly for St. Norbert, on behalf of
Jim Rondeau, Manitoba’s Minister of Competitiveness, Training and
Trade.
“Canada’s New Government is working in partnership with the
Province of Manitoba to ensure a prosperous future for Manitobans by fostering
growth in the ethanol and grain industries,” said Bruinooge. “This
joint funding investment of over $200,000, through the Canada-Manitoba
Economic Partnership Agreement, will enable the University of Manitoba
to conduct research that will help place Manitoba at the forefront of
developing practical and economic uses for wheat-derived distillers dried
grain.”
“Our government is committed to investing in new economic opportunities
for Manitoba’s rural communities,” said Brick. “Research
into adding value to ethanol by-product follows Manitoba’s strong
commitment to investment in biofuel production.”
The Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences will research different
processing technologies and techniques to determine the impact on the
yield of ethanol as well as the quality of the by-products. Increasing
the value of the by-product will contribute to the long-term success of
both the ethanol industry and the livestock feed industry in Manitoba.
The emerging ethanol industry also provides an alternative market opportunity
for Manitoba grain producers.
“This project builds on a foundation of outstanding research at
the University of Manitoba related to new wheat cultivars, efficient fermentation
strategies, and value-added co-product development,” said University
of Manitoba President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Emoke Szathmáry.
“The support announced today is great news, not just for the researchers
involved, but also for the Manitoba grain producers, livestock producers
and biofuels industries that will directly benefit from their innovative
work.”
Previous funding of $134,000 was also provided for this project through
the Canada Manitoba Agri-Food Research and Development Initiative. The
new project is one component of a comprehensive biofuels research program
at the University of Manitoba that was established in 2005 with significant
support from Husky Energy Inc.
Under the Canada-Manitoba Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), the governments
of Canada and Manitoba are working together and in partnership with community
stakeholders to build the economy and strengthen communities. These priorities
promote economic growth and diversification in the province. For more
information on this and other projects funded under EPA, visit: http://www.epa.gov.mb.ca.
For additional information, contact:
Terri Hooper
Communications Coordinator
Canada-Manitoba Economic Partnership Agreement
Tel.: (204) 945-7805
Lee Gregg
Communications Officer
Western Economic Diversification Canada
Tel.: (204) 983-0701
Joe Czech
Communications Coordinator
Communication Services Manitoba
Tel.: (204) 945-6778
www.gov.mb.ca
Leah Janzen
Communications Manager
University of Manitoba
Tel.: (204) 474-8034
WD Toll-Free Number:
1 888 338-WEST (9378)
Web Site: WD is online at
www.wd-deo.gc.ca.
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Backgrounder
Distiller’s Dried Grain
Distiller’s Dried Grain is a cereal by-product of a distillation
process, traditionally from brewers and more recently, ethanol plants.
When making ethanol only the starch from wheat is used. The remaining
nutrients - protein, fiber and oil - are the by-products used to create
livestock feed called distillers dried grain (DDG).
In North America, corn has been used as the main cereal grain in ethanol
production and the resulting DDG extensively evaluated as a feedstuff.
Due to climatic considerations, ethanol production in most of Canada will
be derived from wheat, and there is a scarcity of information on the nutritive
value of wheat-based DDG.
The Project
Research will be conducted by the Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences
at the University of Manitoba to develop practical and economic uses for
wheat-derived DDG.
The chemical characterization of wheat-based DDG will be examined and
evaluated to determine its nutritional value as livestock feed. Further
research will focus on improving animal performance through supplementing
the DDG with enzymes to improve nutrient utilization and minimize waste
products that animals cannot digest.
The project enhances the viability of the emerging grain-based ethanol
industry in Western Canada and also supports the Government of Canada
and Province of Manitoba’s commitment towards the development of
alternative energy and production and use of biofuels such as ethanol.
The project is also designed to increase the efficiency of operations
of ethanol plants through improved use of wheat components within the
ethanol production process.
This project is one component of a comprehensive biofuels research program
at the University of Manitoba that was established in 2005 with significant
support from Husky Energy Inc.
Ethanol Production in Manitoba
The Biofuels Act will be proclaimed when there is sufficient ethanol
production capacity in the province to meet the demand of a 10-per-cent
blend.
Husky Energy Inc. has announced that it will construct a 130-million-litre
plant at Minnedosa to replace the current facility with $10.4 million
in support under the Federal Ethanol Expansion Program. The new plant,
which is estimated to cost $145 million, is expected to employ 35 full-time
staff on an ongoing basis. The plant will require 350,000 tonnes per year
of locally grown wheat and will produce approximately 125,000 tonnes per
year of distillers dried grains for livestock feed.
