Farmers Encouraged to Build Biodiesel Plants

REGINA - Apr 26/07 - SNS -- Western Canadian farmers should work together to build community biodiesel production facilities in order to regain local control over fuel costs and availability, argues Dr. Rex Newkirk, the Director of Feed at the Canadian International Grains Institute (CIGI).

"Biodiesel is an interesting opportunity, because, unlike other ventures, it is possible for communities to produce it themselves," says Newkirk.

"Building a one- or two- or five-million-liter-per-year plant is a starting place for a continuous flow system. For around $1 million, a community can build a plant and get into the industry. It presents some opportunity for rural Saskatchewan that potentially doesn't exist elsewhere."

That opportunity includes the prospect of new markets for locally grown canola, lower fuel costs and local jobs.

"I think one of the advantages of producing biodiesel and developing a small system is that it generates a lot of knowledge in the area, as well as some experience for communities that might want to venture into the industry bit by bit," Newkirk stated.

CIGI has recently launched a training course that is designed to help producers from the ground up, so that they can maximize the value of their canola and grow a product that is suitable for the expanding biodiesel market.

The main objective of the course is to educate farmers and entrepreneurs who are interested in producing biodiesel for community use or for sale as a community venture.

Through a combination of hands-on demonstrations and lectures, the course highlights the advantages of producing biodiesel for on-farm use to offset rising fuel costs. While targeted at producers, others with an interest in biodiesel production and market opportunities will also find the course beneficial.

Each participant will receive a copy of the textbook Biodiesel Basics and Beyond: a Comprehensive Guide to Production and Use for the Home and Farm by William H. Kemp, courtesy of the Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan (APAS).

"Producers may try to build their own systems, but, like everything else, it's a learning process and they will make mistakes," Newkirk noted. "The primary benefit of taking this course is that producers will get all of the information from the outset, and will hopefully be able to avoid some of the pitfalls that can otherwise occur."

Newkirk says that people considering establishing a biodiesel production plant need to be careful to get complete information, even if they are just looking at setting up a smaller-scale version to supply their own farms. He worries that some of the information available on the Internet glosses over important areas like safety and product quality.

"If producers are doing the research themselves, and they are just looking to websites for information, they will realize that some sources try to sell a good story instead of worrying about the safety angle of it. I think safety is pretty high on the [list of priorities]. You certainly don't want to see anyone get hurt."

The CIGI course is a three-day workshop that covers all aspects of the production process, including equipment operation, chemistry, feed stock sources, safety and marketing.

CIGI recently held two biodiesel courses in Saskatchewan, and Newkirk says they will definitely be back if there is enough interest in the province. The course fee is $495, but is eligible for reimbursement through the Canadian Agricultural Skill Service (CASS) program.

More information on the biodiesel production course can be found on the CIGI website at www.cigi.ca, or by calling CIGI Program Co-ordinator Shannon Taylor at (204) 983-6006.