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Horse Manure Holds Promise for Biofuel Industry

Horse Poop May Hold Enzyme Secret for Biofuel Production

By , Farms.com

 A new value for horse manure may have just been discovered! Chemists say that horse manure may be the secret for producing ethanol from feedstocks like corn stover, straw, switchgrass, and wood chips. Scientists are finding that enzymes in horse manure could hold the potential for converting cellulose into sugars.

The fungi that grows on manure plays a role in breaking down plant material, which is a process that is expensive for the biofuel industry. Extracting biofuel from plants is an expensive process because sugars needed to make alcohol are in cellulose, which are found in plant cell walls. Plant material would need to be treated in order to break down the cellulose.

The scientific breakthrough was presented at the National Meeting & Exposition of the American Chemical Society in New Orleans by Michelle A. O’Malley of the University of California. O’Malley explained that while scientists have been studying the bacteria in the digestive tracts of cows and horses, until now fungi hadn’t been researched. Research is currently being conducted on how to get bacteria used in biofuel production to make enzymes on a larger scale.

Horses and cows naturally break down plant material, because of the enzymes found in their digestive tracts. In the future, it’s possible that these enzymes could be harnessed for the biofuel industry, which may lead to a cheaper source of biofuel.


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Demco Dual Aguer Grain Carts — Fire Safety Systems, Right or Left-Handed Unload, and More!

Video: Demco Dual Aguer Grain Carts — Fire Safety Systems, Right or Left-Handed Unload, and More!


Demco's dual auger grain cart is designed for unloading efficiency, operator visibility, and safety in the field.

This dual-auger design features both an unload auger and a floor auger for enhanced grain cleanout and consistent flow, and the 22-inch unload auger is capable of moving up to 600 bushels per minute.

Farmers can also choose between right or left-handed unload options—right-handed unload improves visibility from the tractor cab. A new design allows both vertical and horizontal movement for precise grain placement during unloading.

Another key feature is the built-in fire safety system; a 300-gallon onboard water tank with a hose reel that provides field-ready fire suppression capability.

These dual auger grain carts are available in 1100, 1300, 1500, 1700, and 2200 bushel sizes.