(With reporting by Dave Dentinger)
Funding has been approved for a major biomass to sugars project in Sarnia.
Ontario Federation of Agriculture Vice President Don McCabe sees a big opportunity in that project for farmers.
Bioindustrial Innovation Canada is putting the project together.
Spokesman Doctor Murray McLaughlin says they'll be evaluating a number of factors, including the availability of non-food biomass such as corn stover and wheat straw.
McCabe says if the project is successful, it could lead to a full-scale commercial plant in southern Ontario by 2018.
He says that would open up a new, closer market for southern Ontario corn growers as they continue to boost their yields.
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OFA Vice-President Don McCabe sees opportunity in that project.
[audio mp3="http://blackburnnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/PLANT-McCabe-1.mp3"][/audio]
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McCabe says it's an opportunity to maximise regional resources and feedstocks.
[audio mp3="http://blackburnnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/PLANT-McCabe-2.mp3"][/audio]
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McCabe says corn stover could be one of the major raw materials for that kind of operation.
[audio mp3="http://blackburnnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/PLANT-McCabe-3.mp3"][/audio]