Electric power from potatoes Monday, February 28, 2011 Slices of freshly cooked potatoes can provide electricity for remote, off-grid communities, says a research team at the University of Jerusalem. A slice of potato can generate light for 20 hours, and several slices could power simple medical equipment, or even a low-powered computer.The work was described last year in the Journal of Renewable and Sustainable Energy and hinges on a recent discovery that electricity flows from membranes disrupted by boiling. Potato batteries are estimated to generate electricity at a cost of about US$9 per kilowatt hour, about the same cost as AA alkaline batteries. D cells generate electricity for about $50/kWh.Expect to see another debate about "food or energy" to develop. The "antis" argue that these "food batteries" would be grown and used in areas of Africa where food may already be in short supply. Proponents, on the other hand, say many potatoes can't be moved to city markets in time to prevent them from rotting. BF ALUS and EG&S: The tangled world of ecological services Key Asian meat market in turmoil
Lallemand awards $14,000 in scholarships to support future animal agriculture leaders Wednesday, January 7, 2026 Lallemand Animal Nutrition has announced the recipients of its 2025 scholarship program, awarding a total of $14,000 to five undergraduate and graduate students pursuing careers in animal science, nutrition, and veterinary medicine. Now in its 11th year, the program recognizes students... Read this article online
Plants flip genetic switch to survive sudden cold, study finds Tuesday, January 6, 2026 One things for sure—weather happens. When a sudden cold snap hits a farm, it can destroy seedlings slow growth. It can make the season's growth 'iffy' going forward. But like a ray of sunshine, results from a new study offer farmers hope. Scientists have discovered how plants... Read this article online
Swine Health Ontario confirms first PED case of 2026 Tuesday, January 6, 2026 Ontario has its first case of porcine epidemic diarrhea (PED) in 2026. A finisher barn in Perth County is dealing with the disease as of Jan. 2, Swine Health Ontario says. In total, Ontario has 23 active instances of PED dating back to January 2025. Seven are in Perth County,... Read this article online
Bushel Plus unveils modular X9 Split Frame MAD Concaves for John Deere X9 combines Tuesday, January 6, 2026 Bushel Plus Ltd. has introduced a major update to its MAD Concave lineup with the launch of the X9 Split Frame MAD Concaves, a modular system engineered specifically for John Deere X9 Series combines. Bushel Plus is a global leader in harvest optimization technology, dedicated to helping... Read this article online
PigTek offers new warranties on select products Monday, January 5, 2026 Following recent updates to its feed line offering, PigTek of Milford, Indiana, has announced new five-year limited warranties on select products. The company’s anchor bearing, stainless-steel boots, and stainless-steel control units now come with the industry-leading warranties for... Read this article online