1 The Role of R&D in Enhancing Profitability Bridging to New Opportunities Presented to the 2004 Virginia Agriculture Summit Feb 24, 2004 Jim Porterfield.

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The Role of R&D in Enhancing ProfitabilityBridging to New Opportunities

Presented to the 2004 Virginia Agriculture Summit

Feb 24, 2004

Jim PorterfieldAmerican Farm Bureau

Foundation for Agriculture

Am. Inst. of Sustainable Science & Technology Inc. 2

Profits from Small Diameter Logs

The LPSA Technology(Light Post-tensioned Segmented Arch)

Ibrahim Al-Khattat

Am. Inst. of Sustainable Science & Technology Inc. 3

10 m (35 ft) LPSA pedestrian bridge

Am. Inst. of Sustainable Science & Technology Inc. 4

10 m (35 ft) LPSA bridge

Am. Inst. of Sustainable Science & Technology Inc. 5

Projected 20 m LPSA Bridge

Am. Inst. of Sustainable Science & Technology Inc. 6

LPSA Connector for 20 m Bridge

Am. Inst. of Sustainable Science & Technology Inc. 7

LPSA spiral staircase

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LPSA spiral staircase for an observation tower

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2. Profitable technologies:

•Small Diameter Timber (SDT): as a superb structural material for buildings and bridges of all sizes, shapes and applications.

•The LPSA: generating profitable farm-based industries and products.

Am. Inst. of Sustainable Science & Technology Inc. 10

Processing energy (GJ/m3) for various construction materials

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

Materials

Gravel

Green SDT

Dry SDT

Sawn lumber

Glu-lam

Cement

Masonry

Flake board

Plywood

Particle brd

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LPSA Building, N. Wales, U.K.

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Award winning LPSA building, N. Wales, U.K.

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LPSA Connector unit, N. Wales, U.K.

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LPSA Building, N. Wales, U.K.

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20 m LPSA research bridge & dome, U.K.

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Projected 18 m LPSA highway bridge

Am. Inst. of Sustainable Science & Technology Inc. 17

SDT Conclusions

• Diversification of income, esp. for family farm businesses.

• Vast resource (SDT) may spare remaining natural forests.

• Profitable forest mngmt / fire prevention.

• SDT as a basis for sustainable devpt.

• Major implications for construction, recycling and forest products industries.

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NO-TILL COTTON

Photo Courtesy of Ronnie Barentine

19Photo Courtesy of Ronnie Barentine

Research Adjusted the Equipment

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No-Till Saves Oil, Toil and Soil

Photo Courtesy of Ronnie Barentine

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0 .5

0 .6

0 .7

0 .8

0 .9

1

1 .1

1 .2

1 .3

1 .4

1 9 7 0 1 9 8 0 1 9 9 0 2 0 0 0 2 0 1 0

L b s . N /b u

T h eN e x t 1 0y e a rs ?

G o in g W ro n g W a y

Im p ro v in g D ra m a t ic a lly

S lo w in g D o w n

T h e N e x t 1 0 Y e a r s : Im p r o v in g N i t r o g e n U s e o n C o r n ? ( 5 - y r r u n n in g a v e r a g e f o r U .S . D a t a S o u r c e : U S D A N A S S )

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NEW UREA FERTILIZERS

Stabl-U™ LN chip Inside Nurea NPK Cornstarch & Perlite ENS Polymer Coating

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2003 NEW US INVENTION

10X 60X

LN “MICROCHIPS” INSIDE UREA PREVENTS GROUND WATER LEACHING.

Photos Courtesy of Bi-En Corp

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Urea 0.5% LN 5% LN

MICROCHIPS IN UREA EXPANDS UREA’S ACTION

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Soluble LN Calcium (Ca++) = Stronger Plants

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

Check Urea Stabl-U

HEIGHT

2001 Stabl-U* Corn Starter Fertilizer Study

2001 Greenhouse tray, in seed furrow drenchArise Research & Discovery; Martinville, Ill.Stabl-U is urea with a micro chip of Lime Nitrogen Stabilizer fertilizer in each granule

2001

# of N per acre 12 12

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220199

1 2

Lbs N/ac

Bushels

Lbs N/ac

24"24"

Bushels

45 ppm

28 ppm

12"

34 ppm

12 ppm

12"

$35.00Net

profit/acre

Soil water

NITRATE N

soil top

60 60

UREA 0.5%STABL-U

CLEAN WATER & $s FERTILIZEREnhanced Efficiency

FIELD CORN

2001AMERICAN FARM BUREAU FEDERATION/ARISE RESEARCH & DISCOVERY Martinsville, Ill.

Stabl-U tm & patented Bi-En Corp

Siltyclayloam

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160

90

158155Lbs

N/ac

Lbs N/ac

Bushels

15.9 ppm

7.4 ppm

Bushels

soil top

1%STABL-U*UREAEPA safe drinking water TMDL

10 ppm

TILE WATER NITRATE NDrain tile Drain tile

2001AMERICAN FARM BUREAU FEDERATION/ARISE RESEARCH & DISCOVERY Martinsville, Ill.

*tm & patented Bi-En Corp

CLEAN WATER FERTILIZERFIELD CORN

Enhanced Efficiency

Siltyclayloam

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Corn Yield: Stabl-U (SU) vs Urea n = 32 samples for each average

+19 bu +14 bu

+18 bu +4 bu

100

120

140

160

# seeds/ac

Co

rn Y

ield

b

u/a

cUrea Average SU Average

28,000 36,000 40,000 44,000

Data Source: Royster Clark 2002

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Corn: Average Gross$/ac after Subtracting Cost of Stabl-U or Urea and Cost of Extra Seed

n = 32 samples for each average

$223 $224

$232

$240

$247$249 $248

$234

$200

$210

$220

$230

$240

$250

$260

28,000 36,000 40,000 44,000

# seeds/ac

$/a

cAvg Urea Avg Stabl-U

+$24 +$25 +$16

-$4

Data Source: Royster Clark 2002

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Stabilized Dairy Wastewater

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Nurea

38-3-4 slow release N- P- K

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ENS

Polymer Coated Urea Slow Release

Better or = yieldsLess NO2 emissionLess Leaching

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ConclusionsDon’t Forget to Research Some of the New Fertilizerand Construction Technologies

Because of their Energy Efficiency Potentials, DOE Might bePotential Research Funding Source.