Alternative Uses for Sprouted Wheat May Include Biomass Heating Systems
7/31/09
Contact: Laura Probyn
517-432-1555, ext. 175
EAST LANSING, Mich. -- While dry summer weather can stunt still growing corn and soybean crops, the recent excessive rains that fell across Michigan are causing challenges for wheat growers, as their mature crops germinated and sprouted while still in the field.
“This sprouted grain causes problems in the quality of flour that’s milled from this wheat,” says Mark Seamon, Michigan State University (MSU) Product Center for Agriculture and Natural Resources bioeconomy innovation counselor based in Saginaw. “Because of the reduced quality of the flour, farmers’ returns are discounted, sometimes so severely that some wheat may not even be harvested.”
One alternative market for wheat is as livestock feed. Careful attention must be paid to the wheat quality and balancing a feed ration that will not harm the livestock or hinder its performance.
Another possibility is to use the wheat as fuel in biomass heating systems. Also known as pellet stoves or corn stoves, many of the heating units can burn many types of grain and biomass pellets. Those who own or are considering purchasing such a system should check the owners’ manual or contact the manufacturer for specific recommendations for operating these stoves with different types of solid fuel.
“Wheat kernel size is different, which can affect the flow of combustion air in the burn chamber of your stove,” Seamon says. “Fuel feed rates may also be different with changes in fuel sources. You might have to adjust them for good stove performance.”
Wheat’s energy density is similar to corn. One source lists corn as containing 7,400 Btu per pound, while wheat offers 7,150 Btu per pound. These data were measured from high-quality grain, which is likely to be different from that of sprouted wheat.
“Comparing costs among biomass fuels will help you determine the best value for you,” Seamon says. “Because corn and wheat can have similar energy densities, a direct comparison may be a good estimate.”
To find out more about biomass fueled heating system, pick up a new MSU Extension bulletin titled, “Heating Buildings and Business Operations with Biomass Fuel: A Planning Guide” (bulletin number E-3044).
This bulletin is available for free online at http://web2.msue.msu.edu/bulletins/Bulletin/PDF/E3044.pdf or from any MSU Extension county office.
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