Dee River Ranch:
An Auburn Energy Partner
Dee River Ranch is an impressive 10,000 acres, stretching from Aliceville, Ala., across the state line into Mississippi. Run by the brother and sister team of Mike and Annie Dee, the farm is a model of agricultural innovation.The Dees plant 3,500 acres of row crops annually and raise 1,000 head of cattle. To do that, Dee River Ranch consumes by necessity a healthy amount of diesel fuel. In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, diesel fuel was scarce and expensive, and farm profits were hit hard. In an effort to become less dependent on outside fuel sources, Mike and Annie made the decision to produce their own fuel from renewable sources.
With the help of the Center for Bioenergy and Bioproducts at Auburn University’s Natural Resources Management & Development Institute, the Dees acquired the technology and technical knowledge to make the energy they needed. Using a screw press, the Dees extract oil from sunflower seeds, soybeans and canola grown right on the ranch. The oil is mixed with lye and methanol to produce biodiesel. The biodiesel is then blended with petroleum diesel and used to run the Dees’ tractors, farm equipment and trucks. This method yields an interesting co-product that the Dees were quick to take advantage of—a meal made from the leftover pressed sunflower, soybean and canola. The meal is high in protein and has proven to be an excellent supplement to the feeds and forages the Dees provide their cattle.
The partnership between Dee River Ranch and Auburn University is proving to be a tremendous success. The tractors run well on the new fuel, the cattle like the new feed and the Dees can protect their profits without having to raise prices—a great local solution to a global problem.
Alabama third-graders learn about alternative fuels at Dee River Ranch, Aliceville, Ala.