Introduction

At the conference in Minneapolis on 30 June 2003, experts from universities, governments and industries explored the similarities and differences between the United States and Norway, and discussed the possibilities for collaboration. The conference was successful in identifying specific recommendations for collaboration in research, education and policy-making. The conference decided to meet again in Norway in 2004 for a follow-up workshop to encourage and to identify further collaboration.

Even though none of the numerous areas of research were given priority at last year’s conference, the working groups have jointly noted that issues related to “Bioenergy and new biobased products” and “Livestock security” were to be considered as the most important. The objective of this workshop has been to further specify areas and forms of cooperation, while at the same time enabling operational progress in the joint projects.

Final conclusions and recommendations

In connection with the proposed projects, the following items for action were noted in response to the workshop and discussions at Staur:

• Fund 2-4 seed grants (all areas discussed, and more eligible (we fund as appropriate from sources we can each tap))
• Student exchange programs
• Intense workshop courses
• Follow-up meeting – timing (jubilee; student poster session, venue)
• Interim funding and procedures for administration/leadership of partnership prior to full funding of Joint Chair
• Challenge for matching proposals for bilateral leverage funding
• Challenge for bilateral special opportunity funding (bring forth the innovative proposals and market them)

The organizing team will immediately delegate responsibility for each item and set deadlines.

Welcome Addresses

• Lars Sponheim, Norway’s Minister of Agriculture Read more
• Gene Hugoson, Commissioner, Minnesota Department of Agriculture

R&D Cooperation U.S.-Norway - Goals and Potentials

Christina Abildgaard, Director, Div. for Strategic Priorities, The Research Council of Norway:
“The Environmental Impact of Agriculture and Energy Use: Challenges and Opportunities – New Perspectives of The Research Council of Norway” Read more

Per Harald Grue, Secretary General, Norwegian Ministry of Agriculture:
“The Norwegian Ministry of Agriculture’s goal of increased cooperation with North America”. Read more

Bob Elde, Dean, College of Biological Sciences, U of M:
“Ideas for a Roadmap for Biomass Technologies”. Read more

Specific Project Areas – Overview Presentations in a U.S.-Norwegian Perspective

Sigbjørn Lien, Prof., Dept. of Animal and Aquacultural Sciences, NLH:
“Genomics”. Read more

Lanny Schmidt, Prof., Initiative for Renewable Energy and the Environment, Dept. of Chemical Engineering, U of M:
“Renewable Hydrogen and Olefins by Autothermal Reforming”. Read more

Educational Opportunities

Kate VandenBusch, Head, Dept. of Plant Pathology, U of M:
“Graduate Programs at The University of Minnesota”. Read more

Knut Hove, President, The Agricultural University of Norway:
“Educational Opportunities at the Agricultural University of Norway”. Read more

Industrial Linkages

Jon Martin Huslid, Director, Statoil ASA, Norway:
“Bioproteins and Biopellets”

Sverre Bjørnstad, CEO/President, Geno Breeding and AI Association, Norway:
“Why is it important for Geno to establish research collaboration with the U.S.?”. Read more

Johanne Brendehaug, Research Director, Tine R&D Center, Norway:
“R&D Activities at Tine” Read more

Robert Walker, Director, Bixby, U.S.:
“Commercialization of Biomass for Household Energy Production”. Read more.

Michelle Swanson, Manager Policy Analysis, Xcel Energy, U.S.:
“A Utility’s Experience in Renewable Development”. Read more

Elisabet Fjermestad Hagen, Director, Hydrogen Business Development, Norsk Hydro ASA:
“Biohydrogen - Prospects in a Transatlantic Perspective”. Read more

Gudbrand Rødsrud, R&D Director, Borregaard LignoTech:
“Biobased Industrial Materials and Opportunities”. Read more

Field Trip

The Norwegian Emigrant Museum, Hamar. Norway’s only national museum devoted solely to emigration. The outdoor museum illustrates the life led by Norwegian emigrants to the American Midwest during the 1880s. www.museumsnett.no/emigrantmuseum

Store Ree A.I. Centre, Hamar ( www.geno.no)

• Geno – GENO is a farmer’s cooperative, owned and managed by Norwegian dairy farmers. The main aim is to breed the NRF Norwegian Dairy Cattle for the Norwegian and international markets with local representatives in the U.S. GENO is responsible for both developing and managing breeding schemes, as well as reproductive techniques. www.geno.no
  www.geno.no
• Norsvin - Norsvin International AS is shipping breeding pigs to the U.S., including pure nucleus lines and parental stock. A separate company - Norsvin USA LCC - is established for the purpose of management of the daughter nucleus herd and marketing of parental stock. www.norsvin.no
  www.norsvin.no
• Graminor – Graminor is a Norwegian plant breeding company established in 2002 to concentrate the ongoing work on breeding, to represent the owners and to market and produce prebasic material. www.graminor.no
  www.graminor.no

The Energy Farm - a Bioenergy Information Center, Brandbu. www.energigarden.no

• At the foot of the old volcano Brandbukampen, surrounded by cultivated land and with a wide view of Randsfjorden, lies the Eidsalm Farm. Around the farmyard are houses from the mid-18th century, the storehouse with its bell tower and the old barn next to the energy barn; a group of buildings connecting the past with the future. The energy barn has been constructed with future sources of energy and the requirement for environmental protection in mind. Today the barn functions as a combination of production building and information center for bio- and solar energy.
  Read more

List of Participants

Read more

3. november 2004