SALEM, Ore. -- The Oregon Department of Agriculture is studying whether Willamette Valley ryegrass growers could convert their waste straw into biofuel.

Grass seed is a multimillion-dollar industry in Oregon, where growers ship their product around the world.

But waste straw left behind at harvest has always been a problem. Now the state is joining forces with the Oregon Seed Council and Oregon State University researchers to find out if the straw can be made into cellulosic ethanol.

That's a form of alcohol produced mostly from the waste plant material -- but it's still ethanol and can be used for a variety of energy needs, including biofuel.

The project has already gotten an initial $250,000 grant to start the research.