Associated Press
 
September 11, 2008
 
LA GRANDE, Ore. -- A new twist in technology could change the way farmers harvest their crops.
 
A La Grande company called DSquared Development is marketing a device called a spectrophotometer that can be mounted on a wheat combine to analyze the protein content of grain as it is harvested.
 
Wheat protein levels vary not only from field to field, but also from place to place within a field.
 
The company says that being able to pinpoint the protein levels gives farmers a huge marketing advantage because prices depend on it.
 
The company says there are several other applications for the device, including a way to detect bruising and diseases in trout, salmon and sturgeon.