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Meetings to Gauge Support for Northwest MN Ethanol Plant

A study sponsored by the Agricultural Utilization Research Institute (AURI) has found potential for a grain-powered ethanol plant in northwestern Minnesota. Now, a series of grower meetings in the region will help organizers gauge interest among producers and help determine a potential site.

The original intent of the study, which was also supported by the Minnesota Wheat Research and Promotion Council and Minnesota Barley Research and Promotion Council, was to evaluate the potential of using barley, wheat or corn as the sole feedstock for an ethanol plant. The study, conducted by BBI International, showed that while corn is the preferred feedstock for ethanol, a barley and corn mixture is feasible.  According to the feasibility study, a plant with a production capacity of 15 million gallons per year would be optimal. 

A series of three grower meetings will be held Nov. 19-20 in Crookston, Warren and Thief River Falls to gauge producer support for a plant in those communities. Plant organizers may also take into account a scoring matrix that evaluates infrastructure such as rail transportation and utilities before selecting a site. 

Scheduled meetings include:

• Nov. 19, 9:00 am, Northland Inn, Hwy 2 & 75, Crookston, MN

• Nov. 19, 2:00 pm, Warren City Hall, 120 E Bridge Avenue, Warren, MN

• Nov. 20, 9:00 am, Best Western, Room B, Hwy 32 South, Thief River Falls, MN

The Minnesota State Legislature has not yet approved an extension of Minnesota’s ethanol producer’s credit to the proposed plant, so there is no current plan to build a plant. However, the grower meetings will help move the process forward.

For more information, contact Michael Sparby at the AURI Northern Office in Crookston, (218) 281-7600 or the MBRPC in Red Lake Falls, (218) 253-4311.

Winning the Marketing Game Focus of Workshops
“Winning the Game 2” is an interactive grain marketing program that includes a market simulation game using actual market prices and histories. Points of emphasis are:

•  Utilizing seasonal trends and price differences in cash grain marketing decisions.

•  Understanding crop revenue coverage (CRC) and loan deficiency payments (LDP’s) as part of a grain marketing plan.

•  A ‘real life’ test of your skills using actual seasonal grain market prices.

•  Increased awareness of marketing resources.