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Minnesota ethanol plant prepared for disappointing corn crop

An ethanol plant in south-central Minnesota is prepared for a disappointing corn crop.

Highwater Ethanol CEO Brian Kletscher says supplies could tighten following a tough growing season in the region.

“We’re going to have corn out there, it’s going to be available. But between the livestock and the ethanol plant, we need to make sure we’re dividing that corn up and working to ensure everybody has adequate corn.”

He tells Brownfield ethanol plants can source regionally if there’s a problem locally.

“It’s just a matter of moving the corn where it needs to go, and with the lower yields it will have an impact. It could change the basis in the area.”

He says last harvest northeast Iowa had a poor crop and ethanol plants in that area sourced corn from southern Minnesota.

Kletscher made these comments during Brownfield affiliate KNUJ’s Farm Forum Friday.