Apr 28 2010
Lake Area Corn Processors owns Dakota Ethanol plant, which produces ethanol from corn. Ethanol is produced from the corn kernels. Ethanol is a renewable resource with clean burning. Ethanol reduces emission of carbon dioxide.
Initially the plant was designed to produce only 40 million gallons of ethanol, and with the improvement in production technology, the Dakota Ethanol plant now produces 48 million gallons of ethanol annually. The plant at Dakota Ethanol utilizes 17 million bushels of corn from the region where it is located to produce ethanol.
Dried distillers grain, modified distillers grain and syrup are the available byproducts after the production of ethanol. Dry distillers grain with solubles is the byproduct produced after the process of making ethanol. The wet feed product is dried in large drum driers. This product is rich in protein and has high energy content. This product can be used instead of forages and concentrates, and can be given to lactating cows and growing cattle.
The modified distillers grain is passed through only one drier and then it is blended with syrup to achieve 50% moisture. This product is also rich in protein, vitamins, fat and minerals. As this product has higher energy content, it can be given to lactating cows and growing cattle. Corn stalks, straw and CRP grass can be replaced with this modified distillers grain.