by Mari Radtke
Jake Wetter, Commodities Manager for Little Sioux Corn Processors (LSCP) near Marcus explained the long-planned improvements to grain receiving at the ethanol plant. He described the construction as “really changing the landscape.”
The ethanol plant began construction in November 2001. Its first load of DDGs went out on April 7, 2003 and sent out it first railcar of ethanol just 8 days later. Production capacity at the plant started at 40MMGY (million gallons per year). The plant took on 4 productive capacity expansions since then putting the plant with the ability to produce up to 165 MMGY of ethanol. A lot of investment has been put into production.
It’s time, now for receiving corn to keep up. Wetter said, “There has been no in-bound grain receiving expansion. The efficiency of dumping and sorting will increase.” Currently, the plant can intake up to 40,000 bushels per hour. LSCP is adding 3 pits that can accept and sort 30,000 bushels per hour each. The additional 90,000 bushels per hour of dumping and sorting ability will allow the plant to take up to 130,000 bushels every hour. They are also adding to its storage capacity. 3 new units that can store up to 2 million bushels each will be built near the dumping pits. The current 3 million storage capacity will increase to 9 million bushels.
The additional pits are being built south of the railroad tracks. The area is currently leveled and is waiting for the next steps.
Emissions permits have been applied for and bids will be taken for the construction project. They expect the new pits to be taking grain for the 2025 harvest.
Wetter says, “I’m excited the time is finally here. This will be one of the most progressive and efficient plants. It is one way to keep in the top tier of [ethanol] plants in the nation.”