Michigan Ag News Headlines Michigan Corn Growers Get Revved Up for Ethanol Michigan Ag Connection - 09/21/2009 A record crowd of more than 980 corn growers gathered at the Michigan Corn Growers Association (MCGA) 2009 Ethanol Night at the Races last week, at Dixie Motor Speedway in Birch Run. Ethanol Night at the Races, a yearly highlight for MCGA members, is a way for MCGA to promote the use of ethanol, while combining great food, fellowship and a full night of racing. "Ethanol Night at the Races is a great outlet for us to showcase the many uses for ethanol," said Tom Durand, MCGA president and corn grower from Croswell. "We can't think of a better place to celebrate Michigan's ethanol accomplishments than at Ethanol Night at the Races." Ethanol, 200 proof alcohol, is a homegrown, renewable fuel made from corn. The most common consumer use of ethanol is E10, a blend of 10 percent ethanol and 90 percent unleaded gasoline. Many companies choose to blend ethanol because it provides consumers with a cleaner-burning, high-octane fuel. Currently, all automobile manufacturers warrantee the use of E10 in their vehicles. Another ethanol blend of fuel available to consumers is E85, a blend of 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline. E85 is to be used in flexible fuel vehicles (FFVs). FFVs have modified engines with the capability of running on E85, unleaded gasoline, and all combinations in between. A listing of FFVs and E85 pump locations can be found at www.e85fuel.com. "Since ethanol blends are widely available, ethanol Night at the Races is a great way for us to really highlight all of the advantages of using ethanol-blended fuels, while also thanking our members for their support during the past year," explained Durand. "This is an exciting way to showcase how agriculture can help consumers lessen our dependence on foreign oil through increased ethanol usage." In addition to learning about ethanol's performance capabilities in race cars, MCGA members also had the opportunity to examine Kettering University's ethanol-powered snowmobile and truck and visit with students and staff about their projects. Students and faculty from Saginaw Valley State University were also on hand to discuss new corn stove technology and the ethanol projects they had on display. Also on display was an ethanol powered mini-mod tractor from the Eastern Michigan Tractor Pulling Association. Ethanol Night at the Races is truly a member's event and two MCGA members who always go the extra mile in assisting with this event are Don Morse, a Pioneer Seed Dealer from Birch Run and Mark Bauer, who is a Pioneer Seed Dealer from Reese. Don and Mark are instrumental in the event as they and the corn growers of Saginaw County work diligently every year to help host the dinner. "We are so lucky to have Don, Mark and the other corn growers in Saginaw County," said Jody Pollok-Newsom, MCGA executive director. "Without them, Ethanol Night at the Races would not be possible." The MCGA would also like to thank the sponsors of the racing event who are key in helping make this event possible. The 2009 sponsors included Don Morse, a Pioneer Seed Dealer from Birch Run; ADM; The Andersons Albion Ethanol, LLC; Great Lakes Hybrids; Michigan Farm Radio Network; Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc and POET Biorefining. More from this state at: Michigan Ag Connection Copyright © 2009 - USAgNet.com. All Rights Reserved.