Wisconsin Farmer Offsets Low Corn Prices with Ethanol Ownership

Cal Dalton's stake in local ethanol plant helps offset impact of depressed corn market.

Apr. 11, 2026 at 12:03am

A vibrant abstract composition of overlapping triangles and circles in shades of yellow, blue, and red, conceptually representing the financial benefits of farmer-owned ethanol production for corn growers.Farmer-owned ethanol plants offer a vital revenue stream for Midwest corn growers facing persistently low commodity prices.Endeavor Today

A Wisconsin farmer named Cal Dalton says the low prices paid for corn are less painful thanks to his ownership stake in a local ethanol production facility. Dalton, who farms near Endeavor, Wisconsin, is one of over 800 owners of United Wisconsin Grain Producers, an ethanol plant located in nearby Friesland.

Why it matters

The ethanol industry has provided an important revenue stream for corn farmers in the Midwest, helping offset the impact of persistently low corn prices that have squeezed farm incomes in recent years. Farmer-owned ethanol plants like the one Dalton is invested in have allowed growers to capture more of the value chain.

The details

Dalton tells Brownfield news that his ownership stake in the ethanol plant has helped make up for the low prices he's receiving for his corn crop. The United Wisconsin Grain Producers facility in Friesland produces fuel alcohol, providing an important local market for the corn grown by its farmer-owners.

  • Dalton has been a part-owner of the ethanol plant for several years.

The players

Cal Dalton

A Wisconsin farmer who owns a stake in a local ethanol production facility that helps offset the impact of low corn prices on his farm.

United Wisconsin Grain Producers

An ethanol plant located in Friesland, Wisconsin that is owned by over 800 local farmers, including Cal Dalton.

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What they’re saying

“If you've got ownership in an ethanol plant, lower price […]”

— Cal Dalton, Farmer

The takeaway

Farmer-owned ethanol plants have provided a critical revenue stream for corn growers in the Midwest, helping offset the impact of persistently low commodity prices and allowing farmers to capture more of the value from their crops.