September 1, 2006

Ethanol plant in US state South Dakota nearly operational

An ethanol plant that's being built at Loomis in Davison County, South Dakota, should be operating by mid-November.

The Prairie Ethanol plant will use 21 million bushels of corn to produce 60 million gallons of the octane-boosting fuel additive each year.

Officials say the plant will eventually have about 40 employees who will work in 12-hour shifts.

In addition to ethanol, the Loomis plant will also sell distiller's grain, which is used for livestock feed.