Michigan Corn Growers executive outlines state corn production, ethanol and markets to House Agriculture Committee

Lansing — Scott Pigott, executive director of the Michigan Corn Growers and the Corn Marketing Program of Michigan, told the Michigan House Agriculture Committee that corn remains one of the state’s leading crops and urged lawmakers to back policies that support demand, research and renewable fuels.

Pigott told the committee that about 11,000 farmers plant more than 2,000,000 acres of corn in Michigan and described how corn is used across the state in livestock feed, ethanol production and exports. “If you think about the amount of — I’m sorry, I already misspoke. 11,000 farmers plant more than 2,000,000 acres of corn in the state,” Pigott said.

He said 36% of Michigan’s corn production goes to ethanol and described the industry’s role in producing dried distillers grain, a byproduct used as livestock feed. “A lot of that corn comes back to the farm. It comes back in the form of what’s called dried distillers grain. We use it on my farm to feed cattle,” Pigott said.

Pigott described advances in seed genetics and precision agriculture that have boosted yields — he cited an average state yield of 168 bushels per acre last year — and noted that margins for growers are tight because crop input costs have not fallen as much as commodity prices. “While crop inputs, machinery, labor have all maintained their expense levels, the price of corn has decreased 40% since 2022. But our input costs only declined 6%,” he said.

Pigott asked lawmakers to consider policies that expand demand for corn, including supporting higher ethanol blends such as E15 and E85 and backing research into renewable products made from corn, including biodegradable plastics and sustainable aviation fuel. “We are very interested in a bill that was passed by the Senate last year and didn’t come to this House, to advance sustainable aviation fuel,” he said, noting airline partners such as Delta have expressed interest.

Committee members asked technical questions about nitrogen and crop nutrition, online sales channels for corn-related products and the distinction between field corn and sweet corn. Representative Pavlov asked how lightning contributes to plant-available nitrogen; Pigott explained lightning helps convert atmospheric nitrogen into forms plants can use. Representative Fox and others asked about environmental benefits of ethanol; Pigott said ethanol is a renewable fuel and can reduce carbon emissions compared with some fossil fuels, while acknowledging agriculture still relies heavily on petroleum-based products.

Pigott closed by offering the corn growers’ assistance to the committee on legislative matters that affect the industry. “If at any point I can help with that, or any of our farmers can help you to understand the impact of the changes that you look at through legislation, please don’t hesitate,” he said.

Committee Chair Nyar thanked Pigott and moved the meeting on to the next agenda item.