U.S. Grains & BioProducts Council

The U.S. Grains & BioProducts Council develops export markets for U.S. corn, sorghum, barley, ethanol and distiller’s grains with solubles.

[U.S. Grains & BioProducts Council @usgrainscouncil]

Earlier this month, staff based in our regional office for Europe, the Middle East and Africa traveled to Nigeria to meet with several influential agribusinesses and discuss further trade opportunities for U.S. corn, sorghum and their co-products including corn gluten meal and new generation distiller’s dried grains with solubles. The mission combined site visits, individualized technical training and meetings with major feed manufacturers and potential end-users.

Pictured are USGBC Deputy Regional Director for Africa Mohamed Salah Bouthour (third from left), USGBC Regional Nutrition Consultant Alaa Badr (middle) and USGBC Nigeria Consultant Sofela Sofolabi (fourth from right).

Learn more about our work in Nigeria: https://t.co/OtS2G14L38

#Corn #Sorghum #DDGS #Grains26

[U.S. Grains & BioProducts Council @usgrainscouncil]

USGBC organized a tour of the U.S. corn value chain for representatives from Japan’s corn food and feed industry to introduce them to the fundamentals of U.S. corn production and distribution. They also offered updates on the advantages of U.S. corn sourced from major growing regions.

The team arrived in Iowa and visited ADM, a USGBC member, to tour its river terminal in Burlington and understand how U.S. agricultural goods are moved for export. Later, the team toured two ethanol plants and a farm to see how U.S. corn is produced and harnessed.

Iowa State University then welcomed the group to its Kent Feed Mill for a demonstration of how U.S. corn is used in feed formulas to maximize nutritional content.

Before heading home, the delegation visited a shipping logistics company and an export terminal in Washington to observe how U.S. products make their way to customers in Asia.

Read more: https://t.co/RgcI5IgBzv

#Corn #Ethanol #Grains26

[U.S. Grains & BioProducts Council @usgrainscouncil]

📸 Photo of the Week: Koch Speaks at IEA Bioenergy Hearing in Brazil

Last week, U.S. Grains & BioProducts Council staff traveled to Campinas, Brazil to attend the International Energy Agency's Task 39 Industry Hearing.

Pictured, USGBC Director of Global Ethanol Export Development Alicia Koch speaks about the international regulations, certifications and infrastructure supporting global biofuel use in the transportation sector.

#PhotoOfTheWeek #Grains26 #Ethanol

[U.S. Grains & BioProducts Council @usgrainscouncil]

Last month, USGBC hosted a trade mission for 18 buyers and executives from Central American feed producers and end-users, bringing the delegation to Kentucky to gain firsthand insight into the current U.S. corn crop and the production and use of co-products, particularly distiller’s dried grains with solubles (DDGS).

The initiative aimed to retain and increase purchases of U.S. feed grains in the region, with a particular focus on Guatemala, which currently imports more than 1 million metric tons (39,000 bushels) of corn and is a growing market for U.S. DDGS.

“As demand for animal protein grows in the region, it is increasingly important that end-users have access to high-quality, high-performing feed ingredients that can support greater production and efficiency,” said Alexander Grabois, USGBC deputy regional director for Latin America.

Read more: https://t.co/z4qfcMboTu

#Corn #DDGS #Grains26

[U.S. Grains & BioProducts Council @usgrainscouncil]

The U.S. Grains & BioProducts Council, in cooperation with the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo, recently led two Japanese delegations covering feed, food and environmental regulations to the U.S. for meetings with government officials, biotechnology seed companies and industry organizations, as well as U.S. corn farmers and companies involved in the production, distribution and exports of U.S. corn to Japan.

The teams – one delegation of Japanese government advisors led by USGBC Director in Japan Tommy Hamamoto and a second delegation of Japanese regulators led by USGBC Deputy Director in Japan Chris Markey – were keen to better understand the safety protocols and quality assurance measures embedded throughout the U.S. corn value chain that underpin the continuity of U.S. corn exports to Japan.

Read more: https://t.co/jRArHZvaOh

#Grains26

[U.S. Grains & BioProducts Council @usgrainscouncil]

USGBC joined a U.S. Department of Agriculture Agricultural Trade Mission in New Zealand and Australia to meet public and private sector leaders and discuss opportunities for the U.S. agricultural industry to further support the feed and fuel needs of the region.

Pictured are USGBC Regional Ethanol Consultant Kent Yeo (leftmost); USGBC Chairman Jay Reiners (second from left); USGBC Regional Director for Southeast Asia & Oceania (SEA&O) Caleb Wurth (second from right); and USGBC Deputy Regional Director for SEA&O Caleb Floss (rightmost).

Learn more about the Council’s work in SEA&O: https://t.co/IphB8uMq1R

#Trade #Grains26

[U.S. Grains & BioProducts Council @usgrainscouncil]

The Business Council for International Understanding (@BCIU) is pleased to invite you to attend a panel session “Building the Low-Carbon Bioeconomy - Food, Fuel & Transportation”, co-hosted with the U.S. Grains and BioProducts Council and @BracewellLaw. The session will be held on Monday, September 21, 2026, from 1:00PM-3:00PM in New York, NY.

As new solutions and alternatives to traditional fossil fuel usage are sought after, it is often the case that an existing, readily available, and scalable solution is overlooked: Ethanol. This high-level panel discussion will outline current demand trends, the policy landscape, and the broader value proposition and use cases of ethanol. This program will��convene the private sector, multilateral organizations, and government policy makers for an educational discussion focused on identifying opportunities for ethanol market expansion.

Register and learn more: https://t.co/nLR8DgfGCQ

[U.S. Grains & BioProducts Council @usgrainscouncil]

John Fornazor was recognized for his 15 years of service to the U.S. Grains & BioProducts Council at our 66th Annual Board of Delegates Meeting, held in Milwaukee, WI in July.

“Wow, 15 years went quick! The greatest return we’ve received from the Council over the years is connecting us with buyers across the globe,” Fornazor said.

“We’ve always gotten real value from Export Exchange and other regional events the Council holds to establish U.S. products as the preferred option for international customers.”

Fornazor is the vice president at Fornazor International, a container exporter, where he oversees the company’s exports of U.S. corn and soybeans. Fornazor International will celebrate 40 years in business in 2027.

“The Council’s regional offices and representatives have always helped introduce us to new market opportunities and several long-term accounts we have here that came to us through the Council,” Fornazor said.

Please congratulate John on his dedication to the Council and its mission of developing markets, enabling trade and improving lives!

[U.S. Grains & BioProducts Council @usgrainscouncil]

Photo of the Week: Council Escorts Mexican Feed Grain Purchasers to Midwest to Develop Direct Sourcing Opportunities

Last week, the U.S. Grains & BioProducts Council invited Mexican grain importers to Iowa, Nebraska and Kansas to provide participants with valuable educational and business development opportunities while strengthening their understanding of the U.S. grain supply chain and expanding commercial relationships with U.S. agricultural cooperatives.

#PhotoOfTheWeek #Grains26

[U.S. Grains & BioProducts Council @usgrainscouncil]

Today. And every day. We remember.

[U.S. Grains & BioProducts Council @usgrainscouncil]

📲 USGBC Conversion Calculator Simplifies Working with Agricultural Units

Looking to convert bushels to metric tons? Gallons to liters? Square feet to square meters? Our conversion app quickly and conveniently converts grain data.

The app easily converts between English and metric ton units for U.S. barley, corn, sorghum and related products, including distiller’s dried grains with solubles (DDGS) and ethanol. A recent update to the app’s display has made calculating large sums on the go easier thanks to commas and decimals that will be automatically added to relevant quantities.

To download, just search “USGBC Grains Calculator” on your phone’s app store. The app is accessible in English, Arabic, Japanese, Mandarin, Spanish, French and Korean.

Learn more about the app or use the web version at https://t.co/4Y7liFYmjI.

#Calculator #Grains26

[U.S. Grains & BioProducts Council @usgrainscouncil]

Recently, the U.S. Grains & BioProducts Council led a team of South Korean food barley buyers to North Dakota, Idaho and Washington to facilitate networking and business opportunities with U.S. barley growers and exporters.

Korea consumes approximately 180,000 metric tons (8.3 million bushels) of barley annually, primarily for food processing and as a rice substitute. Domestic production fluctuates significantly due to weather conditions and disease concerns and typically supplies only a portion of total demand, making Korea a consistent importer of barley.

The team landed in Fargo to kick off the program with presentations on U.S. barley production from Steven Edwardson and Greg Kessel of the North Dakota Barley Council. Later, Valley Grain Milling welcomed the group for a tour of its facilities and to showcase its barley processing capabilities.

In Idaho, the delegation met with a range of crucial barley supply chain stakeholders under the guidance of the Idaho Barley Commission. The itinerary included visits to Josh Jones Farms and Clearwater Farms to observe the barley harvesting process, and a tour of McKay Seed Company to discuss high-quality barley varieties and purchasing.

Finally, meetings with the Idaho Barley Commission, Inland Empire Milling and the United Grain Corporation expanded the group’s connections in the U.S. barley sector to lay the groundwork for future business partnerships.

Read the full story: https://t.co/KBrBAyqmRF

#Barley #Grains26

[U.S. Grains & BioProducts Council @usgrainscouncil]

U.S. Grains & BioProducts Council Regional Director for Taiwan Michael Lu attended the 10th New Energy International Forum, and the Council sponsored a keynote speaker to offer a global perspective on decarbonization, low-carbon fuel policies and the strategic role of biofuels in achieving net-zero objectives.

The 10th New Energy International Forum is one of the region’s premier energy policy and industry conferences, organized by Business Today magazine. The forum brings together senior government officials, energy companies, academics, media representatives and international experts to discuss energy transition and sustainability.

Read more: https://t.co/GbOuONQ3Mn

#Grains26

[U.S. Grains & BioProducts Council @usgrainscouncil]

USGBC escorted a group of Panamanian maritime shipping stakeholders to Illinois and Texas for an overview of U.S. ethanol production and capability in sustainable marine fuel.

Pictured at USGBC Past Chairman Mark Wilson’s farm in Toulon, IL are Illinois Corn Director of Exports & Logistics Collin Waters (leftmost), Wilson (seventh from right), USGBC Latin America Regional Ethanol Consultant Marcelo Velazquez (fifth from right) and USGBC Manager of Global Ethanol Programs Emma Freebairn (rightmost).

Learn more about our work in ethanol: https://t.co/ohDcUrlMJL

#Ethanol #BioProducts #Grains26

[U.S. Grains & BioProducts Council @usgrainscouncil]

📅 Export Exchange 2026 Hotel Block Closing Soon

Export Exchange 2026, held Oct. 17–19 in Seattle, WA, is fast approaching and the deadline to book a hotel room at the U.S. Grains & BioProducts Council’s reduced rate is Friday, Sept. 11.

#ExEx26 is the Council’s flagship conference, connecting U.S. producers and exporters with key global buyers. More than 200 international purchasers and end-users of coarse grains and co-products will be in attendance and trade teams with representatives from more than 50 countries will be visiting key components of the U.S. agricultural value chain before and after the meeting.

The event also boasts a lineup of industry experts offering presentations about global corn production, aquaculture sector opportunities, sorghum’s applications in food and feed and more.

Highlighted speakers include Wittaya Aqua CEO Stephen Gunther; Distillers Grains Technology Council Executive Director Dr. Joseph W. Ward; Polaris Analytics and Consulting Managing Member and Strategic Advisor Ken Eriksen; United Sorghum Checkoff Program Executive Director Norma Ritz Johnson; and USGBC Director of Global Sustainability Carlos F. Suárez.

More details about ExEx26’s schedule are available in the conference’s full agenda at https://t.co/P2WZNPTuAJ.

#Grains26

[U.S. Grains & BioProducts Council @usgrainscouncil]

⛽ Guatemala Begins E10 Blending Mandate, Opening New Market Opportunity for U.S. Ethanol

On August 22, Guatemala launched its E10 ethanol blending program in regular gasoline, marking a major milestone for the country’s fuel market and ethanol development in Central America. The program moves Guatemala from years of regulatory, technical and commercial preparation to practical implementation.

The launch resulted from a multi-year collaboration among public and private sector stakeholders, with sustained support from the U.S. ethanol industry and the U.S. Grains & BioProducts Council. The Guatemalan Ministry of Energy and Mines led the implementation domestically in coordination with ethanol producers, fuel importers, terminal operators, distributors, service stations and other supply chain participants.

“Guatemala’s E10 implementation is an important milestone for the country and for ethanol development across Central America,” said Marri Tejada, USGBC regional director for Latin America.

Read more about our work in Guatemala: https://t.co/Afh5crlxDc

#Ethanol #BioProducts #Grains26

[U.S. Grains & BioProducts Council @usgrainscouncil]

📸 Photo of the Week: Reiners, Southeast Asia & Oceania Team Join USDA ATM in New Zealand, Australia

Last week, USGBC joined a U.S. Department of Agriculture Agricultural Trade Mission in Australia and New Zealand to discuss possibilities for greater ethanol integration in the countries' transportation sectors and strengthen the relationship between U.S. feed grain exporters and regional livestock stakeholders.

Pictured from left to right in Wellington, New Zealand are USGBC Chairman Jay Reiners; USGBC Deputy Regional Director for Southeast Asia & Oceania (SEA&O) Caleb Floss; USGBC Regional Director for SEA&O Caleb Wurth; and USGBC Regional Ethanol Consultant Kent Yeo.

#PhotoOfTheWeek #Grains26

[U.S. Grains & BioProducts Council @usgrainscouncil]

Sean Broderick, director of risk, ethanol, distiller’s dried grains with solubles (DDGS) and containers at CHS Inc., was presented with a plaque commemorating his 15 years of service to the U.S. Grains & BioProducts Council during our 66th Annual Board of Delegates Meeting in Milwaukee, WI last month.

“It seems like the Council has always been part of the DDGS trade. My first trip representing them was to Morocco, and it was very impactful. We visited users that moved DDGS and corn gluten feed via everything from trucks to the back of motorbikes,” Broderick said.

Broderick previously served as the Council’s Value-Added Advisory Team (A-Team) leader and sits on the Council’s Board of Directors as Agribusiness Sector Director.

Please congratulate Sean on his 15 years of service with the Council!

[U.S. Grains & BioProducts Council @usgrainscouncil]

USGBC recently led 10 feed milling industry stakeholders from Colombia, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, New Zealand and Panama to Iowa State University for interactive sessions showcasing advanced feed manufacturing and mill management practices to improve operational efficiencies and storage that fully capitalize on the nutritional value of U.S corn and co-products.

The weeklong course combined classroom instruction with hands-on training at ISU’s Kent Feed Mill & Grain Science Complex, covering key feed milling principles including hammer and roller milling, particle size analysis, batching and mixing, steam generation and conditioning, pelleting, cooling and post-pelleting applications.

Learn more: https://t.co/z89bL2rTrt

#Corn #BioProducts #Grains26

[U.S. Grains & BioProducts Council @usgrainscouncil]

Greg Krissek, CEO Emeritus of the Kansas Corn Commission and Kansas Corn Growers Association, was presented with a plaque commemorating his 15 years of service to the U.S. Grains & BioProducts Council during its 66th Annual Board of Delegates Meeting in Milwaukee, WI last month.

Krissek was first introduced to the Council through his work as a staff member of Kansas Corn starting in 2000. He later went on to work for an ethanol service company involved with the Council. Krissek started attending meetings regularly in 2014 as the CEO of Kansas Corn and as an interested participant in USGBC Advisory Teams (A-Teams).

After 15 years of service with USGBC, Krissek encourages his growers and state staff to participate in similar missions.

Please thank Greg Krissek for his 15 years of service to the Council and for his dedication to building demand for U.S. grains and co-products around the world!