U.S. Grains Council

Terry Vinduska of the Kansas Corn Commission was honored for his outstanding 30 years of service to the U.S. Grains Council during our 22nd International Marketing Conference and 65th Annual Membership Meeting in Austin, Texas. “I believe those of us blessed to be involved in U.S. agriculture have an amazing opportunity to help the next generation through our involvement in the Council,” Vinduska said. “It has been a passion of mine for more than 30 years.” Please join the Council in thanking Terry for his service! Read more about Vinduska's involvement: https://lnkd.in/gcbKXe-e #Grains25

As the Philippines moves toward unlocking the potential of Synthetic Aviation Fuel through policy and industrial innovation, the Council collaborated with the Department of Transportation - Philippines and Boeing to conduct the first Philippines Synthetic Aviation Fuel Summit in Manila. The one-day summit brought together a holistic group of stakeholders critical to the implementation and scaling of the Philippines Synthetic Aviation Fuel industry to discuss feedstock, technology, environmental and policy considerations pertinent to Synthetic Aviation Fuel development in the country. Attendees included representatives from various Philippine governmental agencies, universities and multilaterals, as well as participants from the downstream fuel, upstream bioenergy and aviation industries. Dr. Steffen Mueller, principal economist at the University of Illinois Chicago’s Energy Resources Center, presented on international Synthetic Aviation Fuel certification pathways relevant to the Philippines at the Summit. Learn more about the Council's work in the Philippines: https://lnkd.in/g4cRdzcU #Grains25

Where is U.S. sorghum going? Dive in as we share our top U.S. sorghum export customers in marketing year 2023/2024. #Grains25 #Sorghum #Exports

Our regional office for Europe, the Middle East and Africa has been working to promote the use of cooking with biofuels in Africa, which can reduce harmful emissions in homes. USGC Regional Director for EMEA Ramy Taieb spoke at a clean cooking symposium in Nairobi, Kenya last week to connect with regional industry stakeholders about the benefits of clean cooking. “Ethanol cookstoves are providing a cleaner, safer and more efficient alternative that has the potential to revolutionize household energy use in Africa," Taieb said. Learn more about the Council's work in Africa: https://lnkd.in/gQEnHts9 #Grains25 #Ethanol

?? Photo Of The Week: Council Staff Speak To Members, Media At Commodity Classic 2025 This week, we welcomed visitors to our booth at Commodity Classic, held in Denver, CO, to discuss the Council's latest programming successes and our future strategies for U.S. agriculture in key export markets. Pictured from left to right are USGC Director of Trade Policy Andrew Brandt; USGC Director of Communications Bryan Jernigan; USGC Director of Industry Relations Ellen S. Zimmerman; USGC Manager of Global Strategies and Trade Alexander Grabois; and USGC Manager of Communications Will Margerum. #Grains25 #PhotoOfTheWeek #POTW #Classic25

Our members are essential to the Council's mission of developing markets, enabling trade and improving lives by contributing their expertise to USGC programming. To honor members who have reached landmarks of service to the Council and the U.S. agricultural industry, we presented commemorative plaques to those who have dedicated 10 and 15 years of service during the 22nd International Marketing Conference and 65th Annual Membership Meeting in Austin, Texas, held Feb. 12-14. Commemorative plaques for years of service were presented to: ? Kent Moore, Kansas Corn Commission, 15 years ? Greg Alber, Iowa Corn Growers Association, 10 years ? Doug Albin, Minnesota CornResearch and Promotion Council, 10 years ? Hayden Eicher, Virginia Corn Board, 10 years ? Jim Reed, Illinois Corn Marketing Board, 10 years ? Bruce Wetzel, Texas Corn Producers Association, 10 years ? Mark Wilson, Illinois Corn Marketing Board, 10 years “The Council’s membership is the backbone of all we do, working in lockstep with staff to ensure U.S. agricultural products remain the preferred choice in markets around the world,” said Ellen S. Zimmerman, USGC director of industry relations. “Reaching 10 years of service to the Council is a testament to their hard work and dedication to the Council and to U.S. producers everywhere.” Thank you to these members for their landmark years of service to the Council! #Grains25

Colombia imported $4.5 billion in agricultural goods from the U.S. in calendar year (CY) 2024, a new record for the country, driven in part by significant increases in corn, distiller’s dried grains with solubles (DDGS) and ethanol sales according to a new report from the USDA. Exports to Colombia rose 21 percent compared to the previous year, the highest increase among the top 25 export markets for U.S. agriculture. Agricultural exports to Colombia have risen by an impressive 309 percent since 2012, when a trade deal was struck between the countries. Learn more about the Council's work in Colombia: https://lnkd.in/gDjpZwu7 #Grains25

The U.S. Grains Council has been working with Northern Crops Institute and Iowa State University, with support from members in Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota, since last year to conduct a study on the impact of different corn origins on feed milling, with the goal of highlighting potential competitive advantages of U.S. corn compared to other varieties. Learn more about the Council's work in corn: https://lnkd.in/gmCgrAYK #Grains25

With full-time presence in 28 locations, the U.S. Grains Council operates programs in more than 50 countries. Visit grains.org to learn more about each location. #Grains25 #AboutTheCouncil

The U.S. Grains Council escorted a delegation of more than 20 energy sector stakeholders and government officials to the 30th National Ethanol Conference, held in Nashville, TN, and USGC President and CEO Ryan LeGrand was featured in a discussion on global ethanol markets. The NEC is held by the Renewable Fuels Association, a USGC partner, and is an industry leader in offering biofuel business development, networking and policy updates to attendees. Learn more about the Council's work in ethanol: https://lnkd.in/gVhm43hx #Grains25 #Ethanol