The U.S. Grains Council escorted the senior purchasing manager of the world’s largest dairy operation on a week-long travel throughout the United States, introducing him to Council members and exporters of U.S. corn. Daniel Button of Almarai, based in Saudi Arabia, came to the United States to meet suppliers and purchase U.S. corn. Button was accompanied by Alvaro Cordero, USGC manager of international operations.

“As U.S. ethanol plants become more advanced with improvements in drying methods, processes and manufacturing, the quality consistency of DDGS and new co-products has also improved. This is essential as the demand increases for distiller’s grains and other ethanol co-products,” said Dr. Randy Shaver, professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, who will speak at the upcoming Export Exchange 2010.

Friends and associates reflect on the career of Dr. David Porter Price, who passed away on May 10, 2010, in his home-town of Las Cruces, N.M. Dr. Price was 64. A ruminant nutritionist, Price spent more than 20 years as a consultant for the U.S. Grains Council in Latin America, the Middle East and elsewhere. While he is best known for his work in Mexico, revamping the cattle feedlot industry and training feeders to use U.S. feed ingredients, Price’s own relationship to the Council was one he cherished.

The U.S. Grains Council and the United Sorghum Checkoff Program (USCP) recently hosted a group of Mexican grain buyers in Texas. USCP Marketing Director Florentino Lopez says missions like this are important because Mexico is the number one importer of U.S. sorghum. He says the buyers want to learn more about U.S. grain sorghum and the Council and Sorghum Checkoff are happy to oblige - giving them an opportunity to see U.S. sorghum and talk with those that produce it. Click here to listen to the interview.

The U.S. Grains Council received word on Wednesday that Israel purchased 40,000 metric tons (1.6 million bushels) of U.S. sorghum, with intentions to purchase 60-80,000 tons (2.4-3.1 million bushels) in the near future. This purchase is a direct result of the recent agricultural export ban in Russia and the short supply of grain in Ukraine, where Israel generally fulfills its import needs.

Registration is now available for the Export Exchange 2010, an international trade conference focused around the export of U.S. distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) and coarse grains. The event—co-sponsored by the U.S. Grains Council and the Renewable Fuels Association—will be held Oct. 6-8, 2010, at the Hyatt Regency McCormick Place Hotel in Chicago, Ill.