CALGARY, CA — The U.S. Grains Council’s (USGC’s) 63rd Annual Board of Delegates Meeting in Calgary, Canada, continued today with discussions around shipping and grain reports, as well as closing remarks from Council President and CEO Ryan LeGrand.
The first general session of the day began with USGC Vice President Brent Boydston acknowledging the close trading relationship between the U.S. and Canada.
“As a member of the United States – Mexico – Canada agreement, Canada is our third-ranked partner for grains in all forms for the 2021-2022 marketing year,” said Boydston.
“It’s our top trading partner for ethanol, our second-highest market for barley and our fourth-highest market for both corn and distiller’s dried grains with solubles, so we are very pleased to be here and learn more about the opportunities Canada offers.”
Attendees got an outlook on Canadian feed grains by USGC Canadian Consultant Tom Dowler, followed by updates on the current state of ocean freight by Jay O’Neil of HJ O’Neil Commodity Consulting.
Elizabeth Hucker, assistant vice president of sales and marketing at Canadian Pacific Kansas City, wrapped up the morning’s programming with information on the logistical and environmental benefits of the company’s rail network that runs from Canada to Mexico.
The afternoon’s general session began with analysis of upcoming soy crush capacities from Peter Meyer, crops and advanced feedstocks economist at S&P Global Insights.
Council Secretary-Treasurer Verity Ulibarri, who lead the session, introduced a panel covering the Council’s global strategy for ethanol market growth featuring LeGrand, Council Vice President Cary Sifferath and Council Director of Global Ethanol Export Development Mackenzie Boubin.
LeGrand took to the podium afterwards to share the state of the Council’s operations in his closing address.
“Despite facing a number of challenges in markets like Mexico and Colombia, there is a lot to be excited about for U.S. grains in all forms,” LeGrand said. “You can rest assured our staff is working day in and day out to make this another profitable year for U.S. agriculture exports.”
The meeting concludes tomorrow with attendees participating in the Board of Delegates meeting where they will elect USGC officers and Advisory Team (A-Team) and sector leaders will offer their recommendations and reports regarding the future direction of the Council.
More from the meeting is available on social media using the hashtag #Grains23 or through the website www.grains.org/event/calgary/.
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About The U.S. Grains Council
The U.S. Grains Council develops export markets for U.S. barley, corn, sorghum and related products including distiller’s dried grains with solubles (DDGS) and ethanol. With full-time presence in 28 locations, the Council operates programs in more than 50 countries and the European Union. The Council believes exports are vital to global economic development and to U.S. agriculture’s profitability. Detailed information about the Council and its programs is online at www.grains.org.