USGC Booth To Share Why Trade Matters at 2017 Commodity Classic

Did you know that he United States exported enough ethanol in 2016 to fill 1,584 Olympic-sized swimming pools, more than 1 billion gallons? 

About 56 million metric tons (more than 2.2 billion bushels) of corn was exported, which would fill the Dallas Cowboys football stadium 26 times. 

The equivalent weight of nearly 19 Empire State buildings in sorghum, more than 6.8 million metric tons (nearly 268 million bushels), went overseas. 

And more than 88,000 metric tons (3.46 million bushels) of barley, more than the weight of the Washington Monument, were purchased by customers globally. 

The U.S. Grains Council (USGC) will join the 2017 Commodity Classic event next week at booth 106 to share these fun – and other, more weighty – facts and insights on the importance of trade to the corn, barley, sorghum, ethanol and co-products industries. 

This year’s booth will focus on the economic value of exports to American agriculture and the significant return on investment from the public-private partnership between the Council and USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service through the Market Access Program (MAP) and Foreign Market Development (FMD) program. 

Attendees will also leave the Council’s booth with information and materials about how checkoff and agribusiness contributions are being put to work around the globe to generate demand for grain. 

The Council works to build and create new and long-term trade relationships that are essential to bridging the gap between U.S. agriculture and international customers. Its in-market presence in more than 50 countries opens and strengthens U.S. farmers’ access to trade around the world. 

USGC staff and elected leadership will be available to talk to farmers in the booth and be available for media interviews. 

Members of the media interested in scheduling interview times should contact USGC Director of Communications Melissa Kessler at mkessler@grains.org.