Sitting in an office in Washington, D.C., or in a combine in Nebraska, it can be difficult to grasp the impact of an office and a staff halfway around the world that has been on the job for U.S. coarse grains and co-products producers for 40 years. The U.S. Grains Council, however, recently had the chance to recognize just such contribution as the Council’s Taiwan office reaching this milestone.

On July 1, 1973, the Council inaugurated a partnership with Taiwan through the establishment of an office in Taipei, Taiwan. Forty years later, Taiwan has grown into a consistent top five market for U.S. coarse grains, and the Council enjoys widespread support from our buyers and partners, and high respect throughout Taiwan.

“The Council is proud of this partnership, and is grateful for the exemplary work of the Taiwan office in sustaining such a remarkable level of cooperation for 40 years,” said Tom Sleight, USGC president and CEO. “The work of the Taiwan office has truly exemplified the Council’s mission of Developing Markets, Enabling Trade, Improving Lives.”

“An example of USGC Taiwan’s success dates back to when the office first opened and Taiwan only produced 18,820 metric tons of dairy cattle milk annually. Today that production has grown to more than 351,000 tons. Achievements like this happen through the efforts of good people working consistently to identify opportunities, remove obstacles and serve others,” said Clover Chang, current USGC/Taiwan director.

According to C.M. Lynn, former USGC director in Taiwan for 35 years, “The Council’s introduction of the three-way cross in swine genetics revolutionized pork production in Taiwan. Most Americans may not appreciate the tremendous impact this one accomplishment had in improving the lives of the Taiwanese people and creating an engine of tremendous demand for U.S. feed grain.”

During a ceremony marking the Council’s anniversary, gratitude for the Council’s contributions to Taiwanese agriculture were cited by Minister Bao-Ji Chen, and appreciation for expanding the trade and friendship between Taiwan and the United States were recognized by Mr. Brent Christensen, acting director of the American Institute in Taiwan.

Over the years, the Council has worked in Taiwan in virtually every area of demand, trade, policy and marketing of U.S. agricultural products. Taiwan has been receptive to Council initiatives in all areas of livestock industry development; value-added products such as distiller’s dried grains with solubles (DDGS), heart-healthy barley, sorghum for beer production, and corn-based bioplastics; policy regarding biotechnology and food safety; and more. USGC programs have helped modernized Taiwan’s agricultural sector and heightened the standards of living which has benefitted millions of people.

Congratulations USGC Taiwan for 40 years of success!