U.S. producers, agricultural associations, corporations, universities, government agencies and agricultural enthusiasts joined together on March 15 to recognize the contributions of agriculture on National Ag Day.

With the most modern, innovative and productive agricultural system in the world, the United States enjoys a longstanding and significant comparative advantage in agricultural trade.

Trade helps drive on-farm income, with one in three U.S. farm acres planted for export. The market for U.S. ag products is truly global, with more than 95 percent of the total population living outside our borders. And, though it may not feel like it to farmers facing current market conditions, demand is rising; U.S. coarse grains exports as a percent of production have increased more than 70 percent since 1960.

Other important facts about exports of coarse grains and their co-products, according to the U.S. Grains Council (USGC), include:

• The United States was the world’s largest producer of corn in the 2014/2015 marketing year and exported 47.4 million metric tons (1.9 million bushels) of that crop overseas to eager buyers and end-users.
• U.S. producers sold almost third-quarters of global sorghum exports during the 2014/2015 marketing year.
• The United States is a consistent top 10 barley producer and exporter.
• Last marketing year, the U.S. ethanol industry sold 3.2 billion liters (870 million gallons) of ethanol abroad, the second largest quantity of the renewable fuel ever exported.

To learn more about Council programs promoting U.S. corn, sorghum, barley, ethanol and their co-products, follow the Council on social media. The Council has a presence on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Flickr, LinkedIn and Instagram.