LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY –  As the public conversation about the merits of trade heats up, U.S. Grains Council (USGC) members are gathering in Louisville, Kentucky, for the export market development organization’s summer business meetings.

USGC delegates and guests at the 56th Annual Board of Delegates Meeting will hear from dynamic speakers on the impact of trade to U.S. agriculture and the grains sectors specifically as well as updates on USGC programs operating in more than 50 countries.

Presentations in the general sessions and topical breakouts Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday will also provide information on the economic impact of USDA export market development programs and specific hot topics including ethanol export promotion programs, feed grain market development and trade with the European Union.

“Exports of corn, sorghum and barley were worth nearly $12 billion to the U.S. economy last marketing year, with exports of distiller’s dried grains with solubles (DDGS) and ethanol worth another $4.6 billion,� said USGC Chairman Alan Tiemann, a farmer from Nebraska. “That is real economic impact on U.S. farmers, the agribusinesses who support their operations and our national livelihood.

“Those of us gathering in Louisville this week know how critical the grain trade is to our operations and are committed to growing it this year and long into the future.�

Also at the meeting, USGC Advisory Teams (A-Teams), which provide guidance and set priorities for the Council’s operations, will meet to hear mid-year reports on strategies to promote and expand exports in key markets.

Additional information about the meeting agenda, location and more is available here. Those not attending in person can follow along in the digital conversation on Facebook or Twitter #grains16.

Members of the media interested in information from Louisville or scheduling interviews should contact Melissa Kessler, USGC director of communications, at mkessler@grains.org.