The U.S. Grains and BioProducts Council (USGBC), alongside state and national checkoff organizations, recently conducted strategic visits to Canada and Mexico to update member leaders on international investments and reinforce the vision of U.S. corn and sorghum growers.
USGBC Vice President Cary Sifferath and Regional Ethanol Manager Stephanie Larson joined representatives from multiple state corn councils and the United Sorghum Checkoff Program. The delegation met with U.S. Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service staff, feed milling associations, rail transportation stakeholders, and policymakers.
In Mexico City, discussions focused on trade logistics, feed applications, and the potential adoption of gasoline blended with 10 percent ethanol (E10). Meetings included a session with Mexico’s Secretary of Agriculture, Dr. Julio Berdegue.
In Ottawa, the group engaged with Environment and Climate Change Canada, Natural Resources Canada, and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada to discuss ethanol trade and broader North American market dynamics under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA).
“This mission strengthened bonds with global customers and reinforced the U.S. industry’s commitment to reliable grain and ethanol supply,” Sifferath said. The Council gathered valuable market intelligence to guide future priorities and defend U.S. agriculture’s largest trading partners.
