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U.S. farmers & Purdue University helping solve corn storage concerns in Mexico

A former chairman of the Illinois Corn Marketing Board says U.S. farmers are teaching their customers in Mexico how to better handle and utilize American-grown corn.

Jon Rosenstiel, who farms in northern Illinois, says Mexico continues to be the largest export market for U.S. corn. 

“They experience some quite different environments than what we have here in the Corn Belt with humidities and temperatures and things like that.”  He says, “So, we’re trying to make sure that the grain that gets in their hands gets put to good use and stays in good shape.”

He tells Brownfield checkoff funded research at Purdue University, in partnership with the U.S. Grains Council, is trying to address those challenges and continue to improve that trading relationship.

“That is looking at what some of our importers need to implement in order to keep that product in good shape.”  He says, “Doing inspections, a cleaning regimen of bins instead of leaving grain sit in bins, you know, make sure they’re swept out.”

Rosenstiel says exports play a vital role in corn farmers’ profitability, and providing this type of customer service can help increase overall corn demand.

AUDIO: Jon Rosenstiel – Illinois farmer