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USGC remains focused on market expansion

The past chairman of the U.S. Grains Council says new demand is necessary to lift the current price environment for farmers.

Kansas farmer Brent Boydston tells Brownfield he’s excited about growing demand in Africa, parts of Asia, and India.

“When you look at the feed grain market in India and how critically underserved it is by the domestic supply, when you look at the increasing population of India and more poultry being produced, they’re going to need those feed grains,” he shares.

He says in general, export numbers are strong ahead of pending trade agreements.

“We’re still exporting a lot of corn out of this country right now,” he shares. “If you look at current numbers, I believe it’s going to come in as a top-five year for corn exports. We’re seeing positive movements on ethanol. We’re seeing positive movements on DDG’s as well.”

Brownfield interviewed Boydston during the USGC’s 65^th Annual Delegate Meeting in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

USDA Foreign Ag Service Administrator Daniel Whitley says negotiations remain ongoing with many countries, but he’s apprehensive about India.

“They produce so many different commodities that they end up having to protect all of them, and so any access you ever see with India is always so few and far between,” he says. “I’m always a little dubious that India is going to live up.”

President Trump is threatening to increase tariffs up to 25 percent if the country is unable to complete an agreement by this Friday.

The Grains Council estimates a deal with India could open a $6.2 billion market opportunity for U.S. farmers.