Nebraska Corn Board Hosts Southeast Asia Trade Team

On June 30, the Nebraska Corn Board along with the U.S. Grains Council hosted a trade team from the countries of Indonesia, Malaysia, and Vietnam.

During the trade team’s visit to Nebraska, they toured the E Energy Adams ethanol plant located outside of Adams. The trade team also visited a dryland grain farm that is owned and operated by Dave Nielsen, who serves as a board member for the Nebraska Corn Board.

While at the E Energy Adams ethanol plant, the trade team members were able to see how we process corn into an alternative fuel. They learned about the methods we use and also learned about two products that come from ethanol production, ethanol and distillers grains (DG). After touring the plant, the trade team members were able to tour the scale house and see how the corn was tested before it could be unloaded at the plant. Many of the of the trade team members were fascinated by the technology that the grain testers used when checking a load of corn to see if it was high enough quality to be used for ethanol production.

Next, the trade team had the opportunity to visit with one of E Energy Adams commodity managers, who spoke about the financials of an ethanol plant. He also answered any questions that the trade team members had about the ethanol market or industry.

After visiting the E Energy Adams plant, the trade team headed to Dave Nielsen’s farm. Dave talked about his multi-generational farm operation and discussed some of the challenges that U.S. farmers are facing. Some of those challenges include more regulations and increasing land values. He also mentioned some of the strengths that U.S. farmers have, such as increasing production with less. Dave reassured the trade team representatives that U.S. farmers want to provide other countries with the highest quality product.

To finish the evening off, trade team members were able to attend a dinner at Misty’s in Lincoln and enjoy some of Nebraska’s Corn Fed beef! The trade team met with Greg Ibach, who is the Nebraska Department of Agriculture’s Director; Steve Nelson, who is the Vice President of the Nebraska Farm Bureau; and Burdette Piening, with the Nebraska Sorghum Board.

Overall it was a great visit and many of the trade team representatives said that they were more interested in U.S. grains after seeing grain production first hand.

You can see more pictures of the Southeast Asia Trade Team at flickr!