Nebraskan, Alan Tiemann Elected Chairman of U.S. Grains Council

Nebraska Corn Board member Alan Tiemann, a farmer from Seward, Nebraska, was elected chairman of the U.S. Grains Council (USGC) at the organization’s 55^th annual board of delegates meeting in Montreal, Canada. Tiemann served as USGC vice-chairman over the previous year.

“I have enjoyed addressing issues and helping open markets for the Grains Council over the past few years and look forward to continuing those efforts on behalf of our industry,” said Tiemann.

In his first speech to USGC delegates as chairman, Tiemann said, “Markets don’t just happen, we have to work to make them happen. The U.S. Grains Council has been successfully doing that for more than 55 years and has developed a level of excellence in its work that I want to focus on this year.”

“Although most corn grown in Nebraska is used right here in our state for livestock and ethanol, we still have a lot at stake when it comes to exports,” said Kelly Brunkhorst, executive director of the Nebraska Corn Board. “As the old saying goes, the last bushel of corn sets the price. The work that the USGC completes around the world is very valuable to Nebraska’s corn and ethanol producers.”

The Nebraska Corn Board believes strongly in USGC’s mission and has supported the organization with corn checkoff dollars since 1979. USGC strives to develop export markets around the world and has offices in more than 50 countries. With 95% of the world’s population outside of the U. S. and that population projected to grow to 9 billion by 2050, USGC is working hard to teach producers around the world how to use feed grains effectively and manage their operations efficiently.

“That is why our theme this year is Excellence in Exports. I have found the Council displays excellence in its membership, its global staff team, the relationships it fosters, the collaboration it has with its partners and its dedication to export markets. All these areas have been key in making the Council the successful organization it is today,” added Tiemann.

Tiemann farms near Seward and has spent more than 35 years in production agriculture. He serves as the at-large director and past chairman for the Nebraska Corn Board. Tiemann has been a delegate from the Nebraska Corn Board to the USGC since 2005. Prior to that, Tiemann served as a delegate to USGC from the Nebraska Grain Sorghum Board for a number of years.