Tiemann Ends Term as Chairman of U.S. Grains Council

Nebraska Corn Board member Alan Tiemann, a farmer from Seward, Nebraska, led his final meeting as chairman of the U.S. Grains Council (USGC) at the organization’s 56th annual board of delegates meeting in Louisville, Kentucky. Tiemann served as chairman of USGC for one year.

“As I look back over this past year and all the years since 1997 that I have been part of the Council, there has been constant change,” said Tiemann. “It is with the upmost confidence that I leave this post knowing that the USGC staff and its membership are ready to handle all of the changes and challenges that lie ahead as they build on this past year’s theme of Excellence in Exports.”

During Tiemann’s tenure as chairman of the USGC, he introduced the theme of Excellence in Exports. This theme focused on the council’s display of excellence in its membership, its global staff team, the relationships it fosters, the collaboration it has with its partners and its continued dedication to export markets.

In his final speech to the USGC delegates, Tiemann noted, “Markets don’t just happen, we have to work to make them happen. In my time serving as chairman, I am honored to have witnessed firsthand the significant contributions our staff and leadership, in collaboration with partners around the world, have made to the industries we represent.”

Tiemann also noted that USGC continues to focus on building export markets for U.S. ethanol and communicating to global customers about the work the U.S. grains industry does to reliably produce high-quality crops. They are working with organizations such as Growth Energy, Renewable Fuels Association (RFA), the National Corn Growers Association and state corn associations to build a robust ethanol promotion program around the world. Additionally, the council will continue to support the work of grower associations at the state and national levels as they advocate for trade agreements.

“The corn industry has a lot at stake when it comes to exports and we appreciate all the work the Council does on our behalf,” said Kelly Brunkhorst, executive director of the Nebraska Corn Board. “It has been rewarding to see a Nebraska corn farmer give so much of his time to serve and expand the opportunities for our industry.”

The Nebraska Corn Board strongly believes in USGC’s mission and has supported the organization with corn checkoff dollars for many years. 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 makes it a priority to teach producers around the world how to use feed grains effectively and manage their operations efficiently.

“Despite some of the challenges facing the farm economy today, the Council’s programs have a clear impact around the world,” added Tiemann. “This last year has truly served as a year of excellence in exports that will make a difference to agriculture’s success now and long into the future.”

Tiemann farms near Seward, Nebraska, and has spent more than 35 years in production agriculture. He is currently the at-large director and past chairman for the Nebraska Corn Board and has been representing the board as a USGC delegate since 2005. Prior to that, Tiemann served as a USGC delegate representing the Nebraska Grain Sorghum Board for a number of years. Over the next year, Tiemann will serve as the past-chairman for the USGC.