U.S. Grains Council

The U.S. Grains Council, abbreviated USGC, is a private non-profit organization founded in 1960 and headquartered in Washington, dedicated to developing export markets for American corn, sorghum, barley, and related co-products including ethanol and distillers dried grains. The council operates with funding from producer checkoff programs, member dues, and matching funds from the United States Department of Agriculture's Foreign Agricultural Service Market Access Program. International market development activities span over fifty countries through twelve overseas offices staffed by country directors who build relationships with foreign feed mill operators, livestock producers, ethanol blenders, and government regulatory officials. The council organizes trade missions bringing international grain buyers to American export terminals and interior river elevators, conducts technical seminars on feed formulation and grain quality testing, and publishes market intelligence reports on global grain supply and demand trends. For American grain farmers and exporters seeking to expand international demand and for foreign feed and food manufacturers sourcing American coarse grains, the council serves as the primary bridge connecting American grain supply with global customer needs.