Beyond seeing the transformation of the Panama Canal or hearing the latest developments in key export markets, the U.S. Grains Council’s February meeting offers attendees an exceptional opportunity to put their mark on Council programs.

This meeting will reflect the unique conjunction between external changes like the Canal expansion and internal changes like the Council’s new strategic plan.

“We’ve long been building demand, but we are realizing that the pipeline of grain trade is constricted by government policies all over the world,”

Ukraine exported just over 2 million metric tons of grain in December, of which about 1.6 million metric tons (63 million bushels) was corn, according to U.S. Grains Council sources. The leading corn importers were Egypt, 252,000 tons; Spain, 350,000 tons; and Iran, 160,000 tons. Egypt, Tunisia and Spain took most of Ukraine’s wheat shipments.

Ukraine’s winter crops are reported to be in poor condition due to the dry fall and winter, which could mean a smaller 2012 harvest despite an increase in planted acres. If that happens and Ukraine sees a return of moisture, it could mean even larger plantings of corn this spring, according to Cary Sifferath, USGC regional director.

Ethanol plants in the United States, which also produce the feed ingredient distiller’s dried grains with solubles (DDGS), continue to upgrade equipment to extract non-food grade corn oil during the ethanol production process.

While regular DDGS may contain 10-15 percent oil, the low-oil variety contains much less and has different characteristics and feeding values than regular DDGS.

The upcoming U.S. Grains Council 9th International Marketing Conference and 52nd Annual Membership Meeting
(Feb. 13-15) in Panama will offer Council members and attendees an unparalleled opportunity to share information with all 10 of the Grains Council’s international directors.

“As your ‘boots on the ground,’ they are in a unique position to share the latest developments in their regions,” said Tom Sleight, USGC vice president of operations and membership.

Long before the Canal, Panama was a strategic link for Spanish conquistadores. Later as part of the Spanish empire, Panama shipped as much as 60 percent of the gold that flowed into Spanish coffers. To explore this history and culture behind modern Panama, register for one, or all, of the optional tours that the U.S. Grains Council

President Obama requested approval from Congress Friday to consolidate six federal trade and commerce agencies.

This consolidation plan concerns the U.S. Grains Council, said Rebecca Bratter, vice president of international operations, because of the impact it will have on agricultural trade.

Click here to hear what she had to say.