IL Corn's Strategic Investment in U.S. Grains Council Boosts Export Opportunities

September 5, 2024

The U.S. Grains Council (USGC) is actively expanding exports of U.S. corn, barley, sorghum, and their by-products, including grain-based ethanol and dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS), across over 75 countries worldwide. Their work in addressing market access and policy issues is crucial in growing and maintaining these export opportunities. IL Corn is proud to invest in the Council through checkoff funds, strategically positioning Illinois farmers to achieve significant wins by tapping into these expanding markets.

A substantial portion of USGC's budget focuses on promoting grain-based ethanol exports, with expectations of reaching a record 1.7 billion gallons this marketing year. Canada is poised to become the first billion-gallon market for U.S. ethanol, with other key markets including Japan, the EU, the UK, and India.

“This partnership directly benefits Illinois, as the state’s agricultural economy thrives on trade,” said Jeff Scates, IL Corn Marketing Board Chair and Illinois farmer from Shawneetown. “By investing in the U.S. Grains Council, Illinois farmers not only secure and expand their market opportunities but also contribute to the broader growth of U.S. agricultural exports, particularly in emerging sectors like aquaculture and pet food industries.”

The sun is setting behind the capitol building in washington d.c.
By Lyndi Allen July 3, 2025
Illinois corn farmers will be impacted by many provisions in the Budget Reconciliation Bill that passed in both chambers this week.
By Tara Desmond July 3, 2025
Mid-Year Highlights: IL Corn Top 10 Read Stories
A map of the world with arrows pointing to trade countries
By Lyndi Allen July 3, 2025
Trade plays a critical role in driving demand for U.S. corn—not only as grain or feed, but also as fuel.
Top Videos of 2025
By Tara Desmond July 2, 2025
Harvesting the Best: A Look at IL Corn’s Top 10 Videos of 2025
By Lindsay Croke June 30, 2025
When we think of Independence Day traditions, sweet corn on the cob is as iconic as fireworks and often even more central to the celebration. According to Instacart, purchases of sweet corn surge by 380% over the annual average heading into July 4th, outranking other grilling staples like baby back ribs and burgers. But corn's role in your Fourth of July celebration goes far beyond your plate. In Illinois alone, 8,300 acres of sweet corn are harvested annually, averaging 155 cwt per acre. That’s more than 128 million pounds of locally grown sweetness fueling summer cookouts across the state. And while sweet corn makes a big impression on the grill, most of Illinois’ corn crop isn’t sweet corn - it’s field corn. Less than 1% of the state’s crop is sweet corn, while the rest is used in products that are often invisible to consumers but vital to everyday life: fuel, packaging, fireworks, and even spirits.
The sun is setting behind the capitol building in washington d.c.
By Lyndi Allen June 27, 2025
From Springfield to D.C., lawmakers are listening, and Illinois corn farmers are leading the conversations.
Show More