U.S. on track for record corn production, robust exports

The U.S. Grains Council said last week that U.S. is on track to produce a record amount of corn this year based on the latest data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Record exports are also expected for feed grains in all forms, which includes corn, sorghum and barley as well as products that rely on these grains like beef, pork, poultry and ethanol.

U.S. corn exports in September increased 89 percent, to 6.3 million metric tons, from year ago levels, with shipments to Japan, South Korea, Peru and Taiwan more than doubling.

"Ag exports count for our farmer and agribusiness members and are counted on by customers who rely on the United States for a reliable supply of high-quality commodities and food products,” National Association of Farm Broadcasting CEO Tom Sleight said at the association’s convention last week.

"Sales overseas are a bright spot in an otherwise tough ag economy and are something we can all work toward together," Sleight said.

Grains Council Chairman Chip Councell and Sleight told reporters that strong trade policies and robust overseas market development are critical to helping farmers seize these opportunities for growth and greater profitability.

The Grains Council also voiced support for the pending Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) as an opportunity to reduce tariffs, address vexing nontariff challenges to U.S. market share and build a platform for future multilateral trade pacts.