Three days of meetings and discussions with representatives of the Japanese government, and food and feed industries, has convinced National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) President Ken McCauley that the trade relationship between the two countries remains strong.

“They are committed to U.S. corn,” said McCauley. “They like the quality of our product, and they like trading with us. Our message was very well received, and they appreciated hearing directly from us, as representatives of American corn growers.”

That message included assurances that corn growers would continue to produce enough corn to maintain the export market, while answering President George Bush’s call for more ethanol and other biofuels.

“They asked a lot of questions about renewable fuels and their effect on U.S. agriculture,” said McCauley. “We told them renewable fuels are strengthening agriculture and that corn growers are increasing production to meet demand.”

McCauley and NCGA CEO Rick Tolman were invited to Japan by the U.S. Grains Council and traveled with USGC President Ken Hobbie and Chairman Vic Miller. “We appreciate the work USGC did to set up these meetings and their support in building an international market for corn,” noted McCauley.

“The Japanese had studied NCGA policies and positions,” McCauley added. “It made me very proud that our organization is watched internationally.”