Ohio remains in the spotlight as a global agricultural leader, recently hosting a delegation of milling industry leaders from Chile, Ecuador, Colombia and Brazil.
Their visit comes on the heels of a high-profile delegation from Vietnam that visited Ohio on June 4 as part of a multistate memorandum of understanding signing ceremony committing to purchase $2 billion in U.S. agricultural products, including corn, soybeans, meat and timber.
“Ohio has been in the spotlight for global trade for a very good reason,” said Wendy Osborn, director of market development for the Ohio Corn & Wheat Growers Association. “Our farming practices are recognized worldwide for being both innovative and sustainable, and the products grown here are among the best in the world.”
The South American delegation’s stop in Ohio was part of a three-state mission that also included Kansas and Washington. While in Ohio, the team toured The Andersons’ Northwest Ohio milling facility in Maumee, where they observed firsthand the advanced operations used by U.S. millers to serve global markets.
Their visit concluded Wednesday with a farm tour of R&R Niese Farms in Shelby. During their time at the farm, the delegation met with leaders from the Ohio Department of Agriculture, Ohio Corn & Wheat and local farmers. They had the opportunity to see wheat growing in nearby fields, explore harvest equipment and engage in discussions aimed at strengthening trade relationships and boosting demand for Ohio’s high-quality soft red winter wheat.
“Any time we have an opportunity to showcase the superior quality of Ohio-grown wheat, that’s a win for farmers,” said Owen Niese, chair of the Ohio Small Grains Checkoff. “Seeing is believing, and this delegation was able to experience what makes Ohio-grown wheat the best in the world.”
An ethanol trade delegation from China will visit Ohio in October as part of a U.S. Grains Council mission to explore the state’s leadership in biofuel production. The visit will highlight the state’s cutting-edge ethanol facilities, farming partnerships and its role in meeting the growing demand for ethanol fuel.