Photo credit: U.S. Grains & BioProducts Council.
The U.S. Grains & BioProducts Council last week hosted a delegation of Japanese corn millers and agricultural journalists in Nebraska and Iowa as part of an effort to showcase U.S. grain sustainability practices and strengthen trade relationships with a key export market.
The tour introduced participants to sustainable farming methods, grain handling systems and the council’s Corn Sustainability Assurance Protocol, or CSAP, which is designed to verify the sustainability of U.S. corn production and improve supply chain transparency.
Tommy Hamamoto, USGBC director in Japan, said the program gave the delegation a closer look at the reliability and traceability of U.S. agricultural supply chains.
“Highlighting the reliability and traceability of U.S. agricultural supply chains, aided by USGBC platforms like the CSAP and its accompanying Sorghum Assurance Protocol, is a chance to educate participants about the quality of U.S. agricultural products and the responsible land stewardship of U.S. growers,” Hamamoto said.
Hamamoto, USGBC Director of Global Sustainability Carlos F. Suárez and USGBC Japan Program and Administrative Manager Michiyo Hoshizawa led the delegation through a series of site visits beginning in Nebraska.
The group toured facilities operated by Cargill and POET, both USGBC members, to observe how feed grains move through the supply chain from farm production to end use. Additional stops included the Daugherty Water for Food Innovation Campus and Valley Irrigation, where participants learned about water management and irrigation technologies aimed at improving resource efficiency.
In Iowa, the delegation visited Corteva Agriscience in Johnston to examine biotechnology advancements that have helped reduce production inputs and environmental impacts. The group also met with Iowa Corn representatives for an overview of regional corn production and research efforts supporting yield, quality and market competitiveness.
Farm visits in both states provided an opportunity for Japanese buyers to see production practices firsthand, including cover cropping, no-till systems, nutrient management, manure-based fertilization and precision irrigation.
Hamamoto said the tour underscored how sustainability has become central to U.S. grain production and export competitiveness.
“Japan is a mature market that has been a strong trading partner for the U.S. agricultural sector for decades, and continuing to adapt to customer needs will ensure it remains a dependable export market well into the future,” he said.
He added that sustainable grain production has evolved into a business strategy for U.S. farmers, helping improve efficiency and long-term resilience while meeting the demands of international customers.
Source: U.S. Grains & BioProducts Council, "Japanese Corn Millers, Journalists Learn About U.S. Sustainable Farming Practices"