North Dakota’s corn industry was well represented on the national stage this summer as grower leaders traveled to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, for the 66th Annual Board of Delegates Meeting of the U.S. Grains & BioProducts Council (USGBC). Representing North Dakota were North Dakota Corn Utilization Council Chairman Carson Klosterman, North Dakota Corn Growers Association Vice Chairman Adam Ladwig, and North Dakota Corn Growers Association District Representative Ben Bakko.
The annual meeting brings together corn, barley, sorghum, and agribusiness leaders from across the country to discuss emerging opportunities, review global market conditions, and help set the organization’s priorities for the coming year. As voting delegates, North Dakota’s representatives play an important role in ensuring the voices of the state’s corn farmers are included in decisions that shape national export promotion efforts and international market development.
For North Dakota growers, participation extends far beyond attending meetings. The U.S. Grains & BioProducts Council works around the world to develop new markets and strengthen existing demand for U.S. corn, ethanol, distillers grains, and other corn products. Through offices and partnerships across more than 70 countries, the organization helps create long-term opportunities that ultimately add value back to American farms.
“As farmers, we know that what happens beyond our own fields can have a tremendous impact on our operations,” said Klosterman. “Serving as a voting delegate gives North Dakota producers a seat at the table where important conversations are happening about exports, trade, and the future of our industry.”
Throughout the meeting, delegates participated in discussions covering global trade, market access, ethanol, sustainability, transportation, and emerging opportunities for U.S. agriculture. Members also reviewed reports from the Council’s advisory teams and helped establish organizational priorities that will guide international market development efforts in the year ahead.
For a state that exports a significant portion of its corn production through domestic and international markets, maintaining a strong voice in these discussions is essential. As global demand continues to evolve, organizations like the U.S. Grains & BioProducts Council help ensure U.S. corn remains competitive while opening new opportunities for value-added products, including ethanol and distillers grains.
Participation by North Dakota grower leaders also strengthens relationships with farmers, commodity organizations, and industry partners from across the country. Sharing ideas and learning from other states helps bring new perspectives home while ensuring North Dakota’s unique opportunities and challenges are understood at the national level.
The North Dakota Corn Utilization Council and North Dakota Corn Growers Association remain committed to representing producers wherever important decisions are being made. Whether advocating for stronger export markets, expanding demand for corn-based products, or building relationships with international customers, grower leadership plays a vital role in protecting and growing opportunities for North Dakota agriculture.
By serving as voting delegates to the U.S. Grains & BioProducts Council, Klosterman, Ladwig, and Bakko helped ensure that North Dakota producers had a direct voice in shaping the future of international market development and in advancing opportunities for corn farmers across the state.
Corn Talk Magazine is here! Check out the full article and Summer 2026 issue online: https://ndcorngrowers.org/summer-2026-corntalk/
