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Thailand delegation tours Wisconsin corn, ethanol sites

A delegation from Thailand and the Philippines is in Wisconsin on Thursday to learn more about the state’s corn and ethanol production.

Nicole Wagner with the Wisconsin Corn Promotion Board tells Brownfield nearly twenty buyers and government officials will start by observing the corn harvest. “We’re going to go to a farm, then we’re heading off to Didion Ethanol so that they can tour the ethanol plant, and while we’re there, we’re actually going to sit down and have a discussion on ethanol policies with the Wisconsin Biofuels Association, Wisconsin Agri-Business Association, and Wisconsin Farm Bureau.”

Wagner says sustainability at every step from the farm to transporting products are important to the visiting officials as they consider increased ethanol imports. “These groups all use E10 and they’re looking to increase their ethanol blend and increase the ethanol they’re importing from our country, so that will be a good discussion before we head off to Kwik Trip to see one of their blending facilities in Madison.”

Wagner says when they host visiting delegations, most are amazed by the size of the farm equipment used in the U.S. “We did a similar trip last year with some people from the Middle East, and it’s just amazing how they know it’s going to be huge, but they just don’t comprehend it until they’re here.”

The delegation has been working with the U.S. Grains Council all week in Washington, D.C., and is touring farms and facilities before heading home.