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USGC vice chair likes Cuba’s potential

 Cuba could be a growing market for U.S. corn, but U.S. government policies are standing in the way.

That’s the assessment of Alan Tiemann, vice chairman of the U.S. Grains Council (USGC).  Tiemann, a corn and soybean grower from Seward, Nebraska, participated in the Grains Council’s recent trade mission to Cuba.

Tiemann says he’s “cautiously optimistic” about the Cuban situation.

“I think some things have to happen politically in Washington, D.C. for this to move forward,” Tiemann says. “But hopefully they’ll see the light that after 56 years the embargo hasn’t worked. The fastest way to make change is for us to make change.”

Tiemann says Cuba has potential to grow its livestock industry, especially poultry and dairy.  And he says the Grains Council is ready to help.

“We’ve got nutritionists on staff, to help with feeding rations, who understand working in tropical climates,” he says. “If it’s distillers grain, it works. If it’s corn, sorghum barley—whatever works for them, we’ll make it happen.”

If Cuba purchased all of its imported corn from the U.S., Tiemann says, it would be the 12th largest overseas market for the product.

AUDIO: Alan Tiemann