Japan looks to the United States as a supplier of corn and dried distillers grains.

Paul Gieselman, an Iowa Corn Promotion Board member from Louisa County, spent Jan. 14-17 in Japan talking about the corn harvest’s quality in the hopes of continuing that positive trade relationship between the two countries.

“The U.S. Grains Council puts together a report every year and a farmer from Missouri and myself went to Tokyo to present the report’s findings of the corn harvest quality and to talk about farming from our perspective,” Gieselman said.

The trip also helps the trade delegation reassure its international customers that the U.S. is a “steady, reliable, consistent supplier” like it’s been for many years. As competitors with other countries, the delegation also discussed the differences between the grains coming from Brazil and Argentina compared to U.S. grain.

“There are subtle differences between the two,” he said. “The main difference is we can provide quality, consistent, economically viable products to potential international customers.”

Recently, Japan has approved an ethanol mandate that says it must have E10 in place by 2030 and E20 by 2040.

“The potential for U.S. corn to meet that demand is immense,” Gieselman said. “They have goals for carbon neutrality by 2040.”

Gieselman said the trip included a visit to a wet mill and a full day of discussions with potential end users of ethanol blends.

“As you get on the international stage, it becomes even more important to establish these relationships and show them we’re active and interested. These relationships are incredibly important to continuing to do business with our customers,” he said. “This trip focused on Japan and Mexico since they’re large importers of corn in all forms — DDGs, ethanol, raw.”

Gieselman also has gone on international trade trips to China, Guatemala and Canada, as well as several domestic trips.

“About every 10 years, I go on a mission trip,” Gieselman said. “They’re very intense, with all hours consumed with work. No down time.”

As a fifth generation family farmer who has farmed for more than 25 years, it’s even more important to Gieselman personally to help create export outlets. He and his wife have three boys who are interested in helping on the family farm in the future.