ANCHORAGE, ALASKA, July 22, 2008 – U.S. Grains Council members heard at the 48th Annual Board of Delegates’ Meeting in Anchorage, Alaska the approximate financial value of the Council to U.S. farmers. Rick Fruth, USGC treasurer said in realizing that such a review conducted internally could present an upward bias, the Council contracted Informa Economics LLC to construct an estimation procedure for the study in order to eliminate the potential bias and reduce the margin of error on the review. This is the second Council performance review conducted by Informa Economics.

“Our goal in conducting this review was to be as accurate as possible and alleviate any concerns that a bias exist,” said Fruth. “We wanted to give our producer members a clear picture as to how their state checkoff dollars apportioned to the Council have a significant return. Producers are fortunate that their checkoffs are investing in the Council and increasing demand for U.S. feed grains, which means a greater bottom-line annually.”

The 2008 Informa Economics study concluded that the impact of the Council’s market development efforts on the U.S. feed grains industry is worth $658 million to American farmers up from $591.7 million in 2007. The analysis showed that the total return on investment in market development is $32.87 annually for each dollar invested. U.S. Grains Council members provide only a minority of the investment; however, 100 percent of the returns accrue to producers.

“It is clear that the organization creates an immense value for U.S. agriculture,” said Fruth.