Midwest farmers finally find somebody who appreciates them
DES MOINES, Iowa (Farm.FM) — Taiwanese buyers are examining American corn for ethanol production, delivering the biggest international compliment the Midwest has received since somebody overseas discovered that tractors are more useful than bicycles.
Representatives have expressed interest in U.S. grain because of its starch and ethanol-production characteristics, according to RFD-TV. The development has excited American corn farmers, who have spent decades explaining to the rest of the country that corn isn’t just something you eat at a picnic. Now Taiwan apparently gets it.
“I’ve been growing this stuff for 41 years,” said Iowa farmer Duane Mercer. “Finally somebody appreciates a crop that can feed livestock, power engines and make politicians argue for six hours.”
American Corn Ethanol Exports Draw Taiwanese Buyers
The interest centers on ethanol, an alcohol commonly made from grain and used in fuel and other industrial applications, the same product the Renewable Fuels Association follows closely. That means Taiwanese buyers aren’t planning to turn Iowa into the world’s largest whiskey distillery. The distinction disappointed several farmers who had already volunteered to supervise quality control.
Representatives from the U.S. grains export council have pointed to opportunities to increase trade with Taiwan. Among the selling points is corn quality, including starch content and how the grain is handled after harvest.
Colorado corn has drawn attention because favorable drying conditions can produce grain with desirable characteristics. That surprised Midwest producers, who had always believed Colorado’s main agricultural products were expensive real estate and people explaining why they moved there.
Grain Quality Becomes an International Competition
Grain quality involves more than how impressive an ear looks in a county fair photograph. Moisture, handling, storage, kernel condition and starch content can all change its value to processors, and the USDA Economic Research Service tracks much of that market. Corn harvested at higher moisture may need drying and extra handling. Every handling step is another chance for damage, cost or somebody discovering the elevator’s equipment needs replacing.
Farmers know those chances well. Mercer says it’s encouraging that international buyers are looking at quality at all. “Normally the elevator tells me my corn has too much moisture, too many broken kernels and not enough price,” he said. “Now somebody in Taiwan might tell me it’s excellent. I may have to buy a plane ticket just to hear that.”
The Scale Ticket, the Phone Call and the Poll
The Elevator Scale Ticket
Mercer kept his most recent scale ticket from the local elevator. It lists the weight, the moisture, a deduction for “foreign material” and a final price. The foreign material, he says, was a single lug nut. “I’ve been docked for a lug nut. I’ve been docked for that lug nut three years in a row. I think it’s the same one.”
The Phone Call Transcript
A transcript of a call between a Midwest grain broker and an overseas contact, shared by the broker, reads in part: “Is it good corn?” “It’s American corn.” “That’s not what I asked.” “It’s very good American corn.” The broker says the call lasted four minutes and resulted in a purchase.
The Coffee Shop Poll
An informal poll at a farm co-op coffee counter asked whether Taiwan was right to look at American corn. Thirty-one said yes. Two said they’d like to see the money first. One said he’d been telling everybody for years and wanted that on the record.
Washington Considers Taking Credit for Photosynthesis
News of potential export business has reportedly attracted politicians looking to claim responsibility for American corn. Agricultural officials have started discussing trade relationships, market development and international competitiveness.
Farmers would rather have confirmed purchases. A trade mission is useful. A signed grain contract is better. A check that clears is practically a religious experience.
Export business could help producers if interested buyers end up choosing U.S. supplies. But American corn competes with grain from other countries, and price matters. The cheapest corn isn’t always the most valuable for a particular industrial purpose. That’s good news for producers who’d rather sell quality than apologize for production costs.
The Corn Finally Gets Some Respect
The Taiwanese interest highlights something agricultural families understand instinctively. American crops serve a global market, even when domestic political debates treat farmers as decorative background scenery. Corn can become animal feed, food ingredients, industrial materials and fuel. It’s about as versatile as a crop gets. The farmer, sadly, is still expected to live on whatever’s left after everybody else gets paid, and Iowa Corn members will tell you the same.
Mercer says international demand is welcome, as long as buyers understand one thing. “My corn makes good ethanol because I know how to grow corn.” He looked toward Washington. “The government can take credit for the sunshine when it starts paying the electric bill.”
For now the Midwest has an encouraging prospect. Its corn might get more appreciation overseas. And unlike most people who discover alcohol, Taiwan seems interested in the chemistry rather than the hangover.
Five Humorous Observations
- He’s been docked for a lug nut three years in a row. Same lug nut. That nut is the most expensive piece of hardware in Iowa. It should have its own bank account.
- Taiwan wants the ethanol, not the whiskey. You know how much that hurt? A whole room of farmers volunteered for quality control. Not one of them was sad about the chemistry. They were sad about the tasting.
- Colorado corn. Colorado’s main crops are expensive real estate and a guy telling you why he moved there. He tells you at the dinner, then at the gas station, and then again, slower, at the second dinner.
- “Is it good corn?” “It’s American corn.” “That’s not what I asked.” That’s every relationship with a mechanic. You ask if it’s fixed, he says it’s a Ford.
- Forty-one years of farming and he’d buy a plane ticket just to hear “it’s excellent.” Hey, a pat on the back from a stranger in another time zone. We’ve all done worse for less. I once drove an hour for a free sandwich.
Last Updated on November 1, 2026 by Alan Nafzger