WASHINGTON, DC, US — Floyd Gaibler, a longtime director of trade policy and biotechnology for the US Grains Council (USGC), died Jan. 21 following complications from surgery.

“Floyd was a good man who loved his work at the Council and in the agriculture community,” said Ryan LeGrand, president and chief executive officer of the USGC. “We are deeply saddened by his loss and grateful for the many contributions he made to our industry over a lifetime of work.”

In his role with the Council, Gaibler worked with government officials and the White House to address trade policy issues related to the export of US feed grains and their co-products.

Gaibler’s service to the agricultural sector was long and devoted, spanning more than 30 years in both the executive and legislative branches of the US federal government and numerous positions in the private sector.

He was deputy undersecretary for farm and foreign agricultural services at the US Department of Agriculture. In that capacity, he provided leadership and guidance to programs administered by the Farm Service Agency, the Commodity Credit Corp., the Risk Management Agency and major international and food trade issues affecting the Foreign Agricultural Service.

He also worked for House Committee of Agriculture; the Agriculture Retailers Association; the International Dairy Foods Association; the National Cheese Institute/American Butter Institute; and others.

Gaibler was born and raised on the family farm in Farnam, Nebraska, US, and received a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in agricultural economics from the University of Nebraska.

He is survived by his wife and two children as well as relatives in Nebraska and many devoted friends and colleagues.

Arrangements are pending. Remembrances can be sent to grains@grains.org or the USGC offices in Washington, DC, US, to be passed on to Floyd's family.