Last week, the U.S. Grains Council (USGC) brought international pork association leaders to Des Moines, IA, for the World Pork Expo, the world's largest pork industry trade show. The event aimed to familiarize them with U.S. producers and lay the groundwork for future feed grain sales.
“This event covers all aspects of pork production, from growing and sourcing high-quality feed to the equipment needed to run an effective operation,” said Carlos Maya, USGC regional consultant for Latin America (LTA). “The educational seminars, networking possibilities, and market and technology updates greatly benefited attendees, enhancing their businesses in LTA with new connections and knowledge of U.S.-produced animal feed.”
Maya led representatives from Colombian, Costa Rican, Guatemalan, Nicaraguan, and Peruvian pork producers’ associations to visit U.S. corn farms and explore the latest pork industry technologies at the expo.
A delegation from the Vietnamese pork industry, headed by USGC Manager of Global Programs Caleb Floss and USGC Vietnam Representative Tran Trong Nghia, also attended. They met with the Iowa Economic Development Authority and the Iowa Pork Producers’ Association to discuss the financial aspects of livestock raising and the sustainable production efforts of the U.S. industry. The groups also toured local farms and ethanol plants to see the entire animal feed production process.
The tour began at Iowa Corn Growers’ Association Chairman Dennis Friest’s farm in Radcliffe, IA, where participants observed typical U.S. corn-growing operations and equipment. They then visited POET’s ethanol facility in Jewell, IA, to learn how the world’s largest biofuels producer creates co-products like corn-fermented protein (CFP) and distiller’s dried grains with solubles (DDGS), which offer significant nutritional benefits to animal feed diets.
To complete the production cycle, the group toured Iowa State University’s Kent Corporation Feed Mill and Grain Science Complex to observe its feed milling and mixing techniques and its grain drying, handling, and storage equipment.
“Demand for protein sources like pork is increasing in Vietnam, and our participants were extremely eager to learn from U.S. industry experts on how nutritious dietary enhancements like CFP and DDGS can expand their production capacity,” Nghia said.
The USGC's efforts at the World Pork Expo are expected to strengthen international relationships and boost future U.S. feed grain sales by showcasing the quality and efficiency of U.S. agricultural practices.
