Representatives of the Colombian Association of Pork Producers recently came to the Northern Crops Institute to update their knowledge of feed ingredients, ration formulation, feed mill equipment and plant design.
Thirteen members of the Colombian Association of Pork Producers attended a four-day feed manufacturing program May 31-June 3 at Northern Crops Institute. The participants represented some of the largest feed mill companies and swine operations in Colombia.
The North Dakota Corn Utilization Council, Minnesota Corn Research and Promotion Council, and the U.S. Grains Council sponsored the seminar.
“Members of the pork association wanted a program that would bring their people up to speed with the feed industry in order to deal with opportunities that may arise through new trade agreements. Although United States and Colombia are still negotiating a free trade agreement, many changes have already occurred in the marketplace, resulting in consolidations and increased competition,” said John Crabtree, institute interim director.
“The U.S. Grains Council has strongly promoted DDGS in Colombia as a feed ingredient. If the U.S. and Colombia sign a free trade agreement, this will be a great opportunity to move U.S. DDGS into Colombia,” Crabtree said. DDGS, Distillers Dried Grains with Solubles, are a co-product of ethanol production.
Kim Koch, the institute’s feed center manager, coordinated and lectured during the program. Other speakers included Gerry Leukam, T.E. Ibberson Co.; Roberto Cespedes, Buhler Inc.; Robert Thaler, South Dakota State University; Joe Hancock, Kansas State University; David Newman, NDSU; and Matt Frederking, RalCo Nutrition. David Fairfield, National Grain and Feed Association, could not attend but shared information.
Lecture topics included feed mill design, equipment, personnel, feed manufacturing processes, swine nutrition, distillers dried grains with solubles and grain sorghum in feed, meat quality and feed safety. The group participated in feed manufacturing demonstrations at Northern Crop Institute’s feed mill. They also toured the Tharaldson Ethanol Facility in Casselton, N.D., hosted by Ryan Thorpe.