Colombian Association of Pork Producers go to North Dakota to update feed expertise

Thirteen members of the Colombian Association of Pork Producers attended a four-day feed manufacturing programme May 31-June 3 at Northern Crops Institute. The participants were from some of the largest feed mill companies and swine operations in Colombia.

The seminar was sponsored by the North Dakota Corn Utilization Council, Minnesota Corn Research and Promo-tion Council, and the U.S. Grains Council (USGC).

"Members of the pork association wanted a programme 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," said John Crabtree, NCI interim director. "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.

"The U S Grains Council has strongly promoted DDGS (dry distillers grains with solubles) in Colombia as a feed ingredient. If the US and Colombia sign a free trade agreement, this will be a great opportunity to move U.S. DDGS into Colombia," he added.

DDGS are a co-product of ethanol production. Lecture topics included feed mill design, equipment, personnel, feed manufacturing processes, swine nutrition, DDGS and grain sorghum in feed, meat quality, and feed safety. The group participated in feed manufacturing demonstrations at NCI’s feed mill. They also toured the Tharaldson Ethanol Facility in Casselton, N.D.