5 August 2009

2 minute read

North America

With the interest abound in the co-product of U.S. ethanol production, the U.S. Grains Council has taken an educational approach in the promotion of DDGS through seminars around the world.

A continuation of the Council’s efforts in Australia, following a DDGS feeding trial earlier this year, a DDGS seminar was conducted at the Australia Grains Industry Conference in Melbourne this week. Ryan LeGrand, of Council member Hawkeye Gold LLC, and Adel Yusupov, USGC regional director in Southeast Asia, presented to a group of 45 attendees from Australia and New Zealand’s feedmilling, animal production and grains trading sectors.

“There is a large potential for DDGS sales in Australia, given the size of their livestock sector and periodic shortages of feed ingredients as a result of drought conditions,” said Yusupov.

The seminar provided means for the Council to answer questions about DDGS nutrient content, digestibility, handling, mycotoxins and antibiotic residues.

“End-users from New Zealand in attendance put in a good word about their positive experience with U.S. DDGS as well,” said Mike Callahan, USGC senior director of international operations for Asia, noting the support received during the seminar.

Freight is a major concern when considering price competitiveness of DDGS in the Australian marketplace, but Yusupov is optimistic as current prices are competitive with alternative products and DDGS can be worked into feed rations at a significant discount.

Yusupov and LeGrand also continued the promotion of U.S. DDGS in Malaysia this week, reaching about 65 poultry and feed industry professionals in a one-day seminar held in Kuala Lumpur.

In 2008, U.S. DDGS exports to Malaysia reached 57,659 metric tons, a 30 per cent increase from 2007 levels. Citing a lack of trade barriers, stable feed demand base and a matured livestock sector, Yusupov is confident about DDGS market expansion in Malaysia.

TheCattleSite News Desk