Just behind Mexico and China, Canada has recently moved into third place for export markets for grains in all forms (GIAF). From September to December 2021, corn and distiller’s dried grains with solubles (DDGS) exports have played a role in this move from the fourth to third-largest market.
An opportunity was created for U.S. corn and DDGS when a drought in western Canada last summer significantly reduced the country’s barley and wheat supply, creating an ingredient deficit for cattle and swine feed. With those commodities less available, Canada has purchased 3,478,200 metric tons (136,929,777 bushels) of U.S. corn and 352,111 metric tons of DDGS so far in the marketing year.
The U.S. Grains Council (USGC) has conducted programs and educational opportunities in Canada since 2006. The organization works closely with Gowans Feed Consulting in Canada to provide programming and the most up-to-date information to potential customers there, allowing them to make the best purchasing decisions for their operations.
Neil Campbell and Tom Dowler of Gowans Feed Consulting serve as the Council’s consultants in Canada. In their roles, Campbell and Dowler provide market insight and assist in strategy and program development for the Council’s feed grains promotion in the Canadian market. Via Gowans Feed Consulting, the Council also provides monthly pricing updates that demonstrate the value of DDGS in hog and cattle rations across various provinces to its Canadian partners, buyers and end-users in the country.
“Gowans Feed Consulting’s expertise in animal nutrition and production management has led to the development of strong relationships within the Canadian feed and livestock industries, making them a valuable partner for the U.S. Grains Council in this important market,” said Emily Byron, USGC manager of global programs.
In September 2021, the two groups partnered to conduct two feed webinars focused on beef and swine production. The cattle-focused webinar replaced the Council’s annual Corn & DDGS Roadshow in Alberta, while the swine-focused webinar was the Council’s second engagement with Western Canadian swine producers, including the Hutterite community. The Hutterites in Canada live communally in village-like settlements centered around their farming operations.
The webinars, which were designed to address the opportunity for U.S. corn and DDGS given the drought situation, offered participants the latest market and nutrition information on U.S. corn and corn co-products, while also helping participants gain a better understanding of how to identify buying opportunities.
“The Council’s programming in this market has alleviated concerns about the quality of U.S. corn and DDGS, confirmed our commitment to transparent and reliable cross-border trade with our northern neighbor and introduced new end users to the nutritional and economic benefits of U.S. feed grains,” Byron said.
As the Canadian market continues to grow and change in the current marketing year, the Council and it associates in Canada look forward to providing more programming and education opportunities for buyers and end-users there.
About The U.S. Grains Council
The U.S. Grains Council develops export markets for U.S. barley, corn, sorghum and related products including distiller’s dried grains with solubles (DDGS) and ethanol. With full-time presence in 28 locations, the Council operates programs in more than 50 countries and the European Union. The Council believes exports are vital to global economic development and to U.S. agriculture’s profitability. Detailed information about the Council and its programs is online at www.grains.org.