Last week in Mexico, representatives from the U.S. Grains Council (USGC), USDA Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS), U.S. Livestock Genetics Export (USGLE) and U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC), came together for the annual cattle roadshow.
In its third year, the cattle roadshow combines themes of best practices in cattle management, nutrition and genetics and the latest research related to the host organizations. This year’s installment focused on reaching new markets and end users in Tabasco and Hermosillo, while also strengthening the Council’s ties within the cooperator community.
“The roadshow has been very well-received by participants each year since its inception, and its value to the Council in connecting with local producers cannot be understated,” said Heidi Bringenberg, USGC director in Mexico. “None of it would be possible without the leadership of the U.S. Agricultural Export Development Council and the Council’s partners, FAS, USGLE and USSEC, who share a goal of improving human and animal health through higher-quality diets that are attainable by incorporating high-protein U.S. products.”
The Council’s conversations throughout the week revolved around the use of distiller’s dried grains with solubles (DDGS) and corn-fermented protein (CFP) in cattle rations and supplements.
Speakers for the Council offered end-users the latest information on DDGS and CFP use in cattle diets on feed lots, along with a supply and demand outlook for corn.
“As always, all information is very appreciated by the end users. At Tabasco where we are running our DDGS promotion program, it was a great opportunity to offer education on genetics and present to the students who are the future end users. At Sonora, we learned how DDGS has been embraced in just a few years and is now an essential ingredient for cattle supplements,” said Javier Chavez, USGC senior marketing specialist in Mexico.
DDGS is reaching a stage of market consolidation where, like in the northern markets, it is fully integrated in the rations, and it’s time to promote CFP as a new ingredient to that market. In the southern markets, DDGS is well known, and the Council is working more on the side of supply and helping the end user work with supplements and better management of their grain inventories.
Mexico represented more than 20 percent of total U.S. DDGS exports in the 2022/23 marketing year, totaling 2.2 million metric tons (86 million bushels). The country has been the top year-over-year market for more than a decade.
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.