Educational Programming Strengthens Council’s Relationship With Mexico’s Largest Cattle Producer

In the last four years, the U.S. Grains Council (USGC) has been building upon its relationship with SuKarne, Mexico’s largest cattle producer, as the company looks to improve its processes and gain greater confidence in the quality of U.S. corn. This week, Council staff in Mexico have set up a training to help the group’s quality control team learn to identify and classify types of corn damage.

The Council and SuKarne began working together following a Corn Export Cargo Quality Report presentation when the company requested additional assistance and training from the Council following difficulties with broken corn and foreign materials (BCFM) in its imports. The group was also interested in learning more about grain management, pest control and safety.

As a follow up, the Council’s programming this week was created specifically for the company’s technical and nutritional leadership teams, offering them a more advanced understanding of the quality differences in the corn they import in the future.

“We are very proud of what we have accomplished with SuKarne. Traditionally a more private organization, they value our information and resources, and we now have a very close relationship with them. They truly value and appreciate what the Council has to offer,” said Javier Chávez, USGC marketing specialist in Mexico.

Carlos Campabadal from Kansas State University’s International Grains Program Institute (IGP) was on-site to assist with the educational training, discussing types of grain damage, how to identify them and practicing on-site with grain that arrived at the feed mill, including distiller’s dried grains with solubles (DDGS).

“The seminar was conducted in a hybrid model, allowing us to present to five feedlots simultaneously. Following the seminars, we went as a group to visit the grain storage facility and feed mill to practice what we had learned in the classroom,” Chávez said. “There’s nothing better than seeing our friends in person again.”

As the Council works to build upon SuKarne’s knowledge of the quality of U.S. corn, it would also like to introduce the use of DDGS to the company. The Council looks forward to continuing its partnership with SuKarne, while strengthening relationships specifically with quality control personnel.