By: Robert Hurley, U.S. Grains Council Director of Programs in China
The U.S. Grains Council has helped China achieve an extremely rapid consolidation of the country’s dairy industry. This has led to large, modern dairies that have an increasing demand for coarse grains and their co-products. These large dairies are complex operations with heavy demands for intensive management, and there is a shortage of management talent for these operations.
To help address this need, the Council and Hauxia Dairy Farm formed the Sino-U.S. Dairy Management Training Center in 2006. Less than a decade later, the Center has become a highly regarded program that has helped China’s dairy industry modernize rapidly. It has also helped build demand for whole corn silage and distiller’s dried grains with solubles (DDGS) while heightening the positive role the Council plays in the development of China’s livestock industry.
Beginning Sept. 23, the Council escorted a team of Chinese dairy herd managers in this training program, to California and Wisconsin. The team members had the opportunity to discuss new ideas and view the latest U.S. technology to expand their thinking on what is possible for the dairy industry in China.
The team was also briefed on quality forages and sound herd management practices. The program was rounded out with a visit to the World Dairy Expo where elite dairy cattle, cutting-edge research and modern technologies are showcased.
While at the World Dairy Expo, team members transacted deals to purchase equipment this month. In fact, one of the innovative Chinese dairy owners purchased substantial equipment onsite from a U.S. supplier for immediate delivery with a follow-up installation visit by the supplier. The new equipment will help the dairy industry in China continue to enhance their dairy management practices.
The Council will continue to work in China’s dairy sector to build demand for U.S. coarse grains and co-products through the Sino-U.S. Dairy Management Training Center and programs similar to this one.