To showcase the benefits and opportunities of using U.S. corn co-products in feed diets, the U.S. Grains Council (USGC) gathered with feed millers and grains buyers in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) in early September.
The Council’s event welcomed more than 45 KSA participants, including importers, nutritionists, plant managers and company owners. Speakers, comprising Nutritionist Consultant Dr. Alvaro Garcia; storage expert, Dr. Dirk Maier from Iowa State University; an agricultural specialist from CME group, as well as U.S. members and suppliers, covered supply and demand of coarse grains and corn co-products; shipping and logistics; distiller’s dried grains with solubles (DDGS) manufacturing practices; DDGS use in broilers and layers rations; DDGS as a replacement for alfalfa hay; and grain storage management.
“The workshop aimed to highlight U.S. corn and corn co-products, added value in the feed formula and the good management and best grain storage practices in KSA,” said Ramy H. Taieb, USGC regional director for EMEA. “This was the second conference organized by the Council in the Kingdom, which provided additional exposure to Saudi traders, allowing poultry, aquaculture and dairy farmers to get to know the Council and increase their awareness of the benefits of using DDGS in their rations.”
The Council also had the opportunity to meet with different customers in Dammam, hold storage training sessions, highlight the benefits of best storage practices and update procedures and processes for grains in hot and humid climates.
Importers of U.S. corn in the region face significant challenges in maintaining quality during storage due to harsh weather conditions, lack of training and technical support and limited investment in appropriate equipment. By hosting workshops like this, the Council is working to address these issues and open the door for increased exports of U.S. corn and corn co-products in the region.
The Council has been active in KSA for more than 30 years and has worked to help develop the dairy, poultry and aqua industries. More recently, the Council’s efforts in KSA have focused on marketing opportunities for corn, sorghum and corn co-products while educating end-users on where to buy them and how to use them.
“The Council’s MEA office will continue supporting the growth of the feed industry in the Kingdom to meet the rising food demand and to help feed millers improve production efficiency and reduce the cost of production,” Taieb said.
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.