U.S. Grains Council sponsors Asian swine managers

WASHINGTON, D.C., June 5, 2009 - The U.S. Grains Council sponsored two teams of swine managers from China and Taiwan to travel to the United States this week to attend the World Pork Expo in Des Moines, Iowa, as well as attend educational courses and tour U.S. swine farms. Council members Iowa Corn Promotion Board, Iowa Corn Growers Association and the Iowa Department of Economic Development hosted a meeting for teams to ask questions and meet U.S. agricultural industry leaders, including Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey.

Northey said, "It was a very good meeting with pork producers from across China and Taiwan who are interested in a wide variety of Iowa products, from equipment to genetics. They are looking forward to building relationships with Iowa and learning from the expertise of our pork producers."

Low production efficiency of swine operations in China and Taiwan has been identified as a major constraint, hindering their ability to expand to higher levels of commercial scale hog production. Traveling to the United States will allow these swine managers and veterinarians to gain a better perspective of successful U.S. hog production practices as well as disease control management.

Roger Zylstra, Iowa Corn Growers Association board member, who also attended the meeting, said, "U.S. farmers have a vested interest in the increase of efficient hog production in China and Taiwan. An increase in their hog production matches an increase in their need for feed grains and co-products. As we build relationships, we are able to show them that U.S. farmers are a reliable, sustainable supplier of feed, food and fiber."

The Chinese Swine Management Team concluded their week-long educational expedition today while the Taiwanese Hog Producers Training Team continues to Council member Hawkeye Gold LLC for a tour of one of its ethanol facilities and to Iowa State University for educational seminars.

Julius Schaaf, USGC At-Large director and Iowa Corn Promotion Board board member, said, "These attendees are very innovative. They will take the information they learned back to their respective countries and utilize what works for them. This will give them the opportunity to expand their herd, improve their rations and ultimately increase their need for U.S. feed grains."