Photo credit: U.S. Grains & BioProducts Council.
The U.S. Grains & BioProducts Council hosted pork industry stakeholders from New Zealand and Thailand earlier this month for a multiday tour of U.S. swine production and corn co-product operations, culminating with attendance at World Pork Expo in Iowa.
The delegation, led by USGBC Regional Trade Manager Caleb Floss, aimed to strengthen technical understanding of U.S. pork production systems and highlight the role of corn and corn co-products in swine feed.
“The pork sector in New Zealand is adapting to new regulatory and operational pressures, and this delegation was interested in gaining direct exposure to U.S. pork production systems, technologies and management practices that may help inform their adaptations,” Floss said. “Thailand has a mature swine industry, yet novel co-products have opportunities for inclusion in feed rations.”
The program began with a visit to POET’s ethanol facility in Jewell, Iowa. The site provided attendees with a look at large-scale ethanol production and the manufacturing of corn co-products, including distiller’s dried grains with solubles, commonly known as DDGS.
The group then traveled to Iowa State University for a short course examining the relationship between feed grains and meat quality, along with the economics of using DDGS in swine diets.
On the following day, the delegation toured a farm and swine production operation to review feeding strategies and management practices. The group also visited a pork processing facility to gain a broader understanding of the supply chain, from feed production to finished pork products.
The final portion of the visit took place at World Pork Expo 2026, where delegates met with U.S. pork industry leaders and agricultural officials, including Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig.
“The positive experiences had by attendees here creates opportunities to further deepen engagement with decision makers in New Zealand pork’s industry and reinforces the Council’s commitment to supporting technical capacity and develops understanding of and loyalty to U.S. corn and its co-products,” Floss said.
Source: U.S. Grains & BioProducts Council, "SEA&O Pork Producers Visit World Pork Expo"