Photo credit: U.S. Grains & BioProducts Council.
The U.S. Grains & BioProducts Council recently hosted a trade mission in Minnesota for 10 poultry and swine nutritionists from Central America and the Caribbean to strengthen their knowledge of U.S. corn co-products and increase confidence in using those ingredients in animal feed formulations.
The delegation met with stakeholders across the grain utilization and logistics sectors, gaining firsthand exposure to U.S. corn production, ethanol facilities that produce distiller's dried grains with solubles, transportation systems, quality control standards and research on the nutritional and economic benefits of U.S.-origin corn co-products.
Central America ranked as the ninth-largest export destination for U.S. corn co-products during the 2025-26 marketing year. The program focused on expanding participants' understanding of feed formulation practices and the role of DDGS in poultry and swine diets.
The mission began with a visit to Minnesota Corn headquarters, where industry experts presented information on U.S. corn production, feed formulation and the use of corn co-products in animal nutrition.
Presentations included technical discussions from Dr. Scott Tilton of The Andersons Inc. and Dr. Pedro Urriola of the University of Minnesota, covering the nutritional characteristics of U.S. DDGS and their applications in poultry and swine feed.
Participants also toured an ethanol plant and a family farm to observe the production process for corn co-products and the quality standards used throughout the industry. The visits highlighted production practices and the performance benefits associated with DDGS.
The program concluded with a visit to a river terminal, where the delegation learned about export logistics for DDGS and safety practices used throughout the transportation chain. Representatives from the Minnesota Department of Agriculture also met with the group to discuss the state's agricultural production capabilities.
According to the council, the trade mission also created opportunities to exchange technical knowledge, strengthen relationships with U.S. exporters and identify potential business partners while expanding understanding of U.S. corn co-products in international feed markets.
Source: U.S. Grains & BioProducts Council, "Central American Nutritionists Attend Training Courses In Minnesota"