Ten international feed milling industry stakeholders from Colombia, Saudi Arabia, New Zealand, and Panama participated in an intensive training course at Iowa State University. The program focused on advanced feed manufacturing and mill management practices to enhance operational efficiencies and grain storage.
The training aims to improve operational efficiencies and storage practices for international feed millers, potentially leading to increased demand and exports of U.S. corn and its co-products by ensuring quality and addressing specific regional challenges.
Global feed milling industry leaders recently participated in an interactive training course at Iowa State University, organized by the U.S. Grains & BioProducts Council (USGBC). The week-long program brought together ten stakeholders from Colombia, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, New Zealand, and Panama to learn about advanced feed manufacturing and mill management practices.
The curriculum combined classroom instruction with hands-on sessions at ISU’s Kent Feed Mill & Grain Science Complex. Key topics included hammer and roller milling, particle size analysis, batching and mixing, steam generation and conditioning, pelleting, cooling, and post-pelleting applications. Participants also received practical training in mixer uniformity, pelleting, and pellet durability and hardness testing, alongside instruction on preserving the quality of stored grains, distiller’s dried grains with solubles (DDGS), and other ingredients.
Mark Sevier, USGBC manager of global strategies and trade, highlighted the program's aim to demonstrate the advantages of U.S. corn and co-products while addressing challenges such as storage in hot and humid climates and improving processing operations. He noted that these courses systematically address end-users' issues, potentially increasing exports of U.S. corn.
Following the university sessions, participants toured local and national corn value chain facilities. USGBC member POET hosted the group at one of its ethanol plants, and a local farm showcased its corn crop, offering insights into the scale and efficiency of U.S. corn production. Sevier emphasized that maintaining the quality of U.S. corn during transit and storage is a priority for international end-users, enhancing U.S. corn's global competitiveness.