October 25, 2007

 

Japan interested in Minnesota's distillers' grains

 

 

A group of 13 Japanese visitors who have visited Minnesota October 18 and 19 have expressed interest for distillers' grains to feed their livestock.

 

According to Roger Moore, president of Minnesota Corn Growers Association, the continuous growth in the market make distillers' grains more acceptable as an alternative feed ration.

 

He added the booming US ethanol industry has quickly elevated the demand and production of distillers' grains.

 

Distillers grains, the animal feed product made from the corn kernels after they have been used to make ethanol, have seen a steep climb of market acceptance in Japan over the past two years. In 2005, US producers exported 2,824 Tonnes and shoot up to 45,248 tonnes -- still a relatively small portion of total distillers' grains production, but an indication how quickly the market can grow.

 

According to Riley Maanum, a research assistant at Minnesota Corn Growers Association, who accompanied the Japanese delegate on its tour, the consistency of the nutrition content of distillers' grains was one factor that attracted the Japanese.

 

The group went to the Southern Research and Outreach Centre of the University of Minnesota Extension Service, in Waseca, and heard from two presenters there.

 

John Goihl, a nutritionist and the president of Agri-Nutrition Services in Shakopee suggested to the Japanese a production plant for the development of distillers' grains. The technology is improving, and consistent high quality is one of the main aims of research in this area.

 

Goihl added the Japanese' interest is really a "development" as expanding they are thorough in deciding whether to expand and consume distillers' grains.

 

During the tour, swine nutritionist Professor Sam Baidoo made presentations to the group regarding research going on at Waseca on the utility of distillers' grains in hog diets. They have been testing the ethanol co-product at rates as high as 30 percent of the total ration and have found success with it. Poultry require a lower ration, around ten percent, because they cannot tolerate the sodium levels in a higher ration of distillers grains, he said.

 

The Japanese delegation included representatives of the Japanese Scientific Feed Association, a quality assurance division of a Japanese feed company and scientists from the Central Research Institute for Feed and Livestock in Tokyo. The economics of transporting DDGS, while still maintaining high quality, is a key concern of the Japanese buyers, said Maanum.