In addition to the lectures associated with the workshop, the 18 participants increased their knowledge of the feed industry through visits to Emporia Pet Food, Emporia, Kansas, U.S.; Sundstrom Dairy Farms and Wray Farms, Ottawa, Kansas, U.S.; Midwest Ag Service Feed Mill, Seneca, Kansas, U.S.; Ag Partners Co-op Feed Mill, Ellsworth, Iowa, U.S.; and a U.S. soybean farm in Mankato, Minnesota, U.S. The team also participated in an extrusion practicum during the workshop.
The purpose of the team’s visit was to increase participants’ knowledge of feed manufacturing and U.S. soybeans, said Carlos Campabadal, workshop manager and IGP grain quality and feed manufacturing program specialist.
“They came here to learn new technologies in feed manufacturing, focusing on U.S. soybeans and U.S. soybean meal, through technical lectures and industry visits,” Campabadal said.
One participant Zhang Wen Ye, technical manager for the Henan Henhui feed company, said he was surprised by the amount of knowledge he gained.
“I came with the training team to study feed producing technology and to help me understand the American feed industry,” he said. “The most helpful things I have learned are feed equipment theories and how to store and process grain.”
Wen Ye and the trade team were accompanied by Miguel Escobar, USSEC’s animal utilization target area director.
“We bring to IGP every year several teams from all over the world. The programs that IGP puts together for U.S. soybean customers have been extremely good and well appreciated by the U.S. soybean customers. It is the best way that we can train them to be updated in things related to soybeans and soybean meal. We know that what they receive will help them to increase the production in their countries and that will favor our exports,” Escobar said. “We receive a world-class training from IGP. Nobody can do it better.”
