Granjas Carroll, the second-largest pork producer in Mexico, visited Minnesota last week to analyze re-introducing dried distillers’ grains (DDGS) into their rations. Hosted by the U.S. Grains Council (USGC) and the Minnesota Corn Growers Association (MCGA), the tour was an opportunity to demonstrate the cost-saving and nutritional benefits of DDGS.

Granjas Carroll stopped by Valero to learn about the production of DDGS.

Granjas Carroll came to the United States and Minnesota, specifically, to explore re-introducing DDGS into their pork rations after discontinuing their use 11 years ago due to flowability and economic concerns.

The group began with an in-depth look at the nutritional benefits of DDGS and how they are being used in pork operations with a short course at the University of Minnesota. Representatives of Granjas Carroll had an opportunity to hear the latest research on how DDGS are being incorporated successfully today.

Following the short course, MCGA brought Granjas Carroll to the Northfield farm of MCGA director Bruce Peterson. Peterson finishes pigs in addition to growing corn and soybeans. Peterson discussed the role DDGS play in their rations as a finishing operation, as well as how they are stored on his farm. The group also dove into Peterson’s phase feeding strategy when using DDGS.

The next day, the group traveled to Valero Ethanol Plant in Welcome, Minn. There, Granjas Carroll saw the DDGS production process up close and details about the final product, including how much oil is left in DDGS. Representatives from Hugoson Pork and Steuber Farms joined the tour to answer questions about how they incorporate DDGS in their operations, including details on their phase feeding philosophies.

Following Valero, the group traveled to Iowa, where they continued their DDGS education with visits to hog operations, feed mills and Iowa State University.

MCGA works with the USGC to host international delegations on Minnesota corn farms and more in an effort to promote the state’s corn growers and develop relationships abroad. You can learn more about how Minnesota’s corn growers are building export markets here.