Tuesday July 28 Ag News

Farmers Union Asks the Legislature to Honor Nebraska’s Promise to Keep Our Meat and Poultry Processing Plant Workers Safe

Nebraska Farmers Union (NeFU) is asking the Nebraska Legislature, especially those with meatpacking plants, poultry processing plants, or meat processing facilities in their Legislative District to work with Senator Tony Vargas as he asks the Legislature to suspend the rules to allow him to introduce a bill yet this session that is intended to follow through on the promise made to provide Nebraska meatpacking and poultry processing plant workers with a safe workplace and critical sick leave benefits.

Nebraska is the nation’s leading red meat producing and processing state. The industry is a massive economic engine that is spread across the state. NeFU counts at least 18 Senators or over a third of the legislative body who have meatpacking facilities in their Districts including Senator Vargas. Those Senators with meatpacking or meat processing plants in their Legislative District includes Senators Albrecht, Bostelman, Brandt, Geist, Halloran, La Grone, Lathrop, Lowe, McCollister, McDonnell, Moser, Quick, Scheer, Slama, Walz, Williams, and Wishart.  “We hope all the Senators with meatpacking, poultry processing, and meat processing facilities in their Legislative Districts can work together to make sure the workplace modifications, safety equipment, process changes, and sick leave benefits are in place as they should be,” said NeFU President John Hansen.

Hansen said “Everyone in Nebraska knows that our meatpacking workers, poultry processing workers, and meat processing workers have been hit disproportionately hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. Since not all the plants are reporting the number of workers who have tested positive or have died, it is not known exactly how many workers have been impacted or lost. Our state should not tolerate that lack of fundamental transparency. The workers, their families, and communities are entitled to that basic information.”

Nebraska Farmers Union was a co-sponsor of the rally at the Capitol Tuesday along with many other organizations asking the Legislature to make time to address meatpacking worker workplace safety and medical benefits. NeFU Secretary Graham Christensen was one of the speakers who addressed the rally. He pointed out that the COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionately impacted meatpacking communities, and that meatpacking workers deserved to be treated fairly and safely. Christensen said the recent meatpacking crisis exposed a rigid food system that does not work for food producers or food consumers. 



New PReP (Pandemic Research for the People) Rural Coalition Calls On Nebraska To Fix COVID-19 Related Disparities Emerging From The Fragile Food Production System

Nebraska Communities United, GC Resolve, Forward Latino, and the Nebraska League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) are calling on the State of Nebraska to do its part to address the fragile national food system immediately.  In a newly released document, coalition partners highlight how COVID-19 is accelerating the rural U.S. into a national security crisis.

PReP Rural, a coalition which all 3 groups participate in with other members from Nebraska and across the country, says that the current model of food production is putting people at risk and the food system must be updated to protect the health and well-being rural residents.

Six key actions were identified to increase our national security:
1. Increase meatpacking worker protections, pay, and safety standards immediately.  Currently meatpacking companies are committing human rights violations towards workers deemed essential.  All humans are created equal and those risking their lives to get the public food should be allotted the same benefits as executives in the parent company.

2. Update and enforce anti-trust legislation to increase competition in the agricultural marketplace by breaking up monopolization in the agricultural sector.

3. Allow for state inspection of meat processing and allow for interstate shipment of meat to secure up local food access and increase market opportunities for farmers and ranchers.

4. Reform federal farm subsidies to support a new crop of young farmers and invest in the transition to regenerative agriculture.

5. Resuscitate state-level corporate farming bans to protect independent farming and ranching operations from complete agri-business takeover and protect states from the aggressive push by industrial agriculture companies into rural areas that is decimating independent farmers, the environment, and rural quality of life.

6. Implement farmer-owned grain reserves to ensure that there is an abundant supply of seed and feed in times of natural disruptions.

Graham Christensen President of GC Resolve comment on PReP Rural Action Steps: “Nebraska is a case study for what is not working in food production.  To not address the issues presented by COVID-19 in the agricultural industry would be a blatant disregard to the security and well-being of rural Nebraskans.  Our leaders must use this opportunity to build a regenerative future for our state.  PReP Rural has identified the key regenerative focuses that help consumers have consistent access to food, that creates much needed new market opportunities for farmers, and that prioritizes the ultimate safety and well-being for meatpacking workers.”

Joe Henry National VP of Forward Latino comment on PReP Rural Action Steps: “The current food production system is not working for anyone.  LULAC is part of this coalition because we realize that if things are to get better for plant workers and farmers, a larger structural change will be needed.  The action steps identified from PReP Rural properly prioritizes protecting many of our members who are essential workers themselves, but also helps re-direct agriculture into a more hopeful direction that will help ensure opportunities for new independent packing plants with better working environments and also increases opportunities for farmers to produce more food for our families.”

Elsa Ramon-Aranda Council Contact at Nebraska LULAC on PReP Rural Action Steps: “Nebraska LULAC has been shocked to hear about the lack of regard for the well-being of essential worker from big meatpacking companies, about the lack of transparency on reporting COVID-19 cases in meatpacking plants, and about the lack leadership in addressing how we can protect these workers.  LULAC has also seen similarities in how family farmers are being neglected in this time of crisis as well.  It doesn’t appear the current food production model is built to last through the natural challenges of a complex world so we support PReP Rural’s Action Steps that will increase food security and shift food production into a regenerative direction.

Nebraska Communities United President Randy Ruppert comment on PReP Rural Action Steps: “For too many years multinational corporations have continued to consolidate and force out smaller centralized processing plants.  With the pandemic, farmers are destroying herds of swine, cattle and fowl while the companies continue to force essential workers to be placed in harm's way.  More farmers approach bankruptcy, yet several meatpacking companies accrued record profits.  We have to bring equity back into our food system now.  Increasing our security by focusing on local processing and regenerative agricultural principles will once again make our food system strong, safe and reliable while protecting the health of the workers and our environment.”

With these six state and federal focuses, the worst outcomes for our producers, the broader community and the country more widely could be alleviated.  We also can make sure another outbreak, increasing flooding and other climate disturbances, and any other emergency never gridlocks production again.  Community resiliency, agility, and farmer autonomy are the way forward.



The Farm Progress Virtual Experience will include the most extensive field demos in the history of both the Farm Progress Show and Husker Harvest Days.

The merging of field demonstrations for the two largest farm shows in the country will be the cornerstone of the industry-leading Farm Progress Virtual Experience. Set to kick off Sept. 15 and run through Sept. 17, the new virtual event will allow farmers to get close to a wider range of new machines in action than ever before.

"This will be no static display of equipment sitting on some farm," says Don Tourte, senior vice president of sales for Farm Progress. "We've got close to 400 acres of corn to harvest at two sites, and three days of alfalfa to cut, rake and bale. And we're going to be showing machines at work on all those different tasks — and even more."

When the virtual gates open on Day 1, farmers will get a chance to see all these machines at work. Field demonstrations will be carried out each day at 9 a.m. and at 11 a.m. This video-intense demonstration program will engage multiple camera views, including from the air, so viewers can see these machines from every angle.

"And we're going to have more types of equipment to view, too," says Matt Jungmann, Farm Progress national events director. "From combines to tillage to hay tools and even planting equipment, we expect our exhibitors to bring in a lot of machinery to show off in this special virtual event. It will be a unique opportunity for farmers to get up close and personal with the equipment."

That's right, no tape line to stay behind, and the video cameras for these virtual demonstrations will be positioned in ways that show off each machine's unique features. In addition, every demonstration will be followed by a farmer panel offering insight into what they found interesting about the new machines in action.

"We're all in new territory with a virtual event, but we are doing all we can to re-create the experiences farmers most want to see when they come to either the Farm Progress Show or Husker Harvest Days," Jungmann says.

The Farm Progress Virtual Experience runs Sept. 15-17.



Fed Cattle Exchange Acquired by Central Stockyards, LLC

The Fed Cattle Exchange, the only weekly fed cattle online auction for the cattle industry, has been acquired by Central Stockyards, LLC from 5150 Productions Company, LLC.

Since 2016 the Fed Cattle Exchange has provided the cattle industry with weekly, cost-effective cattle auctions that provide a platform for price discovery through competitive bidding. The prices determined in the weekly auctions benefit the entire cattle industry and livestock futures markets by providing a transparent baseline price for weekly negotiated live cattle markets.

"The Fed Cattle Exchange is a vital tool to the cattle industry because it provides transparent price discovery," said Forrest Roberts, President and CEO of Central Stockyards, LLC. "Our vision is that we can make the Fed Cattle Exchange even more valuable to customers and the entire cattle industry by using technical innovations to adapt to immediate industry needs."

"The Fed Cattle Exchange has been a personal and professional passion since 2015," said Jordan Levi, Manager of 5150 Productions Company, LLC. "I am pleased the Fed Cattle Exchange is being acquired by a team with the technical resources and cattle industry experience needed to support and expand the Fed Cattle Exchange."

"We look forward to servicing existing customers of the Fed Cattle Exchange and earning the business of new customers," said Surcy Peoples, Director of Operations for Central Stockyards, LLC.  "We are working hard to bring new marketing methods to the cattle industry that support the benefits of negotiated trade and reward value creation."

The acquisition was effective as of July 24, 2020. Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.



NASDA Issues Statement on Chinese Mystery Seeds
NASDA CEO Dr. Barb Glenn

"National Association of State Departments of Agriculture is working closely with USDA's Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) and the Department of Homeland Security to understand the origin of these unsolicited seeds from China that have entered our country illegally.

Right now we are encouraging the public to keep the seeds and complete packaging, including mailing information, and contact your state department of agriculture or APHIS state director.

Please do not plant or consume the seeds."



IDALS Issues Guidance on Proper Disposal of Unsolicited Seed Deliveries

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig confirmed today that the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship is aware that individuals in Iowa have received unsolicited seed shipments from China and other countries.

The Department is asking anyone who receives unlabeled seed from an unknown origin to retain the original packaging and report it immediately at 515-281-5321. Recipients should not open the seed packet, plant the seed or attempt to destroy it. The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship or United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) will collect, analyze and properly destroy the seeds.

“The Iowa Department of Agriculture is working closely with the USDA to trace, collect and properly destroy these unknown seeds to protect our agriculture community from plant and seed-borne diseases,” said Secretary Naig.

Unlabeled seeds and seeds from unknown origins should never be planted. They pose the risk of introducing an invasive plant species or seed-borne diseases that do not currently exist in the United States. APHIS is working closely with the Department of Homeland Security’s Customs and Border Protection and State departments of agriculture to prevent the unlawful entry of prohibited seeds and protect U.S. agriculture from invasive pests and noxious weeds.

The USDA APHIS issued a news release stating this may be a “brushing scam,” where people receive unsolicited items from a seller who then posts false customer reviews to boost online sales.



TASK FORCE RELEASES NEW BEEF INDUSTRY LONG RANGE PLAN FOR 2021-2025

The Beef Industry Long Range Plan task force officially introduced its new five-year plan for 2021-2025 today at the Cattle Industry Summer Business Meeting in Denver. The task force’s mission is to ensure the long-term prosperity of the U.S. beef industry by sustainably producing the most trusted, highest quality and consistently satisfying protein for consumers around the world.

“We want beef to be the protein of choice, and we want the entire U.S. beef industry to be trusted and respected for its commitment to quality, safety, and sustainability,” said Kim Brackett, leader of the task force and cow/calf rancher from Idaho. “The task force invested many hours, discussing the current state of the industry and what we need to accomplish over the next five years. We feel we’ve established some important priorities and strategies, as well as benchmarks for success that will help keep our industry on track through 2025 and beyond.”

THE BEEF INDUSTRY LONG RANGE PLAN
Updated every five years, the Beef Industry Long Range Plan is a tool designed to help the beef industry establish a common set of objectives and priorities. It communicates the industry’s strategic direction and provides insight on how the industry can serve its stakeholders by growing beef demand.

Since 1995, industry leaders have gathered to develop an aligned, comprehensive plan with the goal of increasing consumer demand for beef. These leaders are brought together to study and compile major areas of opportunity facing beef over the next five years.

The 2021-2025 Beef Industry Long Range Plan includes the following key priorities and core strategies:

Industry Objectives:
1. Grow global demand for U.S. beef by promoting beef’s health and nutritional benefits, satisfying flavor and unparalleled safety.
2. Improve industry-wide profitability by expanding processing capacity and developing improved value-capture models.
3. Intensify efforts in researching, improving, and communicating U.S. beef industry sustainability.
4. Make traceability a reality in the U.S. beef industry.

Core Strategies:
1. Drive growth in beef exports.
2. Grow consumer trust in beef production.
3. Develop and implement better business models to improve price discovery and value distribution across all segments.
4. Promote and capitalize on the multiple advantages of beef.
5. Improve the business and political climate for beef.
6. Safeguard and cultivate investment in beef industry research, marketing and innovation.

“We’ll measure the plan’s success by tracking key metrics for each Core Strategy,” Brackett said. “For example, one of the measures for the Core Strategy to ‘Drive growth in beef exports’ will be to grow the value of U.S. beef exports as a percent of total beef value to 21% by 2025. Additionally, there are a number of other goals to help measure success specific to the other core strategies.”

HOW THE BEEF INDUSTRY USES THE LONG RANGE PLAN
The Long Range Plan Task Force encourages other beef industry businesses and organizations to utilize the plan as input for their own strategic decision making processes. 

For example, the Beef Checkoff, its committees, and contracting organizations, use pieces of the Long Range Plan as their guidebook. All funding decisions and focus areas of Checkoff projects and programs, by design, must follow the key areas outlined in the plan that align with Checkoff budget categories: promotion, research, consumer information, industry information, producer communication and foreign marketing. To ensure this focus, each year Checkoff committees continue to renew their alignment by identifying key plan initiatives as their priorities based on current industry needs. Checkoff contractors take this direction and develop Checkoff-funded programs that fall within the scope of the Beef Promotion and Research Act and Order and support the plan’s priorities.

THE BEEF INDUSTRY LONG RANGE PLAN TASK FORCE
The task force convened several times over the past year and considered all aspects of the industry from production trends, economic factors, foreign markets, consumer trends, and the competitive climate. The group evaluated the previous five-year plan and determined, based on industry trends and insights, where the industry should maintain and/or shift focus over the next five years.

In addition to Brackett, other members of the task force are also individuals representing key beef industry segments and devoted to ensuring the beef industry’s long-term success:
    Dr. Keith Belk, Department Head Animal Science, Colorado State University (Fort Collins, CO)
    Andy Bishop, Fairfield Farms, (Cox’s Creek, KY)  
    Tim Brady, Director of Risk Management, Agri Beef Co. (Boise, ID)
    Donnell Brown, Owner/Manager, R.A. Brown Ranch (Throckmorton, TX)
    John Butler, CEO the Beef Marketing Group, feeder (Manhattan, KS)
    Paul Defoor, Co-CEO at Cactus Feeders, Inc., feeder (Amarillo, TX)
    Joe Goggins, Owner, Auctioneer and Field Rep, Public Auction Yards, (Billings, MT)
    Ken Griner, President, Usher Land & Timber, Inc., cow/calf and seedstock (Chiefland, FL)
    Mary Kraft, Owner/Operator, Quail Ridge Dairy (Fort Morgan, CO)
    Jon Lowe, Head of Global Commercial Development, Livestock, Zoetis (Parsippany, NJ)
    Dean Meyer, farmer/feeder (Rock Rapids, IA)
    William Rishel, Owner, Rishel Ranch, seedstock (Lincoln, NE)
    Suzy Strassburger, President, Strassburger Steaks, LLC, a specialty meat purveyor (Carlstadt, NJ)
    Jerry Wulf, Partner/Advisor, Wulf Cattle (Hancock, MN)

“After helping to develop our previous Long Range Plan, I was encouraged with how it was embraced by the entire industry,” said Brackett. “Over the past year, our task force researched and fashioned this new plan with just as much care, and we hope it will be received with even more enthusiasm.”

To view the complete Beef Industry Long Range Plan, a plan summary or get more information, visit BeefLongRangePlan.com.



NCBA's Annual Summer Business Meeting Commences

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association's (NCBA) Annual Summer Business Meeting began today in Denver, where more than 500 cattle producers, industry partners, and stakeholders gathered, both in-person and virtually, for policy development, education, and long-range planning.

“Summer Business Meeting is a perfect example of NCBA’s grassroots, member driven, policy-making process in action,” NCBA President Marty Smith said. “This event is about bringing producers together to learn, discuss, vote, and adopt policy positions for the next year. These are policies designed by and for America's cattle producers. I am proud to see that even with all of the challenges of 2020, we have had nearly 600 cattle producers join us in Denver.”

NCBA unveiled the Beef Industry’s Long Range Plan (LRP) during General Session, which includes industry priorities and the vision for promoting Beef, America’s premiere protein, over the next five years. Idaho rancher Kim Brackett and chair of the LRP Task Force, presented the new plan and NCBA’s Board of Directors will vote on the proposed plan at the Wednesday board meeting.

Summer Business Meeting will also feature important policy committee meetings like the Live Cattle Marketing Committee, which will consider several policies of importance to the industry.

“I’m honored and excited to be working with all our attendees and I want to thank everyone who has volunteered their time to make these next three days a success and engage in important conversations on the state of the beef industry,” Smith added.



Illinois Farmer Elected U.S. Grains Council Chairman During Virtual Summer Meeting

The delegates of the U.S. Grains Council (USGC) elected Jim Raben, a farmer from Illinois representing the Illinois Corn Marketing Board, as chairman of its Board of Directors at its 60th Annual Board of Delegates Meeting, held virtually on Tuesday.

“It’s always been my way to cultivate relationships because together we are stronger, our collective voices are heard more loudly, and we can work together to achieve our common goals,” Raben said in his incoming remarks.

“The Council works around the clock and around the globe to find and expand new pockets of demand for the products we offer. That’s why I’ve chosen for my theme Building Relationships, Building Trade.”

Raben has been working on his family farm since 1973, more recently with help from his two sons. He spent nine years on the Illinois Corn Marketing Board before joining the Council’s board in 2015 as an at-large member. Raben has also previously served as the Board liaison for various USGC Advisory Teams (A-Teams).

The delegates elected as secretary-treasurer Joshua Miller of the Indiana Corn Marketing Council. Additionally, Don Duval, Illinois Corn Marketing Board; Duane Aistrope, Iowa Corn Promotion Board; and Verity Ulibarri, United Sorghum Checkoff Program, were elected as at-large directors.

The full USGC Board of Directors is now as follows:
- Jim Raben, Illinois Corn Marketing Board - Chairman
- Chad Willis, Minnesota Corn Research and Promotion Council - Vice Chairman
- Joshua Miller, Indiana Corn Marketing Council - Secretary/Treasurer
- Duane Aistrope, Iowa Corn Promotion Board - At-Large Director
- Brent Boydston, Bayer Crop Science - At-Large Director
- Don Duvall, Illinois Corn Marketing Board - At-Large Director
- Greg Hibner, J.D. Heiskell Hawkeye Gold - Agribusiness Sector Director
- Wayne Humphreys, Iowa Corn Promotion Board - Corn Sector Director
- Jim Massey, United Sorghum Checkoff Program - Sorghum Sector Director
- Tadd Nicholson, Ohio Corn Marketing Program, State Checkoff Sector Director
- Rick Schwarck, Absolute Energy - Agribusiness-Ethanol and Co-Products Sector Director
- Mark Seastrand, North Dakota Barley Council - Barley Sector Director
- Verity Ulibarri, United Sorghum Checkoff Program - At-Large Director
- Ryan LeGrand, U.S. Grains Council - President and CEO

Outgoing Chairman Armstrong said in remarks to the delegates that the Council is fortunate to have many qualified individuals passionate about the agricultural industry in leadership positions at the Council.

“Our new chairman, the Board of Directors and the Board of Delegates provide excellent insight into the challenges and opportunities in the international trade arena,” Armstrong said.

The Council’s meeting continues Wednesday with Advisory Team meetings in the morning and a closing general session in the afternoon, featuring presentations by U.S.-China Business Council President Ambassador Craig Allen and former Assistant Trade Representative Sharon Bomer Lauritsen.

More from the meeting is available on social media, using the hashtag #grains20.



Additional Coronavirus Relief Critical to Farm Businesses

Yesterday, Senate leadership introduced the Health Economic Assistance Liability Protection and Schools (HEALS) Act.  The HEALS Act is the latest in response to the COVID-19 national emergency and would provide an additional $20 billion to the U.S. Department of Agriculture to help farmers and ranchers.

American Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall says, “We are grateful to Leader McConnell and Senate Leadership for placing a high priority on bringing relief to America’s farmers and ranchers throughout this crisis. The additional $20 billion for agriculture in the HEALS Act would come at a critical time as the impact of this pandemic continues to hit our farms and rural communities.

“America’s farmers and ranchers and the men and women who work alongside us have answered the call as an essential industry in keeping our nation’s food supply secure. Farmers and ranchers have faced difficult decisions and shown great ingenuity and perseverance to keep their farms running, all while being met with steep challenges as markets and supply chains rapidly react to unprecedented changes. We all depend on our nation’s farms and ranches hanging on through this crisis.

“We look forward to continuing our work with Congress and the Administration to protect the well-being of our critical workforce, our rural communities and our country through a secure food supply.”

Background:
-    The $20 billion has few restrictions and can be used “to prevent, prepare for, and respond to coronavirus by providing support for agricultural producers, growers, and processors impacted by coronavirus, including producers, growers, and processors of specialty crops, non-specialty crops, dairy, livestock and poultry, including livestock and poultry depopulated due to insufficient processing access and growers who produce livestock or poultry under a contract for another entity.”
-    The bill allocates an additional $457 million to USDA to address other issues, including $245 million to make up for lost user fees due to the decline in agriculture inspection services and $113 million in rural rental assistance to low-wage residents.
-    Senate leadership also introduced the Continuing Small Business Recovery and Paycheck Protection Program Act as part of the HEALS Act, which includes several of the technical changes to the Paycheck Protection Program supported by AFBF.



Growth Energy Rallies Behind Ernst’s Demand for Action on E15 Labeling

Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor applauded Senator Joni Ernst’s (R-Iowa) push to secure action on the administration’s prior commitment to streamline labeling and remove infrastructure barriers to the sale of E15, a fuel blend containing 15 percent ethanol. In a new letter to the to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the senator called on the agency to “act now to initiate a rulemaking process and follow through on this agreement to provide certainty to our Iowa farmers.”

“There’s no excuse for regulators to drag their feet on E15, especially at time when new markets for biofuels could provide an economic lifeline for communities hammered by COVID-19 and years of EPA demand destruction,” said Skor. “The president made a commitment to Senator Ernst and her colleagues, and we applaud her for holding the EPA accountable on that promise. Biofuel workers and American farmers expect action, as do motorists, who stand to benefit most from expanded access to the clean, affordable biofuel blends like E15, which continues to rise in popularity at more than 2,100 sites across the nation.”



RFA Launches Young Professionals Network

In order to meet the needs of an evolving workforce in the ethanol industry, the Renewable Fuels Association has launched the Young Professionals Network (YPN), a new program geared toward members of the ethanol industry and stakeholder industries who are 39 years old and younger. The YPN is a community of young leaders who have a common goal to develop their professional skills, grow their network in the renewable fuels industry, advance their respective businesses forward and support the national agenda of the U.S. ethanol industry.

The YPN is designed to bring together innovative and dedicated young professionals to build new relationships and work with one another to identify new opportunities that grow and strengthen the renewable fuels industry. In order to foster this new approach, the RFA YPN will host events year-round that focus on networking, leadership, improving operations, and finding new and innovative approaches to building the market for ethanol.

“As we visited plants across the country and hosted industry meetings, we’ve met many smart and innovative young people with a deep interest in renewable fuels,” said RFA President and CEO Geoff Cooper. “Our association wants to help the industry cultivate, develop, and retain the best and brightest young leaders in the business. Providing a forum for them to come together and collaborate on personal, professional and industry development will help them, their employers, and our industry succeed.”

Those who wish to learn more about the Young Professionals Network can go to EthanolRFA.org/YPN, where the application is available. A YPN membership is free for those who qualify and is open to both current and non-members of the RFA; applications are being accepted on a rolling basis. Members are required to participate in at least one YPN engagement per year to maintain their membership status. The YPN initiative is being led by RFA’s Manager of Member Relations, Jackie Pohlman.



High-Protein DDGS Provide High-Quality Pig Nutrition

With more ethanol in production and a greater ability to upcycle co-products into animal feed ingredients, companies are creating custom products and partnering with University of Illinois researchers to test for quality and digestibility.

In a recent study published in the Journal of Animal Science, Illinois researchers show a new high-protein distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) product from Marquis Energy has greater energy and protein digestibility than conventional DDGS.

"We've never seen a corn co-product with such a high energy concentration or amino acid digestibility," says Hans H. Stein, professor in the Department of Animal Sciences at Illinois and co-author on the study. "It's clearly a high-value product."

The product, branded ProCap DDGS, contains 48% crude protein, far higher than conventional de-oiled DDGS, which the research team evaluated at 31% in a nutrient analysis of each ingredient. ProCap DDGS also provided approximately 1,200 kcal per kilogram of metabolizable energy more than conventional DDGS, according to the analysis.

The study consisted of three experiments. In the first, the researchers evaluated the apparent and standardized ileal digestibility of crude protein and amino acids in three diets: ProCap DDGS, conventional de-oiled DDGS (also from Marquis Energy), and a nitrogen-free diet used to determine endogenous losses of amino acids and crude protein. Vitamins and minerals were added to each diet to meet or exceed dietary requirements. The researchers fed each diet to nine growing pigs for six days at three times the maintenance energy requirement.

On the fifth and sixth days, researchers collected ileal digesta and analyzed dry matter, crude protein, and amino acids. As suggested by their nutrient analysis of the raw products, the researchers found the ProCap DDGS contained more crude protein and amino acids than de-oiled DDGS, and the standardized ileal digestibility of nearly all amino acids was greater in ProCap DDGS.

The second experiment focused on energy digestibility. In this case, the researchers evaluated three diets: corn, corn + ProCap DDGS, and corn + de-oiled DDGS. Again, all diets were supplemented with vitamins and minerals as needed. The team fed each diet to 24 growing barrows for 13 days at 3.2 times the maintenance energy requirement. Researchers calculated digestible energy and metabolizable energy values for all diets by collecting feces and urine over a four-day period during the experiment.

"If you look at the energy, which is of very high value for producers, and you compare with corn, we had much greater energy concentration in the ProCap DDGS, whereas conventional DDGS was lower than corn," Stein says.

The third experiment evaluated phosphorous digestibility. Researchers fed 32 barrows ProCap DDGS and de-oiled DDGS with or without microbial phytase. The pigs consumed these diets, along with supplemental vitamins and minerals (except phosphorus and calcium), for 13 days. Researchers collected feces from day six to day 12, and found that phytase + ProCap DDGS increased the digestibility of phosphorus. However, without phytase, phosphorus digestibility of ProCap DDGS was lower than de-oiled DDGS.

The three experiments confirm ProCap DDGS has greater amino acid digestibility and contains more metabolizable energy than de-oiled DDGS, but has reduced phosphorus digestibility.

"The ethanol industry is clearly moving toward trying to separate the different streams that come out after fermentation so they can identify high-value, high-quality products. I think we'll see even more innovation and new feed ingredients in the future thanks to more advanced technologies in ethanol plants," Stein says.

The article, "A new source of high-protein distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) has greater digestibility of amino acids and energy, but less digestibility of phosphorus, than de-oiled DDGS when fed to growing pigs," is published in the Journal of Animal Science. Authors include Minoy Cristobal, Jessica Acosta, Su A Lee, and Hans H. Stein. The research was supported by Marquis Energy, Hennepin, Ill. The Department of Animal Sciences is in the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences at the University of Illinois.