Ethanol Byproducts Topic of Workshop

The upcoming National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) workshop on distillers dried grains and solubles (DDGS) will focus on managing an issue that affects two major customers of the nation's corn growers: ethanol producers and the livestock industry.

"With the demand for ethanol set to triple by 2003, the question is where the co-products, such as distillers grains, will go," explained John Tibbits, NCGA Corn Board member and a farmer from Minneapolis, Kan. "This workshop is meant to set the stage for that discussion and open up opportunities for better understanding of the use of distillers grains. "

He added that the meeting, Nov. 7-9, at the Cornhusker Hotel in Lincoln, NE, is using grower checkoff funds to provide a unique tool to move DDGS from a commodity to higher value level. NCGA, the Nebraska Corn Development Utilization and Marketing Board and the Nebraska Corn Growers Association are hosting the meeting.

"This three-day workshop is an opportunity for feed consultants, DDGS marketers and top animal nutritionists to discuss the successful use of distillers grains in feed rations, as well as logistics and transportation experts," said Tibbits. "DDGS are commonly thought to be reserved for feedlots, but there is room to grow the market for DDGS in rations for dairy, poultry and swine. This workshop will provide a great opportunity to discuss feeding DDGS for best gain and profitability."

The agenda for the first day features four researchers discussing the use of DDGS in livestock nutrition. The second day offers a full-day tour of a dry grind ethanol plant, a 9,000-head feedlot and a dairy operation that feeds distillers grains. The third day sessions discuss issues of transportation, livestock populations and the sale of DDGS.

For further information or to register for the conference, contact Sandra Wright or Tracy Snider at NCGA (314) 275-9915. Registration information is also available at the NCGA website, www.ncga.com/research/odg/index.htm.