Turkish DDGS Customers Attend Council’s Technical Seminar

As a follow-up to technical promotion programs held for distiller's dried grains with solubles (DDGS) end-users in Türkiye earlier this year, the U.S. Grains & BioProducts Council's (USGBC's) regional office for Europe, the Middle East and Africa hosted three half-day seminars addressing customer concerns around the inclusion of DDGS in poultry and ruminant diets.

USGBC Deputy Regional Director for Europe and the Middle East Ana Ballesteros, USGBC Regional Nutrition Consultant Alaa Badr and USGBC Consultant for Türkiye Ibrahim Sirtiouglu represented the Council during the sessions.

"As major players in the global poultry and livestock industries, Turkish producers generate significant annual demand for feed inputs, but concerns over mycotoxins and DDGS handling and storage can be barriers to higher inclusion rates, and therefore, higher demand," Ballesteros said.

The seminars were held in three cities across the country, Bolu, Bursa and Izmir, attracting a total of 55 participants and 26 companies across the three locations, targeting a wide range of poultry and cattle feed producers. Each visit drew representatives from leading local companies, including nutrition, production and procurement-focused staff, to learn more about the qualities of U.S. DDGS.

The half-day seminars used a hybrid format combining in-person presentations with recorded presentations and live virtual Q&A sessions led by two U.S.-based experts. Dr. Scott Tilton of The Andersons addressed mycotoxins and antibiotic residues facts and myths, while Iowa State University Professor and Director of the International Grain & Feed Industry Academy Dr. Dirk Maier covered DDGS handling and storage practices.

Their recorded presentations were shown at each seminar, and both experts joined virtually to answer participants' questions. These sessions complemented the in-person presentations delivered by Ballesteros and Badr.

"Increasing customer understanding and confidence in U.S. DDGS, as well as implementing improved handling practices, are key to expanding exports to Türkiye," Ballesteros said.

"Providing these specialized trainings centered around conditions common in Türkiye facilitates optimal care to preserve input quality and increases customers' confidence and satisfaction with U.S. DDGS."

Learn more about the Council's work in Türkiye on the organization's website.