Matt Fitzthum, an international merchandiser for Council member CHS Inc., joined the workshops to provide up-to-date information on supply and demand, options in transportation and pricing of DDGS.

Japanese consumption of distiller's dried grains with solubles (DDGS) has been steadily increasing over the last several years, from 2,500 metric tons in 2005 to 270,000 tons in 2009, with Japan’s poultry sector showing the most significant growth.

Recognizing this growing market, the US Grains Council last week organized DDGS workshops in Kagoshima and Tokyo for Japanese poultry producers, feed millers, traders and government officials.

Matt Fitzthum, an international merchandiser for Council member CHS Inc., joined the workshops to provide up-to-date information on supply and demand, options in transportation and pricing of DDGS.

More than 50 participants took part in active discussions regarding recent feeding trials with layers and broilers, and confirmed the significant merits of DDGS improving performance in feed efficiency, quality of meat and color of the egg yolk.

Acknowledging economical benefits of rationing DDGS in the compound feed for poultry, workshop speakers Dr Nobuhiro Kimura and Mr Chisato Yonemochi presented results from a recent feeding trial, held in Gunma prefectural, showing no difference in productivity with feeding DDGS in boiler diets.