Grainnet

The U.S. Grains Council 2009 Corn Mission to Morocco, Egypt and Jordan is currently underway as participants visited a modern feedlot in Morocco, which was started with assistance by the Council.

USGC Consultant Mustapha El Youssoufi provided the group with an overview of the work done with the ruminant sector in Morocco and acted as interpreter with the Ammar Feedlot owner.

The traditional feedlot model included tethering animals in small covered stalls.

Due to trials run with Council assistance, owners like Ammar have found open area feedlots less labor intensive, and the animals have become more productive.

The Council is now working with private feedlot owners and cooperatives on animal rations to show the value of concentrated feeds like corn, distiller’s dried grains with solubles and corn gluten.

The group found the poultry industry in Morocco has really helped drive grain consumption and imports, aided by recent duty reductions.

They will meet with representatives of the poultry industry before leaving Morocco and traveling to Egypt.

In addition, the team is meeting with Abdelali Aziz, general director of the Moroccan government’s Office of Cereals.

The discussion will focus on the status of corn imports into Morocco, including origins, quantities and quality standards.

The team will meet with Ahmed Bentouhami, director of the Livestock Service of Morocco’s Ministry of Agriculture, on the Moroccan Government’s "green plan" for agriculture and the impact of Council’s programs on the poultry and beef sectors.

The mission participants are Council delegates William Crossman, Virginia Corn Board; Jim Stuever, Missouri Corn Merchandising Council; Bob Timmons, Kansas Corn Commission; Darren Armstrong, Corn Growers Association of North Carolina Inc.; Jerry Griffith, Kentucky Corn Promotion Council; and Joe Zenz, Wisconsin Corn Promotion Board Inc.

Chuck Zimmerman, of ZimmComm New Media LLC, is also with the group.

USGC Director of Membership Shannon Schaffer is escorting the team. Click here for audio.

For more information, call 202-789-0789.

See Related Websites/Articles:

• U.S. Grains Council

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