MANHATTAN, KANSAS, U.S. – With the goal to improve the poultry nutrition in Latin America, Kansas State University (KSU) in partnership with the U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC) hosted the Regional Animal Production course (RAPCO) poultry nutrition course. The course was held May 28-31 and gathered 35 participants from 10 different countries.

“USSEC is one of the IGP Institute’s key partners in providing technical education regarding current trends in science and technology to international buyers of U.S. soy,” said Carlos Campabadal, IGP Institute feed manufacturing and grain quality management outreach specialist. “The USSEC RAPCO poultry nutrition course is a perfect example, where the participants learn the latest technical information to improve their company’s performance in poultry production.”

Topics discussed during the course were based on the effects of feed processing in poultry nutrition; breeder nutrition and management; growth promoting antibiotics; problem solving within nutrition management and more. Participants also engaged in a tour of the O.H. Kruse Feed Technology Innovation Center where they experienced operations first hand.

“This exchange of information helps us reinforce our position regarding why we use a certain type of product,” said Jose Osorio, animal nutritionist at Coopagro – Micro Feed from Panama. “They even gave us information regarding our own weather conditions and how it affects the poultry product, so we are able to do our jobs more efficiently.”

In addition to the RAPCO course, a one-day poultry and animal nutrition working group meeting was held as part of the poultry nutrition training.

“We had the opportunity to host USSEC’s Animal Nutrition Working Group meeting with the addition of technical speakers that presented topics that enhance the benefits of utilizing U.S. soy in animal diets to increase performance,” Campabadal said.

Topics discussed were based on growth promoting antibiotics, common issues and current research in the industry, the use of NIR in feed manufacturing and the utilization of soy in pet food.