A Chinese study team of 24 selected swine and feed producers from all over China took a swine intensive training course at South Dakota State University (SDSU) from May 31 to June 8. The team was escorted by USSEC staff and consultants: Dr. Richard Han, Dr. Sam Shi, Sunny Zhang and Dr. Robert Thaler. All team members were able to learn U.S. advanced swine production management, nutrition requirement, barn design and ventilation system, meat quality science, manure treatment and environment control, disease prevention, and the control and merits of U.S. soybean products in pig feeds in improving China’s pig productivity in order to increase the demand of U.S. soybean products in China’s animal feed.
During the study period, the team also visited the soybean farms of Marc Reiner and Matt Bainbridge as well as the Oak Lane Hutterite Colony to personally see and learn about the U.S. sustainable soybean production system. The delegation especially valued a chance to better understand GMO soybeans. Grower leaders from South Dakota, Minnesota, Nebraska, the Iowa Soybean Board and the Iowa Soybean Association all met with the Chinese team. The team also participated in the World Pork Expo in Des Moines on June 8 on the last day of their trip.