USSEC consultants Carlos Campabadal, Alberto Celis and Miguel Escobar conducted the Regional Animal Production Course (RAPCO) for poultry production at Kansas State University.  Course participants included poultry producers; veterinarians; university professors; private consultants; and animal scientists working in poultry operations or as poultry production consultants for a number of poultry farms in their respective countries.  A total of 30 technicians from 11 different Latin American countries attended this course.
The course’s teaching staff consisted of leading experts from various American universities and from the private industry.  The program focused on raising the production of meat and eggs by emphasizing poultry nutrition; management areas; and how to achieve better broiler and breeder performances; as well as the use of soybean products in broiler, laying hen and breeder feeding programs.  USSEC consultants discussed the differences in nutritional value between U.S. and South American soybean meal, the world soybean situation and the negative effects associated with using poorly processed soybean meal.  The use of digestible amino acids; ideal protein concepts; nutrient requirements for minerals and vitamins; the effect of processing on poultry performance; the use of feed additives in poultry diets; and the interrelationship between nutrition, immunity and stress were among additional topics presented to the students.
Student discussions were interactive, resulting in an excellent opportunity to share experiences and increase the knowledge of all participants.  USSEC achieved its objective of supporting a better production standard for poultry producers in Latin America in order to increase the consumption of U.S. soybean products in the region.