U.S. Grains & BioProducts Council Regional Trade Manager Caleb Floss led a delegation of New Zealand and Thailand pork industry stakeholders on a tour of American facilities earlier this month.
The group attended World Pork Expo in Iowa and visited corn and corn co-product producers throughout the supply chain.
“The pork sector in New Zealand is adapting to new regulatory and operational pressures, and this delegation was interested in gaining direct exposure to U.S. pork production systems, technologies and management practices that may help inform their adaptations,” Floss said.
The delegation first visited a POET ethanol facility in Jewell. POET, a USGBC member and the world’s largest ethanol producer, gave attendees a firsthand look at large-scale production of corn co-products like distiller’s dried grains with solubles.
The team then traveled to Iowa State University for a short course on feed grains’ impact on meat quality and the economic effects of incorporating DDGS into swine diets.
The next day, the group toured a farm and swine operation to observe production practices and feeding strategies. They also visited a pork processing facility.
The program concluded with two days at World Pork Expo 2026, where participants met industry leaders, including Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig.
“The positive experiences had by attendees here creates opportunities to further deepen engagement with decision makers in New Zealand pork’s industry,” Floss said.
