The Council's latest team of Taiwanese swine producers is no exception to this ideology. The team of 13 individuals attended the World Pork Expo in Des Moines, Iowa, last week and met with swine industry experts this week.

Iowa State University faculty put on a three-day short course for the team, offering sessions on updated production and management technologies of swine production, including disease management and prevention practices, biosecurity systems and pork quality assurance programs.

"Now we know the ethanol plants in the United States are using good quality corn as the raw materials for producing ethanol and DDGS (distiller's dried grains with solubles). Meanwhile, mycotoxin is not a concern of US corn and US DDGS," said Mr. Shih-Tsung Kuo, president of Shin Mao Hog Farm, and team participant.

Clover Chang, USGC director in Taiwan, who accompanied the group said, "The latest developments in technology and services are eye-openers to the team members. The knowledge and valuable techniques gained this week will allow them to increase efficiency and production on their own enterprises, ultimately increasing the demand for US feed grains."

The team met with Council members Iowa Corn Growers Association, Iowa Corn Promotion Board, Iowa Department of Economic Development and wrapped up their travels touring one of Hawkeye Gold LLC's ethanol production facilities, Hawkeye Energy Holdings. Ryan LeGrand, Hawkeye Gold LLC export marketing manager, who met with the group said, "The participants were able to see a consistent, quality distiller's grains product. We hope they will go to their local feedmill that is importing US feed grains and request products from Hawkeye Gold."

Mr Chang said, "The team members will bring some useful ideas back home for improving their existing businesses and thus help maintain a healthy growth of the Taiwanese swine industry, which consumes about 45 per cent of about 180 million bushels of imported grains annually."