Mr Beltranena is the leading researcher for a collaborative study, sponsored partly by the US Grains Council, which is currently in the second phase of determining the impact on growth performance and pork quality with the inclusion of high levels of DDGS in the diet.

Though the project is not complete, he reported "no concern whatsoever" in the growth performance of the pigs when fed 30 per cent DDGS. "Growth performance during the trial was excellent. Feed cost at the time this trial ran was so high that 100 grams more feed per pound gained represented $2.40 extra feed cost per hog marketed," he said.

While pork producers are concerned with cutting feed costs, which account for 70 per cent of the overall cost of production, the processors maintain a strong focus on the quality of the meat. The researchers determined the duration of the dietary inclusion level of DDGS prior to market weight to avoid undesirable effects on pork and fat quality.

Mr Beltranena said these withdrawal rates are imperative to the producer and processor in order to maintain the quality of product the consumer demands. "Our results showed that feeding 30 per cent corn DDGS and implementing a withdrawal strategy did not affect neither hog growth performance, feed cost per hog, income over feed cost nor cost per pound gained.

However, the rate of withdrawal of corn DDGS out of the finishing diets improved carcass dressing per cent and estimated carcass pork yield," he said. The study, now in its final stage, will assist the Council in broadening the market for the abundant co-product of US ethanol production.

Canada has consistently been the second-largest market for US DDGS at 771,797 metric tons in 2008, a 142 per cent increase from 2007. As of 28 February 2009, 206,817 metric tons of US DDGS have been exported to Canada.