For those in the business of feeding the growing population, it is no secret that by 2050 there will be an additional two billion people sitting down to dinner every night.1
Compounding the challenge is that the majority of the population growth is occurring in emerging markets where a soaring middle class is fuelling unprecedented demand for protein.2
This will require not only more U.S. Soy, but also significant improvements to the entire protein value chain – representing one of the greatest food production and educational challenges in human history.
Surging demand for protein will require a mastery of how to transform soy harvests into the life-giving nutrition the world craves. Introducing Soy Excellence Centers (SEC), building the skills of early career protein professionals, the ‘Tomorrow Solvers’. SEC aims to help the next generation of protein professionals feed the world safely and sustainably.
SEC has assembled a network of educational centers, including the Soy Excellence Center Asia (SEC Asia). Every day around the world, distinguished instructors, armed with a curated curriculum, guide early career protein professionals on five subject areas: poultry, pork, aquaculture, feed and food.
Best of all, this purpose-driven content is produced and taught by the brightest minds in agriculture. Meanwhile researchers from the top agricultural universities in the US and around the world provide research, vet the curriculum, consult with in-field instructors and often lead workshops.
SECs also cultivate a powerful digital community where shared experiences are leading to shared ideas for a better tomorrow. The online classes are thoughtfully designed to allow participants to advance at their own pace, while also forging lasting relationships with their peers and international experts.
SECs are creating more protein experts, more protein production capacity and more long-term demand for soy.
SEC program participants, Teoh Huey Lee and Chan Lee Chen, provide a window into their experience at the SEC training program.
Elevating animal feed quality at Malaysian feed mill
At FFM Pulau Indah Malaysia, Teoh Huey Lee ensures the quality and consistency of over 10 specialized animal feed varieties tailored for poultry and ruminants like beef and goats.
FFM Pulau Indah Malaysia is part of the FFM Group, a key player in the Malaysian wheat flour industry, with mills in Vietnam, Thailand and China. Beyond flour, FFM Group has diversified into animal feed, packaging, consumer products, poultry, food processing, frozen foods, industrial bakery and commodities trading, including the bakery brand 'Massimo' operated by The Italian Baker Sdn. Bhd.
Huey Lee's engineering background instilled in her a passion for creative problem-solving, an essential skill in diagnosing and resolving feed production challenges in her role as a Feed Production Specialist. One of her notable contributions was sharing successful examples of introducing a fat coater to enhance the feed conditioning process and overall feed durability.
Huey Lee’s team supported with implementation of the idea and installed necessary piping which helped to overcome spatial limitations within the mill and improve production efficiency and feed quality.
Huey Lee’s engagement with the SEC Asia expanded her theoretical and practical knowledge of feed milling. It provided her with a step-by-step guide to troubleshooting feed production issues, refining the conditioning process and enhancing overall feed performance – crucial factors affecting animal performance for farmers.
“The mentorship and guidance I received from the Soy Excellence Center Asia instructors have been invaluable. It has helped me to develop solutions aimed at enhancing feed production processes at our mill,” says Huey Lee.
“With this experience, I've gained a deeper understanding of feed safety protocols. I am better equipped to communicate these standards effectively to my team, making operations smoother and more productive."
With her newly acquired skills, Huey Lee is enhancing production practices in the feed industry, aiming to deliver superior animal performance and positively impact the livelihoods of farmers.
Pioneering progress in animal feed, aided by SEC Asia
At Farmsfield Sdn. Bhd., Chan Lee Chen plays a crucial role as the Technical Manager, ensuring optimal animal nutrition through innovative feed formulations. Located in Johor, Malaysia, Farmsfield has been manufacturing high-quality animal feed premixes since 2002.
Over the past year, Lee Chen has significantly advanced her technical knowledge and skills through multiple courses at the SEC Asia – including the basic swine, feed milling and poultry courses.
These courses broadened her understanding of the entire feed production process, from ingredient quality to the final product. She learned the importance of every step in the feed mill, such as proper storage conditions, grinding techniques and pelleting.
This comprehensive knowledge enabled her to address challenges in animal health and performance that impact nutrition more effectively. One notable example is her improved management of piglet health.
Informed by her SEC Asia training, Lee Chen analyzed factors such as nutritional stress, environmental conditions and social stress, leading to tangible improvements in animal health and farm productivity.
Lee Chen aims to continue leveraging her SEC Asia learnings to enhance feed production processes, improve animal performance and contribute positively to the food value chain. Her passion for food safety and sustainability in feed production drives her to ensure the best nutrition possible for animals.
Talking about the program, Lee Chen says: "The Soy Excellence Center Asia has provided me with valuable knowledge and skills that have transformed my approach to animal feed production. I am committed to continuous learning and consistently strive for better outcomes in the industry.”
Lee Chen’s dedication to ongoing improvement and professional development, as well as her proactive problem-solving approach makes her a true trailblazer in the field.
Guided by the brightest minds in agriculture, SECs are ‘Building the skills of early protein professionals, our ‘Tomorrow Solvers’, with professionals like Huey Lee and Lee Chen adding to the protein value chain.
Find out more here to drive innovation and meet the growing demand for nutritious, affordable protein.
References
1. United Nations. Population.
2. Food Industry Asia (FIA) / AlphaBeta. The Future of Proteins in Asia.