Press Release

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. - A recent South Dakota farmer delegation, sponsored by the SD Soybean Checkoff, kicked off a multi-day agricultural See For Yourself trade mission in Mexico with an immersive visit to some of the country’s most significant agribusiness operations. The tour, focused on deepening U.S.-Mexico agricultural ties and showcasing the value of U.S. soy, highlighted key stops across the value chain - from livestock integration to soybean oil refining.

Derrick Scott, District 2 Director of the South Dakota Soybean Checkoff and a farmer from Geddes, SD, participated in the Mexico trade mission, gaining firsthand insight into the international demand for U.S. soy. “Our visit to Mexico provided a valuable firsthand look at the full agricultural supply chain, from production to processing, highlighting innovation, efficiency, and cultural insight at every stop,” Scott shared. He emphasized the value of connecting South Dakota farmers with the global marketplace.

Day 1: Vertical Integration at Its Best – Proan Group
The mission began at Proan, one of Mexico’s leading vertically integrated livestock operations. Proan oversees every step of the animal production process - from feed formulation to meat processing - ensuring consistent quality and efficiency.

Under Proan’s umbrella is Huevos San Juan, a powerhouse in poultry production, hatching a staggering 45 million chicks annually. The delegation also toured Proan’s pork processing plant, which handles an impressive 3,500 pigs per day.

The day concluded with a visit to Paisa, a soy product manufacturing facility, where participants viewed operations that link directly to U.S. soybean exports. The team also toured a state-of-the-art feed mill, integral to the operation’s feed-to-fork approach.

Day 2: Bunge – Grain Flow and Innovation
On the second day, the group visited Bunge, formerly known as Viterra. As a major grain hub, the site functions as a reverse elevator — receiving U.S. grain by rail and redistributing it by truck throughout Mexico. With a storage capacity of 4,500 tons per warehouse and space for 120 rail cars, Bunge is a key partner in U.S.-Mexico commodity flow.

A highlight of the visit included seeing U.S. yellow corn transformed into corn flakes via on-site flaking — a technique that enhances digestibility and nutrition for dairy feed.

Day 3: Oleofinos – A Soy Oil Powerhouse
The tour’s final stop was Oleofinos, a leading soy oil refinery. The facility annually imports 750 rail cars of U.S. soybean oil, equivalent to over 12.9 million bushels of soybeans. This critical connection underscores the ongoing demand for high-quality U.S. soybean products and the importance of maintaining robust trade relations.

Participants included Diane Anderson of Hayti, Josh Goehring of Delmont, Wes Jepsen of Flandreau, Mike Miller of Freeman, Mary Piotter of Sisseton, Dusty Schley of Stratford, Derrick Scott of Geddes, Stephanie Sauder of Bryant, and Mike Zirbel of Ortley.