Teams Up with Farm Rescue to Deliver More Than 400 Tons of DDG to Nebraska Farmers
ATCHISON, KAN., (May 8, 2019) – Ray Brown, distillery operations manager for MGP Ingredients in Atchison, was greatly affected this spring by the stark images and stories from flood-stricken farming communities across the Midwest. Immediately, he recognized that the company where he’s worked for 40 years could help its neighbors in the region by providing DDG to cattle producers whose hay and grain supplies were damaged or destroyed.
Commonly referred to as DDG, dried distillers grains are a byproduct of the alcohol distillation process. Spent corn, rye, or wheat is dried for use as a high-protein, high-energy supplemental ration in cattle feed. MGP produces DDG in its role as a leading supplier of premium distilled spirits at its distilleries in Atchison and Lawrenceburg, Indiana.
“It was disheartening to see the horrible damage from the floods,” Brown said. “But I also saw so many positive stories about people and organizations stepping in to help and knew that MGP tries to assist when the unexpected threatens quality of life for our neighbors.”
Brown championed his idea to MGP President and CEO Gus Griffin, who supported a collaboration with Farm Rescue, a nonprofit that provides practical assistance to help farmers and ranchers navigate crises such as natural disasters.
As part of his outreach, Brown connected with a farmer near Duncan, Nebraska, who helped coordinate with recipients of MGP’s donation on behalf of Farm Rescue. “His descriptions of the land devastation are heart- wrenching, not to mention the loss of livestock, feed stock, property,” Brown recalls. “He said there are areas where the farm ground and roads are now unrecognizable and appear to be wet deserts given all of the sand that is covering the ground, sometimes up to six feet.”
Beginning in early April, trucks working with Farm Rescue arrived at MGP’s Atchison facility for regular pickups of DDG. Through May 3, the company has shipped 406 tons of DDG to Nebraska.
“Helping those in need in our local and regional communities is an important part of the MGP culture,” said CEO Griffin. “Our DDG shipments to Nebraska honored this commitment while helping the farming community that makes our business possible.”
For Brown, the DDG donations were a natural way to connect people in need with the company and work that makes him proud. “We put heart into every product that we make, just like the farmers who consistently produce high-quality grains regardless of obstacles like flooding. Donating DDG seems like a natural way to show the respect and appreciation they deserve.”
For more on MGP’s community involvement: https://www.mgpingredients.com/about-mgp/our-company/social-responsibility.html
About MGP
Founded in 1941, MGP (Nasdaq: MGPI) is a leading supplier of premium distilled spirits and specialty wheat proteins and starches. Distilled spirits include bourbon and rye whiskeys, gins and vodkas, which are carefully crafted through a combination of art and science backed by decades of experience. The company's proteins and starches are created in the same manner and provide a host of functional, nutritional and sensory benefits for a wide range of food products. MGP additionally is a top producer of high quality industrial alcohol for use in both food and non-food applications. The company is headquartered in Atchison, Kansas, where distilled alcohol products and food ingredients are produced. Premium spirits are also distilled and matured at the company’s facility in Lawrenceburg, Indiana. For more information, visit mgpingredients.com.