News Update

News Update
April 10, 2006

Beef Exports Forecasted to Increase

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today raised its 2006 beef export forecast to 1.05 billion pounds (lb.), up 145 million lb. from its March prediction, according to a Dow Jones Newswire article posted on cattlenetwork.com.

Although Japan and South Korea remain closed to U.S. beef exports, sales to Mexico and Canada are higher than previously expected, the Dow Jones article explained.

Training Available for Animal ID Number Managers

The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) will hold additional training seminars, via Web conference, for producers and other stakeholders who intend to distribute animal identification (ID) number (AIN) tags as part of the National Animal Identification System (NAIS).

Participants will learn about the administration of AIN tags and view a demonstration of the AIN Management System, the Web-based system for distributing and administering AINs used in the NAIS. Seminars are scheduled for Thursday, April 13, and Wednesday, April 26.

An announcement of the training seminars was published Friday in the Federal Register. For more information, including how to participate, visit http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/E6-5085.htm. To view the updated NAIS implementation plan, visit http://animalid.aphis.usda.gov/nais/downloads/print/NAIS_Implementation_Plan_April_2006.pdf.

— compiled by Meghan Soderstrom, assistant editor, Angus Productions Inc.