News Update

News Update
May 30, 2008

Record $108.5B in Ag Exports Forecast for 2008

U.S. Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer today announced an updated quarterly forecast for U.S. agricultural exports — expected to reach a record $108.5 billion for fiscal year (FY) 2008. Today's upward revision is a $7.5 billion increase from February's previous record forecast and $26.5 billion above the final 2007 exports.

Grains and animal products account for two-thirds of the export gains. “America's increased export volume in bulk commodities like corn, other animal feeds and soybeans make agriculture the bright spot in the overall balance of trade,” Schafer said. “U.S. producers are on track to export a record 63 million tons of corn, and set new export volume and value records for pork. Export volumes and values are also up for many horticultural products with sales growth to Canada and the European Union being exceptionally strong.”

Asia continues to be an important growth market for U.S. agricultural commodities. U.S. exports to China are forecast to reach a record $10.5 billion, up almost $3.4 billion from 2007 levels. Canada and Mexico remain the United States’ top two markets worldwide with exports forecast to reach $30.5 billion in 2008 — some $5 billion above 2007.

“Trade agreements have a significant impact on our ability to sell America’s agricultural products in world markets,” said Schafer. “Canada and Mexico, our two North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) partners, currently buy 28% of the value of America’s agricultural exports — up from 20% purchased 15 years ago when trade began under NAFTA.

While agricultural imports in two-way trade with the United States will also increase — to a record $78.5 billion forecast by USDA — the $108.5 billion in export sales by American farmers and ranchers will net a positive agricultural trade surplus of $30 billion for the United States. USDA’s Economic Research Service (ERS), Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) and World Agricultural Outlook Board release agricultural trade forecasts quarterly.

The summary and full report of USDA’s “Outlook for U.S. Agricultural Trade” may be accessed from the ERS web site at www.ers.usda.gov or the FAS web site at www.fas.usda.gov. The next quarterly report will be issued at the end of August 2008.

— Release provided by USDA.

Southern National Angus Show Nears

The 2008 Southern National Angus Show is set for June 5-7 in Perry at the Georgia National Fairgrounds. More than 125 head of cattle are entered in the show, with nearly 60 exhibitors from five states.

The Holiday Inn in Perry will serve as the host hotel for the Southern National Angus Show; rooms are still available in the GAA block rate for $70. Call 478-987-3313 to reserve a room.

A silent auction will take place at the event, and the Georgia Junior Angus Association (GJAA) will conduct its meeting and 2009 National Junior Angus Show (NJAS) planning meeting Thursday, June 5 at 5 p.m.

For more information visit www.georgiaangus.org.

— Provided by the Georgia Angus Association.

Ronnie Green Joins Pfizer Animal Genetics

Ronnie Green, a respected and noted expert in cattle genetics and genomics, has joined Pfizer Animal Genetics as senior director of global technical services. In his new position Green will lead operations relating to technical support of the entire product portfolio and will work with key stakeholders to develop novel, customer-focused solutions based on cutting-edge genomic technologies.

Most recently, Green worked as the national program leader for food animal production with the USDA. Green also served as a professor and researcher in Animal Science at Colorado State and Texas Tech Universities.

— Adapted from a release provided by Pfizer Animal Health.

King Ranch Institute, Texas AgFinance Partner Create Certificate Program

Thanks to a generous gift from Texas AgFinance, the King Ranch Institute for Ranch Management at Texas A&M University-Kingsville will broaden the educational services it offers. With a $1 million commitment, the institute will initiate the Texas AgFinance Certificate in Advanced Ranch Management aimed at ranchers and landowners who want to expand their skills to keep up with the ever-changing ranching industry.

“The ranch manager and landowner of the 21st century manages a myriad of resources and business interests including energy, recreation, pollution mitigation, water, consumptive and non-consumptive wildlife management and food production,” said Barry Dunn, executive director of the King Ranch Institute for Ranch Management.

“Dealing with this complexity requires these individuals to have an exceptional set of managerial skills. The new certificate program will provide an organized method for ranchers and other interested parties to acquire these skills,” he added. “Upon completion of the program, participants will return with knowledge and skills that will enhance the management and stewardship of land resources across our nation and the world, and potentially, other large landscapes like state and federal lands.”

“The King Ranch Institute for Ranch Management awards the only master of science degree of its kind in the world, making it a unique entity in higher education. This new certificate program singles them out again as they work hand-in hand with Texas AgFinance to continue the education of working ranchers,” said Dr. Rumaldo Z. Juárez, university president. “We thank Texas AgFinance for the opportunity to assist ranchers to keep up with many changes facing the industry today.”

The target audience for the new certificate program will not only be ranchers and landowners, but also others actively engaged in ranch management, loan officers from banking interests, accountants, attorneys, appraisers of agricultural land, extension educators, university faculty and teachers of ranch and farm management courses from high schools and colleges.

By involving loan officers and land owners, Dunn said, the program will be able to provide those constituents with a greater understanding of the nuances involved in successful ranching and has the potential to create a more meaningful partnership between lenders and land owners and managers.

In order to earn the Texas AgFinance Certificate in Advanced Ranch Management, a participant will be required to complete four lectureships sponsored by the institute and participate in two of the annual HOLT/CAT Symposia on Excellence in Ranch Management. All this must be done during the course of three years.

Some of the current and proposed lectureship topics include using managerial accounting in ranching, valuation and economic benefits of water, wildlife and other natural resources, the oil and gas industry and ranching, human resource management, a systems approach to ranch management, habitat management, current ranching issues, meat science and production and equine management for ranch managers.

For more information about the Texas AgFinance Certificate in Advanced Ranch Management, call the King Ranch Institute for Ranch Management at 361-593-5401 or visit their web site at krirm.tamuk.edu.

For more information about Texas AgFinance, visit their web site at texasagfinance.com.