News Update
June 14, 2010

April Beef Export Value Well Above 2009 Levels

While economic conditions remain difficult for U.S. beef in Mexico, exports are thriving in all other key global markets. For the year, Mexico remains the No. 1 market in terms of both volume (77,027 metric tons or 169.8 million pounds (lb.) and value ($246.9 million) but these totals are down by 25% and 27%, respectively, compared to the first four months of 2009.

Despite dramatic gains in many overseas markets, Canada remains the No. 2 destination for U.S. beef. Beef/beef variety meat exports to Canada are up 13% in volume (45,563 metric tons or 100.5 million lb.) and 17% in value ($199.4 million) compared to January-April 2009. In fact, April export value to Canada ($59.9 million) pulled within just 4% of Mexico ($62.2 million).

U.S. beef exports to Asia continued to grow at a torrid pace in April. Japan is the leading Asian market in 2010 in terms of both volume (26,740 metric tons or 58.9 million lb.) and value ($141.8 million). Each of these totals represents an increase of 34% more than January-April 2009 figures. South Korea is right on Japan’s heels, with a volume of 26,321 metric tons (58 million lb.) valued at $112.3 million — increases of 39% and 58%, respectively, over last year.

The ASEAN region also performed very well in April, pushing its totals for the year up by 14% in volume (29,589 metric tons or 65.2 million lb.) and 16% in value ($97.9 million). Interestingly, this increase was achieved despite fairly flat results in Vietnam — by far the largest ASEAN market. The primary growth drivers were the Philippines and Indonesia, the No. 2 and No. 3 markets in the region.

Taiwan appears to have shaken off any lingering controversy over the recent reintroduction of U.S. bone-in beef, and may be headed for another record performance in 2010. Exports to Taiwan were up 69% in volume (11,533 metric tons or 25.4 million lb.) and 79% in value ($60 million).

Hong Kong has also achieved rapid growth this year, nearly tripling its imports of U.S. beef in terms of both volume (9,099 metric tons or 20.1 million lb.) and value ($35.6 million).

“The growth our beef industry is achieving in Asia right now is extremely encouraging,” says Jim Peterson, a rancher from Buffalo Mont., and chair of the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) that contracts to manage the beef checkoff’s foreign marketing efforts. “Despite the market access limitations we still face in several of these markets, their appetite for U.S. beef is clearly on the rise. As a cattleman, it’s really gratifying to see our exports to Asia gaining so much momentum.”

Impressive growth numbers are not limited to Asia, however. Exports to the Middle East continued their strong run, increasing 24% in volume and 45% in value compared to January-April 2009. Led by Egypt, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, a growing percentage of U.S. beef exports to the Middle East are muscle cuts. But beef variety meat exports are showing signs of a strong price recovery in the region, as they were up only slightly in volume but up by nearly 25% in value through April.

Russia has also expanded its purchases of U.S. beef to include a much higher percentage of muscle cuts, and this was illustrated clearly in the January-April results. Exports toRussia were up 173% in volume (19,525 metric tons or 43 million lb.) but an even more remarkable 613% in value ($47.5 million) compared to 2009.

In contrast to the downturn in Mexico, exports are performing very well in other Western Hemisphere markets. Beef/beef variety meat exports to the Dominican Republic were up more than 60% in volume and value, while Jamaica was up more than 30%. Exports to Central/South America were up by 47% in volume and 54% in value, with variety meat exports to Peru and Colombia accounting for much of the growth.

For more information about foreign marketing efforts, visit www.USMEF.org or MyBeefCheckoff.com.

— Release by The Beef Checkoff Program.

Routine Surveillance Finds Alpena County Beef Herd Positive for Bovine TB

Routine bovine tuberculosis (TB) surveillance testing conducted by the Michigan Department of Agriculture (MDA) found a bovine TB positive beef herd in Alpena County in northeastern lower Michigan’s Modified Accredited Zone (MAZ).

An informational meeting for Alpena County producers is scheduled for Monday, June 21, 2010, from 7p.m.-9 p.m. in the Theater of the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary, Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center, 500 West Fletcher Street, in Alpena.

“We found this positive herd through the annual whole-herd test required of all Alpena County cattle,” said James Averill, MDA’s bovine TB program coordinator. “The meeting will bring producers up-to-date on issues surrounding disease transmission, movement restrictions and the federal funds available to help keep deer away from cattle feed.”
 

“The farms are quarantined,” Averill said. “Absolutely no cattle or cervids enter or leave these premises except those going to slaughter.”

— Adapted from MDA release.

University of Kentucky Joins Four Other Universities to Organize Beef Cattle Conference

The Beef Cattle Reproduction Task Force will offer the Applied Reproductive Strategies in Beef Cattle Conference Aug. 6 and 7 in Nashville, Tenn., to address improving the reproductive performance of the cow herd.  

Topics include the biology of the estrous cycle, understanding anestrous and puberty, factors that impact fertility (male and female), estrous synchronization protocols for heifers and cows, using artificial insemination to improve profit potential, the impact of nutrition on reproduction, the effects of temperament on fertility, and the use of embryo transfer (ET).

University of Kentucky College of Agriculture Beef Specialist Les Anderson helped organize the conference with other beef professionals from the University of Florida, the University of Georgia, the University of Tennessee and Virginia Tech.

The conference will take place at the Nashville Airport Marriott Aug. 5 and 6.  Registration opens at 7 a.m. CST Aug. 5, and the program begins at 9 a.m. The meeting will adjourn by 3:15 p.m. on Aug. 6. The registration fee is $150, and all veterinarians, producers and industry professionals are encouraged to register. Veterinarians and professional animal scientists will receive continuing education credits for attending the conference.  

A tradeshow of industry participants and sponsors will be in place throughout the conference. To reserve a booth, contact Justin Rhinehart at the University of Tennessee, 615-835-4561 or jrhinehart@utk.edu .

To register, send check payable to “The University of Tennessee” to Heather Means, 2640 Morgan Circle Drive, 114c McCord Hall, Knoxville, TN 37996.

Cancellations or changes resulting in a refund must be received by July 22 and are subject to a $30 administrative fee. After July 22, registration fees are non-refundable. Refunds will be processed after the event. Substitutions are permitted.

— Release by Aimee Nielson, UK College of Agriculture.

Select Sires Looks to the Future With the Opening of New Facility

Select Sires Inc. has completed a new global production facility located in Plain City, Ohio. In late November 2009, construction began for the development of two state-of-the-art production facilities across from the international headquarters location that will enable Select Sires to continue to grow and invest in the future of its customer-owners.

“This expansion will comfortably and safely house some of the world’s most valuable bovines that provide superior product for customers across the U.S. as well as in 90 countries around the world,” stated David Thorbahn, president and CEO. “These barns will house 80 additional bulls that can produce semen qualified for shipment to any location in the world. The added housing will enhance Select Sires’ ability to provide an extensive selection of top Program for Genetic Advancement™ (PGA™) proven bulls and genomically tested young sires. Having more sires allows for a wide variation of pedigrees for our customers to choose from and provides all the genetic tools to develop a breeding program for their herds.”

The bio-secure facility has been extensively designed to be exceedingly safe for the welfare of the bulls and bull handlers as well as for the environment. The innovative design conserves energy with air flow that will allow for controlled temperature within the barns. This construction adds to the bulls’ comfort level and enables production of the highest quality semen possible. Each individual pen, walkway, collection arena, veterinary center and waiting area is covered with non-slip rubber matting for comfort and protection of the bulls.

With the awareness of environmental concerns, Select Sires has used advanced plans that, while simple, are calculated to use less energy within the barns. The environmentally friendly way that Select Sires will house animals ensures that all waste is safely made into valuable products, while promoting conservation. These facilities self contain all animal waste and water discharge, including the manure storage facility.

On Friday, June 11, 2010, Thorbahn welcomed Select Sires’ employees, special guests and dignitaries from Ohio’s agricultural organizations to an open house. Select Sires employees who were instrumental in the design and development of the barns include Don Monke, vice president of production operations; Brian Spires, supervisor of the new European Union (EU) qualified barns; Bill DeLong, maintenance supervisor; and Todd Eades, sire-in-waiting group supervisor and bull housing coordinator, and each were on hand for the ribbon cutting ceremony. Attendees were then able to tour the facilities before they were closed to the public.

— Adapted from Select Sires Inc. Release.

— Compiled by Mathew Elliott, assistant editor, Angus Productions Inc.