News Update
Jan. 6, 2011

Russia Announces 2011 TRQ Quantities; Increases Beef Allocation

The American Meat Institute (AMI) reports that Russia’s Ministry of Economic Development (MED) has announced the initial distribution of 2011 tariff-rate quotas (TRQ) quantities to importers, which includes an increase in the U.S. frozen beef quota allocation from 21,700 to 41,700 metric ton while making the equivalent reduction to “other countries.”

The poultry TRQ has been reduced to 350,000 metric ton and narrowed in product scope, and will not have country-specific allocations in 2011.

Fresh beef, pork and pork trimming TRQ remain unchanged from 2010. MED will distribute the remaining TRQ quantities to importers by April 15, 2011.

“AMI would like to thank Ambassador Siddiqui and the staff at the Office of the United States Representative (USTR) for their efforts in negotiating this increased allocation, which represents more than an estimated $75 million in additional 2011 frozen beef exports,” said AMI President and CEO J. Patrick Boyle.

— Release by AMI.

Northwest Florida Beef Conference & Trade Show

The 26th annual Northwest Florida Beef Conference and Trade Show will take place Wednesday, Feb. 9, 2011. The event will be held at the Jackson County Extension Service’s Ag Conference Center, located at 2741 Pennsylvania Avenue, Marianna, Fla. Registration and the Trade Show will open at 8 a.m. Registration is $5 per person, payable at the door, with lunch provided. The Beef Conference is an annual University of Florida (UF) Extension educational program for beef cattle producers in the tri-state region of Florida, Alabama, and Georgia.

The focus of the Beef Conference for 2011 will be cattle herd health. Three veterinarians will train ranchers and their employees on emergency care, selecting the right animal health products, and overall management to prevent disease. Bob Mortimer, Colorado State University, will teach cattle producers how to deal with calving and cattle emergencies. Mortimer has spent years training veterinary students in the area of calving management and has a vast knowledge base of practical advice for ranchers. Max Irsik, UF Beef Cattle Extension veterinarian, will discuss utilizing new antibiotics and vaccination products available for use in cattle. A local practicing veterinarian will make the final presentation on why herd health programs fail. The program will conclude with a panel of the three presenting veterinarians for a question-and-answer session with the audience. Everyone who owns or works with beef cattle will benefit from attending this event.

In addition to the formal presentations, company and agency representatives will take part in the Trade Show. Cattle producers can find out about the most current products and services available in the region that may benefit their operations. To RSVP attendance, or for more information on the Beef Conference, contact the Jackson County Extension Service, 850-482-9620.

— Release by UF Extension.

Beef Cow Ownership Seminar Jan. 20 at Curtis

The University of Nebraska (UN) Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture (NCTA) will host a 100 Beef Cow Ownership seminar Jan. 20.

The seminar will begin at 1 p.m. in the Veterinary Hospital amphitheater on the Curtis campus.

The seminar is aimed at producers, ranch employees and traditional students interested in learning more about NCTA’s 100 Cow program. Producers will learn how students and adults completing the outreach program can work with them as partner/employees.

Adults interested in ranch ownership will learn about NCTA’s four-course, eight-month program that can help them create a business plan, develop a partnership agreement and apply for a low-interest loan to buy 100 or more cows from a producer interested in hiring a partner/employee.

“Our rural communities that serve agriculture are struggling, and we absolutely must bring some of our young people back home because they will establish families that will keep our schools open and our main streets viable,” said Weldon Sleight, dean of NCTA.

“I commend our wonderful ranch families for what they have done over generations to help Nebraska prosper, but we are at a crossroads,” Sleight added. “We must now look ahead at the next generation of ranchers and make sure that our ranches and communities are owned by Nebraska families that live and work on our ranches.”

The seminar will feature representatives from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA), Nebraska Department of Agriculture, and other partners in the program that aims to help young Nebraskans find a place in the beef industry.

— Release by UN Extension.

Entertainment Events Announced for 2011 Cattle Industry Convention

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) announces three special events at the 2011 Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show: the Best of Beef Breakfast with Baxter Black; a Cattlemen’s Tailgate Party at Invesco Field at Mile High Stadium; and the Cowboy Comedy Club featuring Larry the Cable Guy.

“Convention attendees are in for some serious fun, unlike anything I can remember from past conventions,” said Steve Foglesong, NCBA president. “I can’t wait for breakfast with Baxter Black, the tailgate party at Mile High at the infamous Invesco Field, and some laughs with funny-man Larry the Cable Guy! These events will be unforgettable.”

At the Best of Beef Breakfast Thursday, Feb. 3, from 7-9 a.m. MST, sponsored by Micro Beef Technologies and Rabo AgriFinance, the BEST OF BEEF will be honored at this Celebration Awards Ceremony. Attendees can meet and network with the industry’s most talented producers and partners as they are recognized for their outstanding service, dedication and commitment to the industry. Baxter Black, described by the New York Times as “…probably the nation’s most successful living poet,” and former large animal veterinarian, will entertain by shining a spotlight on the flaws and foibles of everyday cowboy life.

Convention-goers can also attend the Cattlemen’s Tailgate Party at Invesco Field at Mile High Stadium, home of the Denver Broncos, Thursday, Feb. 3, from 7:30 p.m.-10:30 p.m. MST. Sponsored by Boehringher Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc., attendees will enjoy pregame foods and indulge in local beverages, take in the half-time show, and kick up their heels to the tunes of a local dance band.

And finally, Friday, Feb. 4, from 8 p.m.-11:30 p.m. MST, a night of laughs and good times will close out the convention at the Cowboy Comedy Club featuring Larry the Cable Guy, sponsored by Bayer Animal Health. Attendees will be entertained by one of the funniest, most successful comedians in the country. As a member of the famous Blue Collar Comedy Club, Larry has been making people laugh for many years. His famous catch phrase “Git-R-Done” and redneck stories will keep audience members in stitches. Following the comedy club, attendees will have a chance to dance the night away at the Boot Scootin’ Boogie After Party.

For more information on these events and to register for the 2011 Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show, visit: www.beefusa.org/convregistration.aspx.

— Release by NCBA.

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