News Update
March 1, 2011

U.S. Red Meat Exports Boost Trade Balance by $4.24 billion

The U.S. balance of trade received a $4.24 billion shot in the arm courtesy of the red meat industry in 2010, according to statistics released by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF).

Record-high export values for beef ($4.08 billion) and the second-highest total on record for pork ($4.78 billion) fueled the trade surplus.

“The United States agriculture sector not only is feeding much of the world, but it’s an important source of jobs and revenue for our country,” said Philip Seng, president and CEO of USMEF.

The U.S. beef industry exported 2.35 billion pounds (lb.) valued at $4.08 billion in 2010, increases of 19% in volume and 32% in value compared to 2009. Beef exports exceeded imports by 605.1 million lb. and $1.155 billion in value.

Similarly, U.S. pork exports increased 3% in volume to 4.23 billion lb. and 10% in value to $4.78 billion versus 2009 totals. Those exports exceeded imports by 3.4 billion lb. and $3.58 billion in value.

Only U.S. lamb had an export deficit. Exports of 23.5 million lb. valued at $20.6 million compared with imports of 126.2 million lb. valued at $490 million.

Total U.S. red meat exports in 2010 were valued at $8.88 billion, 19.4% higher than the previous year and 4% higher than the previous record set in 2008.

That $8.88 billion in exports supports an estimated 107,000 U.S. jobs, according to U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) calculations, with every billion dollars in U.S. agricultural exports supporting approximately 12,000 American jobs.

“The value of U.S. red meat exports can be measured in many ways,” Seng said. “For example, in 2010, the incremental value of beef exports equated to $153.09 for every steer and heifer processed. For hogs, the incremental value of exports was $43.72 per head.”

Another way to measure the value of exports, Seng said, was the return on investment that it provides for the taxpayers’ support of USMEF’s proactive efforts to support exports in 80 countries around the world. Of USMEF’s $35.3 million budget, just over half ($18.4 million) came from USDA’s Market Access Program (MAP) and Foreign Market Development (FMD) program, with the balance coming in the form of support from the beef, pork, corn and soybean industries and USMEF members. An additional $24.3 million was contributed by international third-party organizations that USMEF partners with in its market development activities.

— Release by USMEF.

MU FAPRI to Give 2011 Missouri Agricultural Outlook

The Missouri Agricultural Outlook Conference, a look ahead for one year and 10 years, will be given Monday morning, March 14, by the University of Missouri Food and Agricultural Policy Research Institute (MU FAPRI). 

Members of the media and leaders of Missouri commodity groups and agricultural organizations are invited. The meeting is free.

The outlook will be the first in-state look at the 2011 FAPRI baseline. The presentations will be from 8:30 a.m. to noon at the Courtyard Marriott, 3301 Lemone Industrial Boulevard, off Highway 63 South at the Route AC exit in Columbia.

The FAPRI group will have just returned from briefing the U.S. Congress and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) the previous week.

Computer models maintained by MU FAPRI are used to analyze outcomes of proposed legislation. While there may not be a Farm Bill put forth by Congress in 2011, there will be many proposed changes to be studied this year, said Pat Westhoff, director of MU FAPRI.

Registration opens at 8 a.m. At 8:30 a.m., introductions and FAPRI highlights will be given by Lori Wilcox, managing director of FAPRI.

At 8:50 a.m., Steve Iversen, chief risk management officer at FCS Financial, Jefferson City, will talk on “Financial Outlook and Risk Management in Agriculture.”

At 9:45 a.m., Pat Westhoff will give the “Outlook for Crops.”

At 11 a.m., after a break, Scott Brown, associate director, will give an “Outlook for Livestock and Dairy.”

The program adjourns at noon. Speakers will be available for interviews.

No advance registration is required.

— Release by MU FAPRI.

Ag Leadership Program Accepting Applications Through April 15

The Kansas Agriculture and Rural Leadership (KARL) program will accept applications through April 15 from state residents interested in participating in KARL’s 2011-13 Class XI. This is the 20th Anniversary Class of the KARL Program.

The two-year program includes three study tours, as well as nine winter, 48-hour seminars at sites across the state, said KARL director Jack Lindquist. The program schedules its two national seminars and a “capstone” international tour for November-March — generally known as production agriculture’s “off season” in Kansas.

“KARL alumni and current class members both have gone out of their way to tell me that the 50-day commitment (over two years) is much more than just well worth the investment. It’s needed in today’s changing and competitive environment,” he said.

Adrian Coberly, farm producer and KARL Class X member from Gove County recently spoke of the “wow” factor of the KARL Program.

“The KARL class seminar experience guarantees that you will take home at least one (if not more) gem of an idea or piece of knowledge. And you will have the opportunity to network with some very sharp people,” he said.  

Class XI will begin its training in August with a weekend retreat. To be considered for that class, applicants must submit a completed profile form. The form is on the Web at www.karlprogram.com/ or available at the KARL office at 785-532-6300.

The new 30-member class will be announced on June 1 after going through a selection process.

The criteria for eligibility are leadership experience and a devotion to Kansas agriculture and rural communities, Lindquist said. “Dedication to a more positive future is the key to being selected,” he said.

Tuition for the not-for-profit training program is $1,500 per year or a total of $3,000. KARL donors pay the remainder of the expenses, nearly $14,000 per person.

Lindquist said more details about what the curriculum will include and/or how to become a KARL supporter are available at www.karlprogram.com/ or calling 785-532-6300.

— Release by KARL.

AMI Joins Food and Agriculture Coalition in Opposing Proposed ‘User Fees’

In letters sent today to the chairmen and ranking members of the House and Senate Agriculture Committee, Budget Committee and Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee, American Meat Institute (AMI) joined two dozen food and agriculture trade associations in opposition to so-called “user fees” for government mandatory inspection programs for meat, poultry and egg processors. The fees were included in the Obama Administration’s proposal for the Fiscal Year 2012 U.S. Department of Agriculture budget.

Because meat, poultry and egg inspection protects public health and safety and benefits everyone, the letter argued the inspection should be paid for through appropriated funds.

AMI has long opposed user fees for mandated meat inspection services, arguing that the fees ultimately will be passed onto consumers in the form of higher meat, poultry and egg prices.  

“In reality, these fees represent a food safety tax on consumers and not just a fee on processors,” the groups wrote. “The proposed tax will make the current equitable funding mechanism inherently regressive, since low and middle-income families spend a higher portion of their income on food than do wealthier Americans. Furthermore, this proposal to transform government-funded food safety inspection provides less accountability for the government to manage program costs, results and efficiencies.”

“We urge Congress to continue to oppose proposals to assess new user fees, either in whole or in part, to fund federally mandated meat, poultry or egg product inspection,” the letter concluded.

To view an example of a letter, as sent to the Chairman of the House Committee on Agriculture, click here: www.meatami.com/ht/a/GetDocumentAction/i/67054.

— Release by AMI.