News Update
January 9, 2015
November Meat Export Volumes Lower, but Value Remains on Record Pace
U.S. beef and pork export volumes trended lower in November, according to data released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF). However, the cumulative 2014 volume totals were still higher year-over-year, with January-November beef exports up 2% to 1.1 million metric tons (mt). Pork exports were also 2% higher at just less than 2 million mt.
With December totals still to be recorded, beef exports already set a new full-year value record of $6.49 billion (up 16% year-over-year). Pork export value through November ($6.13 billion, up 11%) is on pace to break the 2012 record and already exceeds the 2013 year-end total.
November results were mixed for beef exports, with volume down 5% from a year ago to 96,348 mt, while value was 19% higher at $626.7 million. November pork exports were down 13% in volume (168,062 mt) and 6% in value ($519.9 million).
USMEF President and CEO Philip Seng said that while the first 11 months of 2014 reflect a very solid performance for U.S. beef and pork, exports face heightening economic challenges in leading markets in the coming year.
For more information, please view the full release here.
American Farm Bureau Federation,
28 Other Ag Groups Join to Lift Cuban Trade Embargo
The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) Jan. 8 joined with 30 other agricultural organizations in announcing the formation of the U.S. Agriculture Coalition for Cuba.
Farm Bureau said the coalition would work with Congress and the president to bring about full normalization of trade relations between the two nations, so that American businesses could have the same access to Cuban markets that so many other countries have.
“Easing financing restrictions on agricultural trade with Cuba will make U.S. farmers and ranchers more competitive in the Cuban market of 11 million consumers,” AFBF President Bob Stallman said.
“We still have onerous restrictions on trade with the island nation, despite the fact that numerous countries long ago moved on and now trade freely with Cuba. American farmers and agri-businesses must be afforded the opportunity to compete in the Cuban market,” he added.
More information about the coalition can be found at www.usagcoalition.com/.
Top MCA County Affiliates, Members Recognized
At the 47th Annual Missouri Cattle Industry Convention and Trade Show, more than 600 cattle producers from across the state gathered in Osage Beach, Mo., to set priorities for the coming year and recognize accomplishments from the past year. Four county affiliates of the Missouri Cattlemen’s Association (MCA) were recognized with Awards for Excellence. MCA President Janet Akers said the association’s county affiliates are the “lifeblood” of the association.
“The state association is only as strong as our county affiliates. We are so proud of the work our county affiliates do to educate, unite and activate cattle producers from across the state,” said Akers. “Missouri has 114 counties in the state and MCA is represented in every single county.”
The Dallas County Cattlemen’s Association was recognized as the Overall Affiliate for their work in 2014. The Overall Affiliate Runner Up was the Southwest Cattlemen’s Association. Akers said these two counties are model associations for other groups to follow.
“Dallas County and Southwest Cattlemen’s, like many other MCA affiliates, are outstanding groups that work daily to expand involvement and participation,” said Akers. “Both of these affiliates have done a phenomenal job attracting young people to their network of active MCA members.”
Polk County Cattlemen’s Association was recognized for having the Overall Affiliate Activity/Event as a result of its “Share your Christmas” program, where the county provides assistance to those in need during the holiday season. The Franklin County Cattlemen’s Association promotes beef to more than 85,000 fairgoers at the Washington Town & County Fair and were presented the Outstanding Affiliate Beef Promotion award.
Current MCA members recruited more than 600 new members in 2014. Those members who recruited new individuals are referred to as “top hands.” Recruiters were presented awards for their work in growing the association. The top recruiter of 2014 was Greg Buckman from Boone County.
Three Missouri Lawmakers Honored
by Missouri Cattlemen’s Association
Three Missouri lawmakers were recognized by the MCA during the organization’s 47th Annual Cattle Industry Convention and Trade Show Jan. 4, 2015, in Osage Beach, Mo. Yearly, MCA’s policy and legislative affairs committee chooses legislators who support Missouri’s beef cattle industry. The 2014 MCA Legislator of the Year award was presented to one senator and to two representatives, one from a rural area and one from an urban area.
Sen. Mike Kehoe (R-6), who is also a cattle producer, was recognized as a senator who not only supports agriculture but also leads agricultural legislation. MCA Director of Legislative Affairs Dale Amick said Sen. Kehoe was instrumental in pushing MCA priorities forward last year.
“Sen. Kehoe is a legislator who is committed to advancing Missouri’s beef cattle industry. He helped push legislation forward that would increase livestock hauling limits, enable beef producers to have more control over their beef checkoff investments and more,” said Amick. “Ultimately, the governor vetoed these important issues but thanks to Sen Kehoe and others, the senate overrode the governor.”
Rep. Joe Don McGaugh (R-39) from Carrollton, Mo., was presented the 2014 Legislator of the Year from MCA for his consistent support and leadership of agricultural legislation, according to Jimmie Long, chairman of MCA’s policy and legislative affairs committee.
“Two years ago, Rep. McGaugh was a leader in overriding the governor’s veto of Senate Bill 9 and this year he was a driving force in nearly overriding the governor on Senate Bill 506. Rep. McGaugh led legislation strongly supported by MCA that would expand the equine liability act to include all livestock. This legislation would have given livestock owners another layer of protection from frivolous lawsuits,” Long said. “Rep. McGaugh has already filed this legislation again for the 2015 legislative session.”
MCA also honored a legislator from an urban area who was instrumental in bridging the gap between rural Missouri and urban areas, according to MCA Executive Vice President Mike Deering. Rep. Tommie Pierson (D-66) from St. Louis was recognized for his support of family farmers and ranchers by being given the 2014 Legislator of the Year award.
“Rep. Pierson is a legislator you can always count on to do what’s right and he isn’t afraid to work across the aisle,” said Deering. “Rep. Pierson understands that a safe, healthy and affordable food supply for his constituents starts with Missouri’s family farmers and ranchers. He has been instrumental in helping to bridge the gap between rural and urban Missouri.”
For more information, please view the full release here.
Small Ruminant Grazing Conference Feb. 7
Kentucky’s quality forage base affords many opportunities for goat and sheep grazing pastures. With the Kentucky Department of Agriculture reporting that the state is home to nearly 68,000 goats and about 43,000 sheep, new and established producers can benefit from educational opportunities like the Small Ruminant Grazing Conference.
The University of Kentucky (UK) College of Agriculture, Food and Environment is teaming up with Kentucky State University (KSU), the Kentucky Sheep and Goat Development Office, the Kentucky Goat Producers Association and the Kentucky Sheep and Wool Producers Association to offer the 2015 conference Feb. 7 at the Logan County Extension office in Russellville.
“We always have a variety of learning opportunities for anyone who is interested in raising small ruminants,” said David Ditsch, director of the UK Robinson Center for Appalachian Resource Sustainability in Quicksand. “We will present science-based research that producers can apply in their own operations.”
The daylong event begins with a welcome at 8:30 a.m. CST, followed by an economics and marketing update at 8:40 a.m. Sessions focusing on forage management and parasite management begin at 9:15 a.m. Topics include:
- Fescue toxicosis
- Fencing options
- Deworming decisions
- Pasture management in parasite control
After lunch, Ken Andries, KSU small ruminant extension specialist, will facilitate a producer panel focused on forage systems. Panel participants are Mary Kessler, a sheep and cattle producer from Springfield; Al Dilley, a goat producer from Glasgow; Shawn Harper, a goat producer from Hickory and Jim Mansfield, a sheep producer from Salvisa.
The regular meeting will adjourn at 2:30 p.m. Participants may stay and attend an optional FAMACHA (named for chart creator Faffa Malan) training at 2:45 p.m. FAMACHA is a program designed to help producers of small ruminants diagnose parasite infection.
For more information, please view the Angus Journal Virtual Library calendar of upcoming events here.
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