News Update

May 8, 2015

Record Global Beef Exports

According to the lastest USDA Livestock and Poultry World Markets and Trade report, global beef exports are set to reach record-breaking levels. The agency estimates beef exports to reach 10.2 million tons, which is up 3% from the October 2014 report.

Although, Brazil, Uruguay and the United States have experienced declining export numbers, the declines have been more than offset by increased shipments from India, the European Union and Paraguay.

Russian imports have also been significantly reduced. In spite of the United States’ production up 2%, a stronger dollar has pushed exports down 5%.

See more “Top News Items” on this week’s The Angus Report. You can also tune to RFD-TV at 1:30 p.m. CDT tomorrow to watch the show or join us for a new episode each Monday morning at 7:30 a.m. CDT.

— Adapted from The Angus Report.

Last Day to Book Hotel for BIF

The 2015 Beef Improvement Federation (BIF) Annual Meeting and Research Symposium will be June 9-12 at the Beau Rivage Hotel and Conference Center in Biloxi, Miss. The theme for this year’s program is “Rebuilding a Cow Herd.” Today, May 8, is the last day to make reservations at Beau Rivage Hotel and Conference Center.

Also, visit www.BIFconference.com to view an updated program.

Co-hosted by the Mississippi State University Extension Service and the Mississippi Beef Cattle Improvement Association, registration for the event will start at noon June 9 followed by a Young Producers’ Symposium at 1 p.m. A welcome reception begins at 5 p.m. followed by the National Association of Animal Breeders Symposium at 7 p.m.

The meeting will allow the research community and industry to meet and discuss issues surrounding the genetic improvement of beef cattle and for attendees to learn about technologies and management practices that can aid in the profitability of their operations.

Go online to register or for more details on this year’s event.

— Adapted from a release by Brandi Karisch, Mississippi State University.

Women in Ag Survey Underscores Need for Leadership Skills

Communicating effectively, establishing and achieving goals, and strategic planning ranked highest on a list of important leadership skills for women in agriculture to master, according to a new Farm Bureau survey. Nearly 2,000 women completed the informal online survey, which was conducted to determine the goals, aspirations, achievements and needs of women in American agriculture today.

Another topline finding of the survey is that most of the women surveyed are comfortable advocating about agriculture, and most believe they have the necessary skills and knowledge to be successful. Social media is the preferred avenue of advocating about agriculture among the women surveyed.

Nearly three-quarters of those surveyed own or share ownership of a farm or ranch. One-third of women surveyed have not yet started a business but indicated they would like to do so in the future. Respondents cited obtaining financial support, business plan development, and prioritizing/finding time to accomplish tasks as their most common business challenges.

Read the survey’s comple findings in the full news release online.

— Adapted from a release by the American Farm Bureau Federation.

Western Snowpack Melts Early, Little Remains

West-wide snowpack has mostly melted, according to data from the fifth 2015 forecast by the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).

“Across most of the West, snowpack isn’t just low — it’s gone,” NRCS Hydrologist David Garen said. “With some exceptions, this year’s snowmelt streamflow has already occurred.”

Garen said that for much of the western United States, the snowpack at many of the stations is at or near the lowest on record. Months of unusually warm temperatures hindered snowpack growth and accelerated its melt.

“We still have some snowpack in northern Colorado, western Montana and southern Wyoming,” said Garen. “In addition, snowmelt from Canada will flow into the Columbia River.”

“It’s been a dry year for the Colorado River,” NRCS Hydrologist Cara McCarthy said. “Snowmelt inflow into the Lake Powell Reservoir is forecast at 34% of normal.” The Lake Powell Reservoir supplies water to much of the Southwest, including Las Vegas, Los Angeles and southern Arizona. “We only forecast streamflow from current conditions,” McCarthy said. “Spring and summer rains might relieve areas that are dry.”

View the full snowpack report in the full news release by the USDA.

— Adapted from a release by the USDA Office of Communications.

Montana Angus Tour

The 42nd Annual Montana Angus Tour will be Sept. 15-17.

This year’s tour is co-sponsored by the Midland Empire Angus Association in South Central Montana. More than 20 prominent Angus breeders and three nationally recognized AI bull studs will participate. The tour will cover stops from Big Timber to Hardin during the three days.

The Montana Angus Association will host its annual meeting and banquet Sept. 15. Tour headquarters is the Big Horn Resort in Billings, Mont.

For more information, contact Bob Cook at bcook@cattleplus.com.

— Adapted from a release by the Montana Angus Association.

— Compiled by Paige Nelson, field editor, Angus Journal.

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