News Update
January 11, 2016
Global Markets
The long-term trend for beef exports is positive despite recent declines. That’s according to Duane Lenz of CattleFax, who says while exports may remain limited for the first quarter of 2016, beef prices will eventually begin to decline and, therefore, attract increases in imports of U.S. beef.
If export markets grow with more economies demanding grain-fed beef, it will contribute further to overall positive beef demand levels.
“It’s going to contribute $300 to $325 per head of fed steer and heifer on the export side this year, even though it’s down 10% to 12%,” Lenz said.
“Imports are up fairly sharply. A high dollar, U.S. dollar, has attracted some imports. It will probably be limited on the front end for the first quarter, because a strong dollar appears to be in, or at least a very strong dollar. We think, though, as we go through time our beef prices are going to go down, and it’s going to be attractive on the world market, and we’ll start to grow exports again.”
He adds that the United States is one of the few producers of grain-fed beef in the world, and as world economies become more affluent, they will look to grain-fed beef.
To hear more of Lenz’s interview, watch this week’s The Angus Report online.
Properly Recording Calving Scores
Angus Genetics Inc. (AGI) recently updated its blog, angusgenetics.wordpress.com, with a reminder on how to properly submit caving scores to the American Angus Association. In many parts of the country, calving season will be in full swing soon, so it is the perfect time to review proper collection of calving scores and birth weights.
Performance data of all types can be submitted through the Angus Herd Improvement Records (AHIR®)/Performance data icon at angusonline.org.
Once inside of the AHIR/Performance data area, the Calving and Weaning Report will give you access to all registered and commercial females 12 months old or older and you can enter information directly online, or you have the option to download a spreadsheet and enter your data there before uploading into the database.
Visit the blog to read more tips from AGI.
TAHC Coordinates Response Efforts to Winter Storm Goliath
In the aftermath of winter storm Goliath, the Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) continues to work with industry and state agency partners in response and recovery efforts in the northwest part of the Texas Panhandle.
TAHC has been engaged in coordination efforts since the storm hit Texas on Dec. 26, 2015. Livestock producers in this region were severely impacted by blizzard conditions with wind gusts reaching up to 80 mph and snow accumulating to more than 20 inches in a 48-hour period.
The TAHC Horseback Emergency Response Team has been conducting searches and identifying lost cattle while coordinating their efforts with local county officials and the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association (TSCRA) Special Rangers.
“The biggest challenge is yet to come; animal production losses will put a strain on all facets of the industry, but we are doing everything we can to make sure the Texas livestock industry will overcome this,” said David Finch, TAHC Region 1 director.
For more information, please view the full news release online.
CHS Foundation Accepting Scholarship Applications
The CHS Foundation, the major giving entity of CHS Inc., North America’s leading farmer-owned cooperative, invites new and existing college students with agriculture or energy-related interests to apply for scholarships.
The CHS Foundation will award more than 300 scholarships in 2016. One hundred $1,000 scholarships will be made to high school students who choose to pursue agricultural-related degrees or STEM-related (science, technology, engineering, math) fields of study with an interest in agriculture or energy industry careers.
High school scholarship applications must be submitted by April 1, 2016. An independent, external committee will select scholarship recipients based on essays, transcripts and reference letters.
For additional eligibility information and to apply, visit http://www.chsinc.com/stewardship/scholarships.
Webinar Outlines 2016 Calf Market Expectations
Cow-calf margins will shrink as the U.S. beef cow herd expands, but producers can ensure future profitability by adjusting business plans for the supply increase. An upcoming free CattleFax webinar will address a 2016 outlook for the cow-calf segment and entire beef sector, while exploring continued cow herd expansion.
The CattleFax Trends+ Cow-Calf Webinar will be at 5:30 p.m. SMT, Jan. 20, 2016. To participate in the webinar and access program details, producers and industry leaders simply need to register online at www.cattlefax.com/meetings.aspx.
One of the most aggressive U.S. beef cow herd expansions in the last four decades will increase beef supplies and pressure cow-calf profitability during the next several years. As profits narrow during that time, well-informed producers can maintain healthy margins by adjusting production, marketing and risk management plans with increasing supplies in mind.
To learn more, access the complete news release online.
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