News Update

May 30, 2017

That much better?

Cattle genetics have made big improvements since the American Angus Association released its dollar beef value ($B) index in 2004.

Often called “dollar beef,” it was one of the first tools to combine expected progeny differences (EPDs) for feedyard and carcass traits with economic measures.

At the time, the breed average was +$23.79, and $45.48 represented the top 1%.

“Now today, we’re three times that, or higher,” says cattle feeder Sam Hands of Triangle H, Garden City, Kan. “So, are the cattle really three times better?”

A recent demonstration project, cosponsored by the feedyard along with Gardiner Angus Ranch, Top Dollar Angus and Zoetis, found the resounding “yes” in a $215.47 difference between divergent groups of calves from registered Angus parents.

Continue reading in this Angus Media news article online.

— Adapted from a release by Miranda Reiman, Certified Angus Beef LLC.

USMEF Kicks Off Spring Conference

The U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) opened its Spring Conference Wednesday, May 24, in Arlington, Va., with an extensive discussion of the current international trade environment and a review of year-to-date export results for U.S. pork, beef and lamb.

The federation also announced the successor to longtime USMEF President and CEO Philip Seng, as Dan Halstrom, USMEF senior vice president for marketing, will become president on Sept. 1 and assume the title of president and CEO on Dec. 1. Seng will remain with the organization as CEO emeritus through July 2018.

USMEF Chairman Bruce Schmoll, a soybean and corn producer from Claremont, Minn., welcomed members to the Spring Conference and recapped the very strong first-quarter results for U.S. red meat exports. Schmoll noted that Mexico is a terrific destination for U.S. pork, and USMEF’s new product development and consumer education efforts continue to bolster per capita pork consumption in Mexico.

For more information, read the USMEF news release online.

— Adapted from a release by the U.S. Meat Export Federation.

Livestock Slaughter

Commercial red meat production for the United States totaled 3.97 billion pounds (lb.) in April, down slightly from the 3.98 billion lb. produced in April 2016.

Beef production, at 1.96 billion lb., was slightly below the previous year. Cattle slaughter totaled 2.46 million head, up 2% from April 2016. The average live weight was down 23 lb. from the previous year, at 1,325 lb.

Veal production totaled 5.8 million lb., 3% below April a year ago. Calf slaughter totaled 39,000 head, up 12% from April 2016. The average live weight was down 36 lb. from last year, at 257 lb.

Pork production totaled 1.99 billion lb., down 1% from the previous year. Hog slaughter totaled 9.34 million head, down slightly from April 2016. The average live weight was unchanged from the previous year, at 285 lb.

January to April 2017 commercial red meat production was 16.7 billion lb., up 3% from 2016.

Read the complete USDA report online.

— Adapted from a release by USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service.

Outlook for U.S. Agricultural Trade

Fiscal year 2017 agricultural exports are projected at $137.0 billion, up $1.0 billion from the February forecast, as increases are expected in livestock, grain/feed, and cotton exports.

Livestock, poultry and dairy exports are raised $600 million to $28.7 billion due to an expected increase in red meat shipments that more than offsets slight declines in the poultry and dairy forecasts. Grain and feed exports are forecast at $29.0 billion, up $400 million, driven by a larger volume for wheat and higher unit values for rice.

U.S. agricultural imports in fiscal year 2017 are forecast at $114.5 billion, unchanged from February and $1.4 billion above their total value in fiscal year 2016. The U.S. agricultural trade surplus is expected to increase $1 billion to $22.5 billion.

Read the USDA report online.

— Adapted from a release by USDA Economic Research Service.

Drone Use on Rangelands

“Drones on Rangelands — The Basics” will be the topic of the June 1 natural resources webinar conducted by the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service ecosystem science and management unit.

The webinar is a part of the Texas Range Webinar Series scheduled the first Thursday of each month from noon to 1 p.m., said Pete Flores, AgriLife Extension webinar coordinator in Corpus Christi.

Megan Clayton, AgriLife Extension range specialist in Corpus Christi, will be the presenter.

“We will look at some examples of how drones could potentially be used to manage rangelands and uncover the legalities and rules for either commercial or hobby use,” Clayton said.

For more information, access the news release online.

— Adapted from a release by Kay Ledbetter. Texas AgriLife Communications.

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

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