News Update
January 05, 2018
October Another Stellar Month
U.S. pork exports remained ahead of last year’s record volume pace, and beef exports are poised to break $7 billion this year for only the second time, according to October export results released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF).
Beef exports reached 111,287 mt in October, up 5% from a year ago, valued at $662 million, up 18%. These were the second-largest monthly totals of 2017, trailing only August. For January through October, exports totaled 1.038 million mt, up 9% year-over-year, valued at $5.93 billion — up 16% from a year ago and slightly ahead of the record value pace established in 2014.
Read this Angus Beef Bulletin EXTRA article online.
MCA Launches App for Members
The Missouri Cattlemen’s Association (MCA) has launched an app to keep members up to date on state news, weather, commodity market prices, calendar of events and browse convention activities.
On a mobile device, users will be able to browse speaker bios, schedule of events and sponsors at the 50th Annual Missouri Cattle Industry Convention and Trade Show. Users will also be able to see general information about the convention and the complete list of exhibitors for the trade show.
The MO Cattle App can alert users about MCA news and different commodity markets. The app will include links to news stories and social media platforms, as well as the calendar of events for MCA.
The app is available for download in the App Store and the Google Play Store.
The Source
Questions from producers about the American Angus Association’s recent purchase of Verified Beef and Reputation Feeder Cattle® program have kept the phone ringing. Here are a few of the most common questions and answers.
Do I have to own registered Angus bulls to enroll calves in the programs purchased from Verified Beef?
The American Angus Association will continue to offer age and source verification with AngusSource® and Gateway. Producers don’t have to use registered Angus bulls to enroll their calves in Gateway. It is open to any breed of cattle as long as they are born on your ranch and you have calving records that show birthdates for the enrollment group. AngusSource is source, age and genetic verification and requires producers to use registered Angus bulls. Producers can choose the program that fits their herd’s breed make-up and management.
What about Non Hormone Treated Cattle (NHTC) and Never Ever 3 (NE3) programs that Verified Beef offered their customers?
Currently, the American Angus Association is in the process of getting those verification programs approved through USDA.
Continue reading this Angus Beef Bulletin EXTRA article online.
Scholarships Available through FCS Financial
Since 2004, FCS Financial has provided more than half a million dollars to Missouri high school seniors seeking higher education. Up to 35 scholarships, each at $1,500, will be awarded to children or grandchildren of FCS Financial members. The scholarship deadline is March 1 and recipients will be notified in April.
Applicants must be a graduating senior at a Missouri high school and a child or grandchild of an FCS Financial member. Additionally, the student must attain a grade point average of 2.5 or higher, an ACT score of at least 26 or rank in the top 20% of their senior class. The scholarship applicants are then judged by a non-partisan committee on leadership roles, work experience, community involvement and essays.
Apply online at www.myfcsfinancial.com. Click on Scholarships at the top of the web page. Relatives of FCS Financial board members or employees are not eligible.
FCS Financial serves 102 counties through 21 offices in Missouri. FCS Financial is a member of the Farm Credit System. For more information, read the FCS news release online.
What Makes Food News and Information Credible?
When it comes to the credibility of food news and information, truth is relative, according to new research from The Center for Food Integrity (CFI). The study identified five consumer segments, how each defines truth, and how food news and information move through culture. It provides the food and agriculture industries insights into which segments are driving food trends and how — and where — to connect with them to earn trust.
“In its first-of-its-kind research, we used an innovative approach called digital ethnography to determine what constitutes ‘truth’ and why certain ideas get fleeting mentions while others turn into meaningful food movements,” said Charlie Arnot, CEO of CFI. “Certain consumer segments are creating food culture by influencing the information that’s shared and embraced.”
Through digital ethnography, CFI observed 8,500 consumers online across multiple social channels. Going back two years, the study forensically examined their behaviors, identifying beliefs, values, fears and unspoken motivations when it comes to food information.
“It’s like following digital breadcrumbs that leave a trail showing what consumers actually do, not just what they say they do,” said Arnot.
Learn more in the Angus Beef Bulletin EXTRA article online.
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