Headline News
Export Markets Opening
NCBA has received word that Nicaragua has re-opened its doors to U.S. beef exports. We are expecting the additional countries in Central America to follow suit very soon, including Panama, and NCBA is currently working on resuming the export of U.S. beef variety meats to Mexico.
Taiwan officials announced last week that they will likely end a ban on U.S. beef in the near future. The U.S. government sent letters to trading partners asking them to re-open their markets to U.S. beef. The letters accompanied the USDA’s response to the International Review Team report on the case of BSE in Washington State which details the measures taken since the discovery of the disease. "If safety is assured then a decision will be made as soon as possible...and I think it will be positive," said Chen Lu-hung, director of Taiwan’s the Bureau of Food Safety. At this time, USDA is focusing its efforts on key Asian markets for U.S. beef including Hong Kong, China, and South Korea. USDA is also focusing on two beef variety meat export markets: Russia and Egypt. - Cattlemen’s Capitol Concerns
Cattle Industry News
South Dakota to host international beef improvement conference
Cattle producers from all over the world will be heading to Sioux Falls, South Dakota May 25-28 for the Beef Improvement Federation conference. The annual conference will feature experts from across the United States who will address a variety of issues of interest to progressive beef producers worldwide. “So far we have people registered from all over the United States and Australia,” said Justin Stockall, executive director of the South Dakota Cattlemen’s Association, which is partnering with South Dakota State University and the South Dakota Cooperative Extension Service to put on this conference.
The Beef Improvement Federation, which has been around for 36 years, is made up organizations representing all aspects of the beef industry, including state cattlemen’s organizations, breed organizations and any other organization or individual interested in beef cattle performance. Each year a conference is presented in a different state, planned by organizations in that state, and offers people a chance to learn about and discuss the latest trends and technology in the beef industry.
This year the conference speakers will discuss cowherd efficiency, DNA fingerprinting, new technologies and genetic prediction, among other topics. Roundtable discussions will give attendees a chance to hear experts in the beef performance field discussing and debating progressive ideas and techniques that allow beef producers to manage their businesses in an innovative, efficient manner.
For more information or to register for the 2004 Beef Improvement Federation conference, go online to www.bif2004.com or call the South Dakota Cattlemen’s Association at 605-945-2333. - South Dakota Cattlemen’s Association
Sen. Talent, Sen. Bond Ask Cheney to Help Resume U.S. Beef Trade with Japan
(WASHINGTON, D.C.) U.S. Senator Jim Talent (R-Mo.), a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, along with U.S. Senator Kit Bond (R-Mo.), led an effort requesting Vice President Dick Cheney’s assistance in resuming U.S. beef trade with Japan. Vice President Cheney is scheduled to travel to Japan this weekend to discuss foreign policy issues.
“We request your assistance in resolving the remaining issues that prevent a resumption of beef exports to Japan,” the senators wrote. “We believe the United States has taken the necessary steps to reestablish trade in beef and beef products. In an effort to resume trade to one of our most important markets, we ask that you address these concerns during your upcoming meetings in Japan.”
Japan had been the biggest importer of American beef until a BSE-positive cow from Canada was discovered in Washington State on December 23, 2003. The country immediately closed its borders to U.S. beef when USDA announced the discovery last year.
The senators point out that since the discovery many measures have been put in place to prevent the spread of BSE in the U.S. and that those measures are based on science and in harmony with international animal health standards.
“Continued delay of beef trade with the United States suggests that Japan prefers subjective solutions to animal health and food safety issues over sound science and risk assessment,” the senators added. “Without these exports, our beef market is losing one of its greatest opportunities for growth and job creation.” Sen. Talent also added that Japan’s demands have been unreasonable and have no scientific basis.
U.S. beef represents the single largest segment of American agriculture, accounting for roughly 20 cents of every agriculture dollar, and generating $3 billion-a-year in export business. In Missouri, agribusiness represents the second largest sector of the state’s economy.
Cattle-Fax Market Update
The fed cattle market was not well-established last week. Bids were $83 in the South and $83 to $84 live and $133 to $134 dressed in the North. These bids (for the most part) have been passed by sellers that are priced at $84 to $86. Boxed beef was lower early in the week, but improved late in the week after talks of reduced beef production over the next week or two. Volume on that side has been moderate to active, and cooler inventories are clean. Feeder cattle prices were steady to $1 higher, while calves and slaughter cows were both $1 higher. Supplies for replacement classes remain limited. Corn prices moved higher last week after a report was issued last Wednesday that had planned plantings this spring less than what the trade had been anticipating. -To join Cattle-Fax, call (800) 825-7525
Missouri Cattlemen’s Association News
MCA Leadership – Working for You in Washington, D.C.
MCA leadership, members and staff traveled to Washington, D.C. last week to update the Missouri congressional delegation on issues important to the cattle industry as part of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association Spring Conference. Missouri’s delegation, consisting of Rusty Kahrs, Ken Disselhorst, Tom and Loretta Broderick, Sheri Spader, and Executive Vice President Brent Bryant, also had the opportunity to meet with officials from the USDA, EPA, Farm Service Agency and the Packers and Stockyards Authority. The key priorities MCA worked on included explaining MCA policy on mandatory animal identification, stressing the importance of science based decisions on BSE testing and working to reopen closed export markets.
“We had a very productive week of meetings,” said Rusty Kahrs, MCA President, “The representatives from Missouri we met with were very solid in their support of Missouri’s cattlemen and women.”
MJCA Members Attend Youth Beef Industry Congress
Four members of the Missouri Junior Cattlemen’s Association (MJCA) attended the Youth Beef Industry Congress (YBIC) in College Station, Texas, March 25-28. YBIC was created in the early 1980s to bring together young adults from across the United States to further their knowledge and understanding of today's beef business and develop their abilities as leaders, communicators and industry spokespersons. Nationally known speakers, industry leaders and motivators are invited to address YBIC participants on issues and topics of the industry and to conduct hands-on leadership workshops and training. YBIC participants all share a common interest - beef cattle. They are the junior leaders of national beef breed associations and state junior cattlemen's associations. YBIC offers an opportunity for youth from these groups to interact and learn more about each other's junior programs. Exchanging ideas and making connections in the beef industry are important aspects of YBIC. Highlights of the 2004 YBIC program included Nolan Ryan’s Tender Aged Beef, Texas A&M’s Beef 706 Course, and a visit to the Camp Cooley Ranch in Franklin, Texas.
MJCA participants Rachel
Bartholomew, Archie, Zach Kinne, Eagleville, Lacy Jewell, Kidder, and Chelsea
Moffitt, Kirksville, are part of a task force that is working to reorganize the
Missouri Junior Cattlemen’s Association. The first annual meeting of the
Missouri Junior Cattlemen’s Association will be held in conjunction with the MCA
All Breeds Junior Show on Saturday, June 12, 2004 at 8:00 p.m. in the Youth
Building at the Missouri State Fairgrounds.
Help Beef Up Missouri Troops in Iraq
The Missouri Cattlemen’s Association, Missouri Beef Industry Council, Missouri Association of Meat Processors, and the Missouri Farm Bureau are teaming up to send beef to Missouri troops in Iraq. The plan, set forth by the Missouri Association of Meat Processors (MAMP), calls for one pound of Missouri Beef Jerky to be sent to every Missouri National Guardsman in Iraq. Missouri’s troops include 1175 soldiers in 9 units. Donations of both cattle for processing and money for postage are needed to make this program a success.
MCA members, county associations, and businesses are encouraged to donate cattle, preferably lean cows, which may be delivered to any participating USDA plant that belongs to MAMP. Cash donations are also needed to help cover the cost of postage. Find out how you can help our Missouri troops eat beef by contacting Brent Bryant at (573) 499-9162 or Ronnie and Roger Alewel at (660) 827-0005.
Membership & Recruiting Update
MCA Membership Continues to Grow – over 910 new members in six months! In addition to our dedicated recruiters, direct mail campaigns have been successful in increasing awareness of MCA and bringing in new memberships. For those of you keeping track, here are the top five counties and recruiters as of 4/6/04:
Top 5 Counties (New members since 10/1/03):
Top 5 Recruiters (New members recruited since 10/1/03): Wayne Seider, Macon County Junior Cattlemen’s Association, David “Blue” Geier, Sam Hostetler, and Tim Love.
Congratulations!
Calendar of Events
June 12-13 MCA All-Breeds Junior Cattle Show – State Fairgrounds, Sedalia
June 15 MCA Board of Directors meeting, followed by fundraising dinner – Cattle Industry Headquarters, Columbia
June 16 Cattlemen’s Classic Golf Tournament - Lake of the Woods Golf Course, Columbia
June 17 Missouri Cattle Women Board of Directors meeting - Columbia
County Meeting Notices
4/8/04 Polk County – Polk County Fairgrounds, 7:00 p.m.
4/10/04 Tri-County Cattlemen – Shady Dell Community Center, 7:00 p.m.
4/13/04 Bates County – MO-Kan Livestock Market, 7:00 p.m.
4/17/04 Audrain County – Sale Barn, 7:15 a.m.
The Fine Print
This newsletter is a publication of the Missouri Cattlemen’s Association. All rights reserved – this newsletter may not be reproduced, in whole or in part, without permission of the Missouri Cattlemen’s Association. Did someone forward this message to you? To subscribe yourself, contact Luke Burbank or McKenzie Keedy at (573) 499-9162 or send an email to cattleinfo@mocattle.com.
Do you have questions, comments or suggestions? Would you like to advertise in our newsletter? If so, please contact McKenzie Keedy at mckenzie@mocattle.com.
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