Cattle Industry News
National Cattlemen’s Beef Association Leadership Visits Asia
NCBA Vice President of Government Affairs Chandler Keys is making an extensive trip through Japan, China and Thailand meeting with top government officials about beef trade issues. With Keys is Senator Max Baucus (D-Mont.), ranking member of the Senate Finance Committee, members of his staff, and a delegation of U.S. agriculture representatives and national industry groups. The Senate Finance Committee has jurisdiction over U.S. international trade policy. Last week, Keys met with Japanese officials to urge for the lifting of a ban on U.S. beef exports. The group explained the impressive components of the complex U.S. food safety system, producing the safest beef products in the world.
Mexican Anti-Dumping Tariffs on U.S. Beef Addressed
After being delayed six times, the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) panel has released a decision on the Mexican anti-dumping case. The NAFTA panel agreed that these tariffs were inappropriately applied. Since April 28, 2000, the Mexican government has imposed a complex set of specific duties on most beef carcasses and cuts on a company by company basis, with small and medium sized exporters disproportionately affected. Shortly thereafter in July 2000, a NAFTA dispute resolution panel was established after the U.S. strongly objected to the Mexican government actions. This case has cost U.S. beef producers millions of dollars in lost beef exports to Mexico, and NCBA is extremely pleased that the NAFTA panel agrees that the situation must be resolved.
Cattle-Fax Market Update
Fed cattle prices were steady to $2 lower last week. Southern trade took place at $86-87. Prices in the North ranged from $87 -88 live and $140-142 dressed. Volume was light to moderate. Cutout prices were steady to slightly higher. Feeder cattle prices were steady to $1 higher while calf prices were $1-2 higher. Commercial cow and bull prices were steady to $1 lower. -To join Cattle-Fax, call (800) 825-7525
Missouri Cattlemen’s Association News
Cattlemen’s Wednesdays at the Capitol Start Next Week
Wednesdays are cattlemen’s days. Beginning Wednesday, March 31, 2004, legislators in the State Capitol will begin to associate Wednesdays with visits from cattlemen across the state. Regular visits to the State Capitol will help strengthen the Missouri Cattlemen’s presence in Jefferson City and will help build stronger working relationships between cattle producers and legislative leaders. All MCA members are encouraged to participate in a Cattlemen’s Wednesday. For more information, please contact Brent Bryant at (573) 499-9162 or brent@mocattle.com.
Membership & Recruiting Update
MCA Membership Continues to Grow – over 820 new members in less than 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 3/24/04:
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 the Vernon County Cattlemen’s Association
Congratulations!
Calendar of Events
March 25-28 Youth Beef Industry Congress – College Station, TX
April 3 CMSU Steer & Heifer Show, Missouri State Fairgrounds, Sedalia
April 4 Holden FFA Alumni Preview Show, Holden City Park
June 12-13 MCA All-Breeds Junior Cattle Show – State Fairgrounds, Sedalia
June 15 MCA Board of Directors meeting, followed by MCA fundraising dinner – Cattle Industry Headquarters, Columbia
June 16 MCA Allied Industry Golf Tournament (benefiting the Missouri’s Cattlemen Foundation) – Lake of the Woods Golf Course, Columbia
June 17 Missouri Cattle Women Board of Directors meeting - Columbia
County Meeting Notices
3/25/04 Randolph County – Randolph Co. Shelter Workshop, Moberly 6:30 p.m.
4/1/04 St. Charles County – VFW Hall, New Melle, 6:00 p.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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