Cattle Industry News
U.S., Australia to Sign Free Trade Agreement This Month
WASHINGTON - U.S. Trade Representative Robert B. Zoellick recently announced that the U.S. - Australia Free Trade Agreement (FTA) will be signed on Tuesday, May 18, 2004, in Washington, DC. Zoellick will sign on behalf of the United States and Minister for Trade Mark Vaile will sign on behalf of Australia. This is the first FTA between the United States and a developed country since the U.S.-Canada Free Trade Agreement in 1988.
"American businesses, workers, farmers and consumers will soon have significantly increased ties to this good friend and valuable trading partner," said Zoellick. "Once Congress approves this agreement and it goes into effect, there will be an immediate cut in Australian tariffs on our manufactured goods, providing our industries with a helpful boost."
Australia is a major trade and investment partner of the United States, and in 2002 was America's 13th largest export market for goods, and the 9th largest if the European Union countries are considered as one destination. Two-way annual goods and services trade is approximately $28 billion, and two-way foreign direct investment is $60 billion. Australia purchases more goods from the United States than from any other country, and the U.S. enjoys a bilateral goods and services trade surplus of $9 billion. Each of the fifty U.S. states exports to Australia, and Australia is among the top 25 export destinations for 48 of the 50 states.
The U.S. has completed FTA's with eight countries - Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Australia and Morocco - over the past six months. New and pending FTA partners, taken together, would constitute America's third largest export market and the sixth largest economy in the world. In addition, this week the United States and Panama conducted the first round of free trade negotiations between the two countries. Next week the United States will begin the fifth round of negotiations with the SACU countries (Botswana, South Africa, Lesotho, Swaziland and Namibia) and will soon commence negotiations with Colombia and Thailand. The United States currently has FTA's with Israel, Canada and Mexico (NAFTA), Jordan, Chile and Singapore.
- United States Trade Representative Press Release
Cattle-Fax Market Update
Last week was exceptional with trade volumes all larger than a year ago in the three major feeding regions. Showlists are not expected to drop much this week, as feeders will continue to pull more cattle ahead of their scheduled out dates. At the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, live cattle were 65 cents higher at $88.30 on the April and 65 cents lower on the June at $80.40. Feeder cattle closed the week strong, with cash feeders up $2 to $4. Calf prices were firm to $2 stronger on the week. The wholesale beef market was $2 to $3 lower on the week, with moderate to active movement noted. The hide and offal was last quoted at $8.22, down three cents. In Missouri, 20,180 feeder cattle were reported sold with 546-lb. steers averaging $114.90.
-To join Cattle-Fax, call (800) 825-7525
Missouri Cattlemen’s Association News
Make Reservations Now for First Annual Cattlemen’s Steak Fry
Join fellow cattlemen and women for a great evening of steak, camaraderie, and fun. The first annual Cattlemen’s Steak Fry, hosted by Past Presidents of the Missouri Cattlemen’s Association, will be held June 15, 2004. Events start with a social at 4:00 p.m. and a ribeye steak dinner with all the fixings will be served at 6:30 p.m. Following dinner, two very special items will be offered at auction. Advance reservations are only $25 per person or $40 per couple, which includes dinner and all beverages. Tickets may be purchased at the door for only $30 per person or $50 per couple. To make reservations, please call Luke Burbank at (573) 499-9162 ext. 231.
Missouri Cattle Producers Support Troops by Donating Beef
Thanks to the generosity of a few Missouri cattle producers, our troops in Iraq will soon receive a special treat – beef jerky. The jerky is currently being processed and will be shipped to Iraq this summer. Sending beef jerky to Missouri troops was a joint effort by the Missouri Cattlemen’s Association, Missouri Beef Industry Council, Missouri Association of Meat Processors, and the Missouri Farm Bureau. Thank you to the following producers for their generous donation of cattle:
Dean Morey, Edwards, MO
Dave Chalk, Washington, MO
Carroll Family Farms, Dean Carroll and Family, Clarence, MO
Alewel’s Livestock Co., Roger and Ronnie Alewel, Sedalia, MO
Joplin Regional Stockyards, Mark Harmon, Carthage, MO
Beef Mobile: Coming Soon to a Livestock Market Near You
Missouri beef producers will soon receive firsthand information about how their beef checkoff dollars are used, courtesy of the "Beefmobile.” The Beefmobile is a van emblazoned with beef art which is used as a vehicle to travel the country, spreading good news about beef to consumers and distributing checkoff information to producers. To catch up with the Beefmobile, visit one of the following livestock markets:
Monday, May 10 Joplin Regional Stockyards, Carthage
Tuesday, May 11 Southwest Regional Stockyard, Springfield
Wednesday, May 12 Springfield Livestock Marketing Center, Springfield
Thursday, May 13 United Producers, Humansville
Friday, May 14 Olean Livestock Market, Eldon
Saturday, May 15 Chillicothe Livestock Market, Chillicothe
May is Beef Month - Celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the Hamburger
May is Beef Month in Missouri! The Missouri Beef Industry Council (MBIC) is offering up to $500 to County Cattlemen’s and Farm Bureau groups wishing to extend Beef Month Promotions. The allotment may be used for newspaper or radio ads, grocery store promotions, health awareness functions or any promotional materials to extend the efforts of the Missouri Beef Industry Council. Approval forms may be obtained by contacting Dawn Thurnau at the Missouri Beef Industry Council at 800-441-6242 ext. 223 or dawn@mobeef.com.
In honor of beef month and the 100th anniversary of the hamburger, MBIC is sponsoring a contest to find the best hamburger joint in Missouri. MBIC will host a reception at the winning restaurant. In addition, everyone who votes for the winner will be eligible to win a grilling package. To nominate your favorite burger joint, mail a card with the restaurant name, address, city, and owner or manager’s name (if known), as well as your name, address, telephone number, and e-mail address to:
Missouri Beef Industry Council, 2306 Bluff Creek Drive #200, Columbia, MO 65201
In next week’s Prime Cuts, the celebration of beef month and the 100th anniversary of the hamburger will continue as we feature 101 delicious hamburger recipes.
Membership & Recruiting Update
MCA Membership is about to reach a milestone – 996 new members have joined us since October! The 1000th new membership will come in soon!
Top Ten Recruiters (New members recruited since 10/1/03):
10. St. Clair County Cattlemen
9. Lewis and Marion County Cattlemen
8. David Moore
7. Ken Disselhorst
6. Vernon County Cattlemen
5. Tim Love
4. David “Blue” Geier
3. Sam Hostetler
2. Macon County Junior Cattlemen
1. Wayne Seider
Top Ten Counties (New members since 10/1/03):
10 (tie). East Central Cattlemen (29)
10 (tie). Pettis County (29)
8. St. Clair County (30)
7. Vernon County (31)
6. Johnson County (33)
5. Moniteau County (35)
4 (tie). Dallas County (40)
4 (tie). Macon County (40)
2. Audrain County (50)
And the number one county is. . . . .
1. Bates County, with 63 new members!
Congratulations and keep up the good work!
Calendar of Events
June 12-13 MCA All-Breeds Junior Cattle Show – State Fairgrounds, Sedalia
June 15 MCA Board of Directors Meeting – Cattle Industry Headquarters, Columbia
Cattlemen’s Steak Fry, hosted by MCA Past Presidents – Cattle Industry Headquarters, Columbia
June 16 MCA Allied Industry Meeting with special program on Animal ID – Cattle Industry Headquarters, Columbia
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
May 6 Texas County – Community Building at the Fairgrounds, 6:30 p.m.
May 10 Dallas County – Buffalo Livestock Market, 6:00 p.m.
May 11 Bates County – MO-Kan Livestock Market, 7:00 p.m.
May 13 Polk County – Polk County Fairgrounds, 7:00 p.m.
May 18 Boone County – Cattle Industry Headquarters, Columbia, 7:00 p.m.
MCA Points Sanctioned Shows
May 8 NEMO Preview Show, Kirksville
Gasconade County Preview Show, Owensville
May 9 North Missouri Prospect Show, Chillicothe
May 15 Pettis County Cattlemen’s Classic, Sedalia
May 16 Moniteau County Cattlemen’s Preview Show
For more information, please visit: http://mocattle.org/Word%20Documents/2004/2004%20Point%20Sanctioned%20Shows.pdf
The Fine Print
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