NCBA says, "No beef, No deal."
Without beef, NCBA won't support the Korean trade agreement
Like many countries, South Korea closed its market to U.S. beef on December 24, 2003 after discovery of the United States' first case of BSE. Negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the U.S. and South Korea have been ongoing for more than a year now. Earlier today, after extending the deadline by several days, negotiators announced they had reached a trade agreement. While beef is addressed within the agreement, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative was unable to secure anything in writing regarding when the Koreans will fully open their market to U.S. beef.
NCBA members have said throughout this process that NCBA will not support the U.S.-South Korea Free Trade Agreement (FTA) until beef trade with Korea is resumed. Today, NCBA has not changed its stance. NCBA will not support a trade agreement that does not include beef.
America's cattlemen deserve access to the South Korean marketplace. U.S. beef and beef products are the safest in the world, and Korean consumers should have access to the same delicious U.S. beef they enjoyed prior to December 2003. There is simply no justifiable reason for the South Korean government to continue to ban imports of U.S. beef. Historically, South Korea represented the third largest market for U.S. beef and beef variety meat exports, valued at $815 million in 2003, prior to the border closing. If cattlemen are not allowed to sell beef in Korea, the benefits of this trade agreement and the potential of the Korean market hold little value to U.S. cattle producers.
NCBA will continue to closely monitor the situation on behalf of its members. As soon NCBA sees U.S. beef trade based upon OIE guidelines occurring between the United States and Korea, NCBA will then support the U.S.-South Korea FTA and the market access terms negotiated in the agreement.
For more on this topic, click Dow Jones Marketwatch or the NCBA Fact Sheet.
American Hereford Association Announces 2006 Dams of Distinction
MCA Members among Top 20 Ranches in Nation for Dams of Distinction
Each year the American Hereford Association (AHA) recognizes cows that meet the highest standards of cattle production with the Dam of Distinction honor. Females attaining Dam of Distinction status are recognized with “DOD” after their names in EPD Inquiry results at Hereford.org.
MCA members Leo & Jean Journagan, Springfield, Mo., rank among the top 20 ranches in the nation for the number of Dams of Distinction on their ranch, with a total of 22 Dams of Distinction. Missouri is the home of 82 Dams of Distinction, which makes the Show Me State rank 6th in the nation. Additional MCA members with Dams of Distinction include: Jim & Carla Bellis, Aurora, Mo.; Gregory Polled Herefords, Houstonia, Mo.; Heiman Herefords, Russellville, Mo.; Hendrix Cattle Company, Bismarck, Mo.; Tye Reynolds, Huntsville, Mo.; Jack & Mary Tayloe, Cuba, Mo.; Monty & Georgia Williamson, Mountain View, Mo.; and Ashley Zvacek, Holden, Mo.
For a complete list of all breeders with Dams of Distinction and information about program criteria, look to the April issue of Hereford World or visit Hereford.org.
- Information provided by the American Hereford Association
Missouri Cattlemen’s Update
Missouri Cattlemen’s Association Offers Disaster Relief Program
The Missouri Cattlemen’s Association Board of Directors yesterday approved a disaster relief funding package for Missouri cattle producers affected by winter storms. The disaster relief program, which is funded by the National Cattlemen’s Foundation Disaster Relief Fund, will provide reimbursement for qualifying items to cattle producers in counties declared a federal disaster area. Qualifying items include fencing supplies, generators and chainsaws used to repair damages incurred during winter ice and snow storms. The Disaster Relief program guidelines are as follows:
November 30, 2006:
Boone, Cole, Greene, Iron, St. Francois, Ste. Genevieve, Washington, or St. Louis County.
January 12, 2007:
Barry, Barton, Callaway, Camden, Christian, Cole, Crawford, Dade, Dallas, Dent, Franklin, Gasconade, Greene, Hickory, Jasper, Laclede, Lawrence, Maries, McDonald, Miller, Moniteau, Newton, Osage, Phelps, Polk, Pulaski, St. Charles, St. Clair, St. Louis, Stone, Warren, Webster, Wright, Bates, Benton, Boone, Cedar, Cooper, Douglas, Henry, Iron, Jefferson, Lincoln, Montgomery, Morgan, Taney, Texas, Vernon, or Washington County.
Fencing Supplies, Generator or Chainsaw
The Disaster Relief Program is available to all cattle producers in the counties listed above. Applications for the disaster relief program are available on the MCA website, www.mocattle.com, by calling MCA at (888) 499-9162, or from your local county cattlemen’s association. To qualify, applications must be postmarked by May 1, 2007. Disaster relief funds are a result of donations from individuals, associations, businesses and foundations to the National Cattlemen’s Foundation and National Cattlemen’s Beef Association.
Missouri Cattlemen's Association seeks Executive Vice President
The Missouri Cattlemen's Association is looking for an aggressive individual to serve as Executive Vice President. The individual should be knowledgeable of the beef industry. The individual will be responsible for overall management of all association activities. Strong communication skills are a must. Association and government affairs experience is a plus.
Individual must have the willingness to travel and to support the interests of a member-driven organization.
Interested individuals should send cover letter and resume, by May 1, 2007, to:
Missouri Cattlemen's Association
Merrel Breyer
2306 Bluff Creek Drive
Columbia, MO 65201
Linn County Cattlemen’s Association Reorganizes
The newly reorganized Linn Co. Cattlemen’s Association got off to a great start on Thursday, March 22, 2007. A packed crowd of boots and hats filled Fat Boys II Restaurant in Brookfield, with an overflow crowd dining outside of the banquet room. Over 85 local farmers, ranchers, and business men and women attended the event.
According to President Keenan Switzer of Bucklin, “Raising cattle is not only a business but also a way of life. The Linn Co. Cattlemen’s Association is a vehicle that we as can use to promote beef, good production practices, and our youth.”
“We hope the success of this event is reflective of what we are going to be able to do in the future,” Switzer said. “The cattle business is a huge part of Linn County and our state – and we intend to keep it that way.”
The working group that organized the evening hopes the association can provide informative meetings, effective beef promotions, and also scholarships for area youths. More than 30 new members paid their $50 dues to join the association, including several local businesses.
“No one has time to attend every legislative hearing, press conferences, and trade shows affecting our business,” Switzer added. “But we can join associations that are working to protect our way of life and the promotion of our product.”
For more information about the Linn Co. Cattlemen’s Association, contact Keenan Switzer, president, at (660) 695-4490.
Calendar of Events
April 5 Crawford County Cattlemen – Bourbon Community Center, 6:00 p.m.
April 10 Dallas County Cattlemen – Prairie Grove High School, Buffalo, 6:30 p.m.
April 10 St Clair County Cattlemen – Osceola High School Cafeteria, 7:00 p.m.
April 10 Bates County Cattlemen – MO-Kan Livestock Market, 7:00 p.m.
April 12 Warren County Cattlemen – Warrenton Firehouse, 6:30 p.m.
April 12 Polk County Cattlemen – Smith’s Restaurant, 7:00 p.m.
April 13 Johnson County Cattlemen – Johnson County Fair Grounds,
Cattlemen's Expo & Agri Trade Show, 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
April 14 Tri-County Cattlemen – Shady Dell Community Center, Richland, 7:00 p.m.
April 19 Mid-Missouri Cattlemen Annual Meeting – Miller Co. Regional Stockyards, 6:30 p.m.
For more cattle industry events, visit www.mocattle.com/calendar.htm
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, send an email to cattleinfo@mocattle.com.
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If so, please contact McKenzie Disselhorst at (573) 499-9162 or mckenzie@mocattle.com.