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US Beef and Pork Export Volumes Higher in First Half of 2016- But Values Under that of First Half 2015

 

U.S. red meat exports ended the first half of 2016 on a positive note, as June export values for both pork and beef were the highest of the year. June also marked the second consecutive month of solid year-over-year volume growth, according to statistics released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF). 

June beef export volume increased 2 percent from a year ago to 98,920 mt, while export value was $545.4 million, down 5 percent. First-half export volume was up 3 percent to 541,547 mt, while value fell 10 percent to $2.91 billion.

Exports accounted for 13 percent of total beef production in June and 10 percent for muscle cuts only - each down about 1 percentage point from a year ago. For January through June, these ratios were also 13 percent and 10 percent, respectively, steady with last year. Export value per head of fed slaughter was $250 in June and $249.67 for the first half - each down 14 percent from a year ago.

Pork exports reached 187,939 metric tons (mt) in June, up 8 percent from a year ago, while export value increased 11 percent to $505.4 million. For the first half of the year, pork export volume was up 2 percent to 1.1 million mt, but value was down 4 percent to $2.77 billion.

 

Read more about the latest USMEF report and listen to Joe Schuele with the USMEF team review the numbers,

How Will VFD Affect You? Five Things For Which Producers Will Be Responsible

 

As January 1, 2017 approaches - the date the Veterinary Feed Directive (VFD) officially goes into effect - Dr. Kathy Simmons of the National Cattlemen's Beef Association, is optimistic that all those involved and impacted by the rule will experience a smooth transition as they make necessary preparations on their respective ends.


"We hope we're going to have a smooth transition, we always hope that," Simmons said. "I think everybody who's involved has been working towards that end point. I think veterinarians have been... working to make sure that everybody understands, how you complete a VFD."


Dr. Simmons says veterinarians, producers and feed distributors alike, are currently educating themselves on the VFD drugs that are available right now, how they plan to use them in the future for their herd and how products will best be transitioned in the wake of new labelling changes.


For producers, Dr. Simmons says the most important thing to do now in preparation of VFD's January 1 date, is to establish a VCPR, or veterinarian-client-patient relationship. This will help the transition immensely if done prior to the start of the new year. 


With this working relationship established, producers will be able to focus on their responsibilities under VFD which include:


- Using products only per the VFD order as instructed (i.e. duration, dosage, number of animals treated, etc.)


- Using VFDs within the expiration period of the order


- Having VFD orders available for FDA inspection and copying if requested


Listen to Dr. Simmons explain more about the upcoming transition to using medically important antimicrobial drugs under VFD regulations during the latest Beef Buzz.

Strong Resistance in Varieties Key to Staving Off Disease in Canola Crops

 

Oklahoma canola farmers were fortunate in 2016 when it came to disease problems, according to Dr. John Damicone of Oklahoma State University. Dr. Damicone says that this past growing season really saw only limited problems arise during the life of the 2016 crop. We talked with him at the recent Canola educational event held in Lahoma.


"If you pick up a book on canola diseases, it's probably 200 pages long and has lots of problems that can happen in canola," Damicone said. "We've had Blackleg show up pretty much all over the state. But I think our varieties are resistant enough where it's not hurting us too badly."


Aside from Blackleg, which causes stem cankers, Dr. Damicone says canola farmers should also look out for other diseases like Sclerotinia, a very persistent soil born disease that causes aggressive stem rot, killing the plants. He says this is a disease farmers do not want to get in their crop. He encourages producers to only plant canola in the same field once every three or four years to keep Sclerotinia levels from building up.


If disease does break out in your crop, Damicone says there are good fungicides readily available to combat the problem, however, he says that would significantly add to production costs, ruining profit margins. He says the best bet, is to sow strong, resilient canola varieties that will keep diseases at bay.

 

You can read more- and hear our conversation with Dr. Damicone by clicking or tapping here.

Backlog of Chinese Corn to Influence Corn Prices and Supplies for a Decade

 

The Rabobank folks have a new study they have just released that is entitled "Lost in the Maize: China's Corn Rebalancing Effort Is a Long and Winding Road."  They contend that it will take the Chinese years to move the huge stockpile of corn they have built up in the central plan for agriculture.  

 

According to the study- "China has already announced plans to end its costly corn stockpiling program, effective as of the 2016/17 new crop. The government is striving to relieve supply-demand imbalance and cut massive inventory by to reducing corn acreage in non-core areas, impeding imports of substitutes and stimulating domestic consumption. Rabobank expects China's corn production to decline gradually in the coming years, while feed and industry use are likely to increase steadily, at mid-single-digit rates, driven by the country's urbanisation and economic recovery.  

 

"Based on Rabobank's scenario analyses, the whole de-inventory procedure could take more than a decade. However, equally important this corn policy reforms have a strong impact on the international trade well beyond the corn market. China's massive feed grain imports, which account for 70% of the global traded sorghum and 25% of barley, will significantly slow down, while domestic corn price decline and local corn consumption rises."

 

 

Our farmers who grow milo saw really strong prices a year or so back when it seemed like every bushel that was available was being snapped up by the Chinese- it looks like this policy move being made by the Chinese government has made another year like that one very unlikely anytime soon.

 

Cut Grass Now to Cut Feed Costs Later

 

Dr. Glenn Selk, Oklahoma State University Emeritus Extension Animal Scientist, offers herd health advice as part of the weekly series known as the "Cow Calf Corner" published electronically by Dr. Derrell Peel and Dr. Selk. This week, Dr. Selk offers tips to cut your winter feed costs by stockpiling bermudagrass in the summer.


Harvested forage costs are a large part of the production costs associated with cow-calf enterprises. A 16 year-old OSU trial had the objective to economically evaluate stockpiled bermudagrass. The research found that this practice can reduce cow-wintering costs.


Forage accumulation during the late summer and fall is variable from year to year depending on moisture, temperatures, date of first frost and fertility. 


The OSU research has found that 50 to 100 pounds per acre of actual nitrogen fertilizer applied in the late summer has produced 1000 - 2000 pounds of forage per acre. In some ideal situations even more forage has been produced. 


Studies between 1997 and 2000 found stockpiled bermudagrass protein concentrations were quite impressive, even after frost. In November, the range of protein content of the standing forage was 13.1% to 15.2%. The protein held up in December and ranged from 12.5% to 14.7% and declined to 10.9% to 11.6% in January. 


To make best use of the stockpiled forage, supplementation with 2 pounds of 14% to 25% protein feed beginning in early December is recommended. 

 

 

Click here for a list of recommendations for stockpiling bermudagrass pastures for best results and reducing winter feed bills.

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Artificial Insemination Can Add Rapid Genetic Change and Uniformity to Cattle Herds

 

Turning out a bull is easier than using artificial insemination (A-I), but is it better?


Not if you're counting the many benefits of A-I for beef cattle, says field expert Lorna Marshall of Select Sires.


"It allows you to improve the reproductive efficiency of your cow herd, because we shorten your calving interval," Marshall said, "we get more of those cows to calve in the first 21 days."


Marshall added that A-I can be used as a risk management tool to remove some of the risk that you would find with unproven bulls.


A-I also allows producers to pick and choose genetics that tailor fit their operation's marketing and feed environments. 


Click here to read more and to watch a video of Marshall explaining the benefits of adding artificial insemination to your herd's breeding program.

Noble Foundation Hires New Agricultural Economics Consultant

 

The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation has selected Myriah Johnson as a new agricultural economics consultant in the Agricultural Division.


As an agricultural economics consultant, Johnson will assist agricultural producers and land stewards by providing education and insight on the numerous financial decisions in agriculture.


"Production agriculture in Oklahoma and Texas is close to my heart, and I'm excited to assist farmers, ranchers and land managers with their work," Johnson said. "The Noble Foundation producer relations program provides the opportunity to work with agricultural producers and help them harness the power of their data, turning it into information that will improve their operations."


Johnson received her bachelor's degree in agricultural economics from Oklahoma State University. She received her master's degree in agricultural economics and doctoral degree in animal science from Texas A&M University.


"We are pleased to have Myriah join the Noble Foundation team," said Hugh Aljoe, Noble Foundation producer relations manager. "Her economics expertise provides us with a skill set that will have immediate benefit to the farmers and ranchers we serve."


Johnson grew up in Perry, Oklahoma, on a wheat, stocker and cow-calf operation.

 

 

Click here for a link to more information about Johnson.

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