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April 20, 2011


MARKETING...


Dillon Feuz
Dillon Feuz

In the Cattle Markets

Returns to a summer stocker operation.

On a weekly basis, I utilize Nebraska feeder-cattle auction price data, the current futures market for both live cattle and feeder cattle, and the present cost of gain based on current feed prices to project returns to backgrounding various weights of feeder steers and to finishing various weights of feeder steers. For the past several weeks, I haven't found many opportunities for positive returns in either of these cattle-feeding endeavors.

It appears, in spite of the very optimistic futures market, cattlemen are even more optimistic at the sale barn, and they are paying more for feeder cattle than can be justified with present futures prices. Now, perhaps they have contracted cheaper feeds and they can afford higher feeder-cattle prices. It may also be the case that prices of feeder cattle and fed cattle will increase more in the future than the present futures market expects, and this could also result in positive returns.

However … Read more.

CAB Seeks Clarity in GIPSA Rules

Certified Angus Beef LLC (CAB) President John Stika sent a letter to Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack in late March to explain the branded beef company’s stand against current wording in rule changes proposed by the Grain Inspection, Packers & Stockyards Administration (GIPSA).

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) agency last summer unveiled its proposed rule changes that govern livestock marketing. A divide soon appeared within the beef industry over lengthening the comment period, and whether the proposed changes themselves needed changes. "Fairness" debates began from coffee shops to editorials and letters to USDA expressing either support or concern over vague language. Read more.


Exports Positive in February

Beef, pork exports grow in volume, value through February.

The positive trend for U.S. beef and pork exports continued in February, with an increasingly large portion of total U.S. production going to international customers while returning more revenue to America's red meat industry, according to statistics compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF).

For the month of February, 27% of U.S. pork production was sold outside of the United States, with the incremental value of exports reaching $51.48 per head — vs. 25.2% and $43.81 last year. Total pork exports jumped 15% in value and 8% in volume vs. February 2010 totals.

At the same time, U.S. beef exports in February accounted for 12.9% of total production vs. 10.6% last year at this time, and the incremental value of beef exports per head of fed slaughter reached $182.12, compared to $126.50 last year. For the month, total beef exports were up 47.2% in value and 25% in volume over year-ago levels. Read more.


CAB® 3QQ

3 quick questions with Maggie O’Quinn

Darrell Mark
Maggie O’Quinn
Maggie O’Quinn was a dedicated 4-Her. She participated in cattle shows and on livestock judging teams with gusto. She was your typical Georgia “ag kid,” even graduating from her native state's land-grant university with a major in ag communications. Three days later she boarded a plane for a six-month stint in Guatemala.

In those days, she never imagined she’d be living the life she is today. Since joining the Certified Angus Beef LLC (CAB) international team in fall 1997, O’Quinn has traveled to 40 different countries to develop — and in many cases break into — the market for the Certified Angus Beef® (CAB®) brand. O’Quinn also serves on the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) 2011 Executive Committee.

Miranda Reiman chatted with her to see how her job as an executive account manager with primary focus on Latin America and the Caribbean differs from that of colleagues who serve in that role domestically. Read more.

CAB Export Expert on Quality

CAB’s Maggie O'Quinn shares why quality is important to export markets and provides an overview of how exports get from here to there.

Cattlemen know overseas markets are important to their bottom line. Maggie O’Quinn of Certified Angus Beef LLC (CAB) recently reminded producers how significant they are to exporters.

Speaking at the Georgia Cattlemen’s Association annual convention March 31, the CAB executive account manager for Latin America and the Caribbean explained the value of trade relationships, the logistics of exporting, and why producers should care. Read more.


The Magnitude of the Japan Earthquake
on Global Food and Agriculture

A special report issued by the Rabobank Food & Agribusiness Research and Advisory (FAR) group indicates the consequences of the earthquake and tsunami to Japan's agricultural and food industry could be dire. While the full impact of the earthquake and radiation are not yet understood, the report — which estimates the potential impact on six major sectors of Japan's agricultural industry — projects that food safety concerns and supply shortages will limit exports and cause imports to rise. Read more.


japan demonstrationUSMEF Relief, Recovery Programs Continue in Japan

Despite the presence of ongoing earthquake aftershocks and tens of thousands of displaced citizens, the U.S. Meat Export Federation's (USMEF's) Japan office is continuing with the vast majority of its scheduled programs in the No. 1 export value market for U.S. pork and No. 3 beef market. At the same time, it is actively involved in the relief effort. Read more.


Sara Snider
Sara Snider

The Source

Why third-party verification?

Unfortunately, the days of doing business on a handshake are gone. I think the agriculture industry probably held on the longest, but as our markets have expanded, so have the documentation requirements for our products.

When selling to a neighbor, you may still be able to get by on your "word." You tell him the breeding behind the calves, the shots that you have given, and you shake hands to seal the deal. But as you start selling your cattle across state lines or as an industry we start selling our product into export markets, the restrictions and requirements increase. The need to "prove" your marketing claims emerges. The way that is done is through third-party verification. Read more.


Hay Producers: Be Aware of Fire Ant Quarantine Rules

hay for exportFire ants often hitchhike in ag materials such as hay or nursery plants and infest new areas.

Arkansas producers selling a strong hay crop in a drought-driven market need to consider fire ant quarantine rules before shipping, according to the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture and the Arkansas State Plant Board.

With Texas and other areas sustaining drought conditions, the market for Arkansas hay is robust. Fire ants, a danger to humans, livestock and electrical equipment, often hitchhike in agricultural materials such as hay or nursery plants and infest new areas.

Terry Walker, director of the Plant Industry Division of the Arkansas State Plant Board, said if hay from Arkansas is shipped to a non-quarantined area, the hay recipient has to determine if the hay came from one of Arkansas' quarantined counties. Read more.


Angus Calendar

To view the Angus Calendar, a complete list of Angus sales, click here.



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