TheBeefSite Newsletter - 16 March 2011

Welcome to this week's newsletter

Editorial: Canadian Beef Producers Benefit From Strong EU Imports

Since the new duty-free access for Canadian beef announced last November, Canada Gold Beef has shipped over 120 metric tonnes of Canadian hormone-free beef, worth more than C$1.5 million, to European Union (EU) markets.

"The European Union is Canada's second largest trading partner. Securing access for Canada's beef and cattle in this market is great news for the industry and highlights our Government's commitment to expanding access for Canadian products to key markets," said International Trade Minister Peter Van Loan.

"The European market represents a great opportunity for producers to sell more Canadian beef. Removal of the tariff will now allow us to better compete with other exporting nations. Europe will be a growing market for us," said Dr Christoph Weder of Spirit View Ranch who recently participated at a marketing event featuring Canadian beef in Brussels.

At the National Farmers' Union conference in the US, members were informed of what to expect from the 2012 Farm Bill, which has been described as "the most significant piece of legislation" that farmers will have to deal with in the next year.

The Union called on Congress to include a strong safety net in the 2012 Farm Bill. “The next farm bill must include a farm safety net for producers that will provide meaningful assistance for family farmers to stay in production,” said NFU President Roger Johnson.

Charlotte Johnston

This Week's Feature Articles

We have 4 new features this week:

Nutritional Composition of Forage-Fed Ruminant Meat
A major analysis of the, sometimes contradictory, scientific evidence by the World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF) concluded that high red meat consumption increases the risk of bowel cancer, while high white meat consumption does not, the Soil Association state in the appendix to a briefing on "The Role of Livestock in Sustainable Food Systems".

US Farm Economy in 2011: What's in Store?
Prospects for the US farm economy appear bright, but the sharp rise in crop prices has created some anxiety Dr Joseph W. Glauber, Chief Economist of the US Department of Agriculture told the 2011 Agricultural Outlook Forum, writes Rachel Ralte, Junior Editor for TheCattleSite.

Canada's Farm Income Forecast For 2010 And 2011
2011 preliminary forecasts indicate a decline in farm income as increased crop and livestock receipts get offset by higher expenses and reduced programme payments, according to the latest forecast from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.

Feed Outlook - March 2011
World coarse grain production and beginning stocks forecast for 2010/11 are reduced this month, lowering supply 2.5 million tons, according to the latest report from the USDA Economic Research Service.

Company News

VIV And ILDEX Tie Up In India
INDIA - VNU Exhibitions Europe and NCC Exhibition Organizer (NEO) have decided to bring their respective brands of VIV and ILDEX together together in India next year for VIV/ILDEX India 2012.

Global Beef Cattle Industry News