TheBeefSite Newsletter - 17 August 2011

TheBeefSite Weekly Newsletter

Wednesday 17th August 2011

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Welcome to this week's newsletter

Editorial: US Returns to Top Spot as World's Top Beef Exporter

The United States has recaptured its position as the world's leading beef exporter, out-pacing Australia and Brazil. If the trend established in the first six months of the year holds up, US beef exports are likely to set several new records in 2011 and exceed the five-billion-dollar mark for the first time.

According to statistics released by USDA and compiled by the US Meat Export Federation (USMEF), June beef exports achieved the second-highest value ever at $461.8 million. This was 23 per cent higher than June 2010, and has been surpassed only once – by the March 2011 value total of $475.2 million.

In terms of volume, June beef exports reached 111,362 metric tons, an increase of 15 per cent over June 2010. This brought the cumulative 2011 total to 620,851 metric tons valued at $2.55 billion, which was 25 per cent higher in volume and 40 per cent higher in value than last year's pace.

North American markets lead US beef exports but Asia remains very strong. Mexico and Canada firmly established their positions as the No. 1 and No. 2 markets for US beef. June exports to Japan reached their highest monthly volume since 2003 and exports to South Korea and Hong Kong were also well up on last year.

To June, US beef exports to Central and South America were 51 per cent higher in volume than last year and 71 per cent higher in value, led by strong growth in Chile, Peru, Colombia and Guatemala. Beef exports to the Middle East also continued to post strong growth.

Meanwhile, in Japan, a leading beef producer has filed for bankruptcy. A company executive from Agura Bokujo says the nuclear disaster prompted an increases in cancelled contracts after radioactive elements were detected in beef.

The Tokyo District Court has ordered the protection of the Tochigi Prefecture-based firm's assets under the civil rehabilitation law. It had ¥61.99 billion in debts as of the end of March.

Agura Bokujo was established in 1979 and runs 370 farms, mostly through franchising, raising 145,000 cattle. It also solicits investments in cattle breeding and buys calves from cattle owners.

The previous week, the Japanese government had announced ¥85.7 billion in additional aid to deal with the problem of radioactive caesium being detected in beef at levels above the provisional government limit.

Jackie Linden

This Week's Feature Articles

We have 5 new features this week:

Potential Of Grass On Beef Farms
Grazed grass is the cheapest feed on beef farms and offers the most potential to increase profitability, according to researchers at Teagasc, Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre in Ireland.

Factors Affecting Ruminal Hydrogen Sulphide Concentration In Cattle
Ruminal hydrogen sulphide concentrations may be a useful tool to determine risk of cattle developing sulphur-induced polioencephalomalacia.

Corn - No Need To Choose Between Feed And Fuel
Beef and dairy farmers are better off since the implementation of the expanded Renewable Fuel Standard in 2007.

Feed Outlook - August 2011
Lower projected yields have reduced global production prospects, according to the latest report from the USDA Economic Research Service.

World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates - August 2011
Meat and poultry supplies are expected to remain stable while corn, wheat and oilseed supplies this month are forecast to be down, according to the August World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates.

Genus - Value through science and genomics

Company News

Merck Supports Recovery Of Japanese Animal Sector
NETHERLANDS & JAPAN - Merck Animal Health has donated about US$30,000 (¥2.3 million) to three veterinary and farmer associations in Japan to support recovery of the Japanese animal sector following the earthquake and tsunami.

New BRD Antibiotic Launches In September
GLOBAL - Merck Animal Health is hosting a symposium and reception to launch ZUPREVO® (tildipirosin) - a novel antibiotic for the treatment and prevention of bovine respiratory disease (BRD).

Global Beef Cattle Industry News