TheBeefSite Newsletter - 18 April 2012

Welcome to this week's newsletter

Editorial: Exploring the Beef Markets

A US/Colombia trade deal will be implemented on 15 May 2012. The free trade agreement (FTA) will immediately repeal the 80 per cent tariff Colombia currently has on high quality US beef. The agreement will also gradually phase out the tariff on all other cuts over the next 15 years.

Whilst the deal has been welcomed by the US beef industry, there are some concerns in Colombia that large volumes of US agricultural products may flood the market. The deal has also caused conflict between Colombian livestock and grain producers. Livestock producers are looking forward to importing cheaper grains for feed, however Colombian grain producers are calling for protection from US imports.

A Tariff Rate Quota (TRQ) on US corn will last for 12 years, so initially corn may not necessarily be cheaper for Colombian livestock producers.

For the US, beef exports in terms of value, remain strong. Volume exported in February (87,131 million tonnes) was three per cent lower than a year ago, but export value increased 10 per cent. In January and February beef exports totalled $815 million.

Exports to Russia increased 58 per cent in volume and tripled in value. Volumes of beef exported to the Middle East fell, despite exports to Egypt increasing by 13 per cent.

Despite the overall success of US beef exports, exports to three of the major markets were down in volume, including Mexico (six per cent), Canada (three per cent) and Japan (five per cent).

This week the Irish Minister of Agriculture has been in China to establish a Joint Working Group on market access for Irish beef to the Chinese markets.

Minister Simon Coveney said a delegation from the Chinese Inspection and Quarantine Service (AQSIQ) will visit Ireland in June to discuss beef market access further.

The UK has launched a range of its premium beef in Portugal, targeting the high end food service of the country.

With South Korea increasing beef production, Australia's hold on the market has softened. Exports to South Korea fell by 39 per cent in the first quarter of 2012 compared to last year.

With South Korean beef production expected to increase, Australia estimates a fall in beef exports to the country in 2012.

Charlotte Johnston

This Week's Feature Articles

We have 4 new features this week:

Epigenetics: A new Challenge in the Post-Genomic Era
While controversial, epigenetics does appear to offer potentially significant value to livestock genetic programmes. Oscar Gonzalez-Reico from the Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria, Madrid, Spain looks at the challenges faced in dealing with epigenetics.

Back to Basics: Beef Production Stages
The production year of the cow herd is typically broken down into four physiological stages of production. Amy Radunz, from the University of Wisconnsin reviews these stages and offers some key management strategies to consider during these periods.

Waste of Processed Product at Retail and Consumption Level
Roughly one-third of the edible parts of food produced for human consumption, gets lost or wasted globally, which is about 1.3 billion ton per year. Food is wasted throughout the food supply chain, from initial agricultural production down to final household consumption, writes Dr Ashleigh Bright from the Farm Animal Initiative.

Diagnosis of Experimental H-Type and L-Type BSE in Cattle
Researchers in the UK have reported on their observation of two clinical syndromes and the diagnostic challenges presented by these two atypical forms of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE). Difficulty rising was a consistent feature of both disease forms and they recommended modification of the usual diagnostic method in order to distinguish between typical and atypical forms of the disease.

Genus - Value through science and genomics

Market Reports

» USDA Feed Outlook - April 2012
» QMS Market Report - March 2012
» AHDB UK Market Survey - 13 April 2012

Company News

Be Strategic About Deworming this Year
US - Today, many cattle producers recognise that one-size-fits-all parasite control is not always the most effective approach. Rather than looking for a single solution, a strategic approach that considers geography and timing can help ensure that you get the results you expect from your deworming programme.

Make the Most of Calf Vaccinations
US - It’s often said that the most expensive vaccine is one that fails to work. And with current calf prices, it’s crucial that producers protect their calf crop just like any other investment — starting with guarding against summer pneumonia at branding or summer turnout, writes Michael Nichols,DVM, Cattle and Equine Technical Services, Pfizer Animal Health.

Don't Just Treat Parasites at Housing
UK - As cattle are being turned-out across much of the UK, leading animal health company Merial is urging farmers to keep on top of parasite control.

Global Beef Cattle Industry News