Red meat exports during the month of March, set a red-hot pace, trying to keep orders filled and demand met. Yesterday, the US Meat Export Federation published its report for April, which revealed the pace of exports has actually cooled down some, though, compared to year-over-year numbers, is still performing very well.

According to the report, beef exports reached 99,786 metric tons in April, up 13 percent from a year ago, valued at $550.4 million, up 14 percent. For January through April, beef exports were up 14 percent in volume and 18 percent in value compared to the same period last year.

At the same time, pork exports followed a record-breaking March with a solid April performance, reaching 203,091 mt - up 8 percent from a year ago and the largest April volume on record. Export value was up 11 percent to $517.5 million. For January through April, pork exports increased 15 percent in volume and 19 percent in value.

On a per-head basis, the export value of beef fed slaughter averaged $283.52 - which is up 12 percent from a year ago and is so far the highest of 2017. The value of slaughter hogs also has trended much higher than a year ago - averaging $55.39 for April, up 11 percent.

"While April was a very solid month for U.S. red meat exports, we remain in an extremely competitive situation across the world and must stay aggressive with our marketing efforts," said Philip Seng, USMEF president and CEO. "It is especially gratifying to see our per-head return growing in 2017, even as slaughter numbers are on the rise. But this is also not lost on our competitors, who will quickly fill the void if we do not defend our market share. This is why the continued investment of checkoff dollars and USDA funding in international market development is so critically important."

Asian markets continue to drive beef export growth currently, while Mexico remains the top US customer for pork, as demand in China seems to be softening.

To get the full breakdown of the performance of red meat exports during the month of April, click here, and check out the full report from the USMEF.

After much weakness in our cash cattle markets leading up to Memorial Day this year, cash cattle trade seemed to bounce back rather strongly immediately following the holiday. Jim Robb of the Livestock Marketing Information Center told me that there are many things at play here, causing one of the more unique situations we have seen in beef markets since a similar one back in 2003, which has resulted in unseasonably robust beef demand.


"I think the nature of the market is getting clearer and clearer," Robb remarked, calling attention to changes that have started to evolve in the markets. "The 'swap,' what we call it - This is underpinned by the demand profile in the marketplace and the demand specifically for beef and individual beef cuts."


Painting a picture, Robb cited as an example, an all-time record set by rib cuts this past week, after the item was featured across grocery stores and restaurants. According to Robb, that cut was put up over $100/cwt compared to March.


"That's a strong demand indicator," Robb noted, saying that it's being seen both domestically and abroad, too. Robb says, there is a whole host of reasons why this trend is retaining momentum, least of which, he attributes to the fact that the market is changing. "The marketing rate - it's been more driven by demand and not the level of fed cattle."


Listen to Robb explain, in detail, the causes driving recent demand strength and volatility in the beef markets over the last several months, on yesterday's Beef Buzz - click here.

Sentiment regarding producers' confidence in the ag economy has remained unchanged over the last month, according to the latest reading of the Perdue/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer.

For the second consecutive month, producer sentiment has been measured at 130, continuing an overall trend of higher optimism compared to feelings recorded last fall, during one of the most depressive times since the barometer has been in use.

Trade expectations apparently played a major role in the outcome of this month's reading of the barometer.

A majority of producers polled say they favor NAFTA renegotiation efforts being undertaken by the Trump administration, believing a new or revised agreement would be beneficial to the US ag industry.

The sub-indices of the barometer confirm producers' optimistic outlook on the future. While attitude towards current conditions dropped 10 points from the previous month at 127 to 117, the index for future expectations shot up four points from 132 to 136.

"Agricultural producers continue to be more optimistic about future economic conditions than they were before the November elections," said Jim Mintert, the barometer's principal investigator and director of Purdue University's Center for Commercial Agriculture. "There are multiple reasons behind producers' optimism. For example, in previous surveys, just over 40 percent of respondents said they expected a more favorable regulatory environment for agriculture in the next five years than in the recent past."

This reading marks the fifth month out of the last six that producers have remained confident and optimistic about the ag economy, keeping the needle hovering around the 130 mark during that time.

You can read more about this month's Ag Economy Barometer reading or see the report from the Perdue/CME Group for yourself, by clicking here.

The United States and Mexico Tuesday agreed to end a dispute regarding the trade of sugar ahead of renegotiations of the North American Free Trade Agreement. NAFTA talks are expected to begin in August, and experts say the sugar agreement shows promise regarding the NAFTA efforts. 

Under the agreement, Mexico will cut its refined sugar exports to the United States from 53 percent to 30 percent. The deal is designed for Mexico to avoid the imposition of punitive tariffs due to a finding by the U.S. government that Mexico had sent the United States subsidized sugar, and that the sugar was sold at dumped prices. 

U.S. Grains Council CEO Tom Sleight called the agreement an important milestone as the Grains Council works to "maintain our existing, robust trade of U.S. grains and related products" ahead of the NAFTA talks. 

USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue said the agreement "sets an important tone of good faith" leading up to NAFTA renegotiations.

In a recent article, Amy Hays of the Noble Research Institute, takes a look at the generational flow in rural America, observing the current trends of how family farms and ranches are being passed down from one generation to the next.

Hays says that data currently suggests the transfer of operations from parents to their children is slowing down compared to what we used to see. People are living and working longer, delaying the hand-off.

She writes that 1982, the average age when the hand-off occurred was around the age of 50. By 2012, that number had trended up to 58, and it continues to grow currently.

Another worry, that's somewhat surprising, is the major differences between the population sizes of each generation. Hays notes that most people don't think about the fact that there is a much smaller pool of suitable replacement farmers for the current generation still running the farm.

According to Hays, it is estimated that over the next five years, approximately 10 percent of the nation's lands will transition. Many families will choose a nontraditional transition simply because available replacement farmers and ranchers are decreasing at a statistically significant level related to a lack of available numbers within the population.

In hopes of bringing this matter to the forefront of people's minds, Hays wants to encourage farmers and ranchers to start thinking about their own situation and begin formalizing a succession plan if they don't already have on in place.

To learn more, you can read Hays' full article on our website, by clicking or tapping here. 

Next month, the American Soybean Association and Valent USA will host the first Soy Leaders of the Future program. This is a new opportunity for young people interested in improving their understanding of major policy issues that impact soybean farmers, and the importance of advocacy.

The first class will take place this summer and will be held in conjunction with the ASA Board Meeting and Soy Issues Briefing, July 10-13, 2017, in Washington, D.C.

The program is designed to encourage future young leaders to consider careers within agriculture associations and industries, as well as government regulatory and legislative positions.

According to a release from the ASA, with the proportion of rural congressional districts at its lowest point in history, the U.S. agriculture industry needs more leaders in Washington, D.C. who understand the needs of farmers and the agriculture industry, especially as it relates to the development of policies and regulations that impact farm productivity.

Click here to read more about this program, or find information about how to join if you are interested in getting involved.

Glenn Selk shares a study in his article included in this week's
Cow/Calf Corner newsletter, that suggests intentional genetic selection in your herd can potentially reduce the chances of an outbreak of pinkeye in your cattle.

The effects of pinkeye don't stop with just simple conjunctivitis, but comes with a whole host of related issues.

"Eye infections sometimes lead to partial or complete blindness in one or both eyes. Reduced beef production in the form of lowered weight gain, milk production, body condition, and eventually even poorer reproduction can result from eye infections and lesions as well.

"Iowa State University animal scientists analyzed field data from ISU herds and cooperator herds in 2003 through 2005. They sought to estimate the genetic measurements that could aid in the selection of cattle resistant to Infectious Bovine Keratoconjunctivitis, commonly known as pinkeye. They found a decrease in weaning weight of 30 pounds per calf infected with pinkeye. The analysis of the field data revealed an estimate of 0.11 for heritability of resistance to pinkeye. This estimate is considered to be of low heritability, which indicates that only slow progress can be made based on selection for IBK resistance. It does mean that, over time, if we select replacements from cows that are not prone to having eye problems (especially pinkeye) we would be able to very gradually reduce the incidence of pinkeye in our herds."

Selk adds that properly fed, properly immunized cattle, with a strong immune system will also be more resistant to pinkeye, suggesting that the first line of pinkeye prevention begins with proper management practices.

Click over to our website to read Selk's full article on taking advantage of heritable traits to curb the risk of pinkeye in your herd.