The US Meat Export Federation released its monthly report yesterday detailing last December's final numbers, which revealed a very strong finish at the end of 2016 for red meat, particularly pork. According to the report, pork exports set a new record volume of product shipped beyond our borders.

Pork export volume reached a record 2.31 million metric tons in 2016, up 8 percent year-over-year and 2 percent above the previous high in 2012. Export value increased 7 percent from a year ago to $5.94 billion.

Exports accounted for 25.8 percent of total 2016 pork production and 21.5 percent for muscle cuts - up from 24.2 percent and 20.8 percent, respectively, in 2015.

In fact, in a remarkable second half push in 2016, pork export volume to Mexico set its fifth consecutive record at 730,316 mt - breaking the previous record by 2 percent. And in exports to Hong Kong and China, a new volume record was set at 544,943 mt and broke the $1 billion mark for the first time.

For more highlights on last year's pork export performance, or to learn about beef and lamb's overall performances, click here to read the full story and see the actual report.

Last fiscal year, the Certified Angus Beef program sold 1 billion pounds of CAB Certified beef. But what about this fiscal year? I spoke with CAB's president, John Stika, and according to him, the program is already setting a record pace and is on track to exceed a billion pounds in 2017.


"After growing 15 percent last year, we're growing another 13 or 14 percent already here this year through our first quarter that started back in October," Stika reported. "And it's interesting. We're seeing that growth across all categories."


Upwards of 13 to 14 percent growth has been noted in the program's retail, food service and international business across the board. The question now is, how will the folks behind CAB keep this momentum going?


"What continues to resonate is the fact that that product has got to continue to perform in the eyes of the consumer for juiciness, tenderness and flavor," he said, crediting producers' hard work in achieving this level of quality. "We're starting to see uniformity and agreement among the stakeholders in the beef community that, 'Hey - we need to target that kind of endpoint for high-quality beef if we want to be sustainable across all segments."

Listen in as Stika and I discuss CAB's recent success and what it will take to continue on that path, on yesterday's Beef Buzz - click here.

In celebration of both Oklahoma's wheat industry and its 20th anniversary of operation, the Robert M. Kerr Food and Agricultural Products Center is hosting a contest to encourage the state's 4-H members to participate in Bake and Take Month.

The Bake and Take promotion encourages participants to bake a product made from wheat and take it to friends, relatives or neighbors, said Renée Albers-Nelson, FAPC milling and baking specialist.

To participate in the contest, 4-H members or clubs are to make a cake or cupcakes from scratch using at least two Made in Oklahoma ingredients. The cake or cupcakes must employ the theme of FAPC's 20-year anniversary, using decorations, candles, frosting, edible graphic elements and similar materials.

Winners in each category will receive $100 total for the group or individual, a FAPC anniversary swag bag and tickets to the 2017 Oklahoma State Sugar Art Show during the Tulsa State Fair.

"Not only is the contest a great way to learn more about products made with locally grown wheat and Made in Oklahoma ingredients, but it also helps FAPC celebrate its 20-year anniversary of supporting the growth of value-added food and agricultural products and processing in Oklahoma," she said.

To learn more about FAPC's Bake and Take promotion or for more information about the contest, click here.

Leading pro-ethanol groups including the US Grains Council, the Renewable Fuels Association and Growth Energy, issued a letter to President Trump yesterday requesting that he "urgently" address China's recent implementation of protectionist trade barriers that has shut out U.S. exports of ethanol and distillers dried grains.

The letter states that the US ethanol industry is at risk of losing total export access to China after the Asian country conducted a lengthy investigation that led to an imposed preliminary anti-dumping duty, last September.

"President Trump's message of 'America First' with regard to trade policy resonated with the U.S. ethanol industry and farmers across the country," said RFA President and CEO Bob Dinneen. "China's growing demand for protein and renewable fuel has triggered significant investment to meet their needs. The sudden and unnecessary reversal in China's trade policy, and the barriers to U.S. imports they have imposed, have jeopardized our industry and penalized Chinese consumers. They need to end. We look forward to working with the President and his Administration to restore free and fair trade to the betterment of both."

Click here to read the whole story, see remarks by the other co-authors and for your chance to check out the letter for yourself.

In his most recent article from this week's Cow/Calf Corner newsletter, Dr. Glenn Selk of Oklahoma State University, guided readers through the correct method of treating
newborn calves with "acidosis," which hinders proper breathing.

"Acidosis is the result of the deprivation of oxygen and the accumulation of carbon dioxide that results from the passage of the calf through the birth canal. The excess of carbon dioxide results in a build-up of lactic acid - and therefore the acidosis."

According to Selk, every baby calf has a certain degree of respiratory acidosis. But should you encounter a situation  where a calf requires assistance, first, begin with by clearing the airways with a suction bulb.

"Briskly tickle the inside of the nostrils of the calf with a straw. This will usually cause the calf to have a reflex action such as a "snort" or cough. The reflex cough or "snort" expands the lungs and allows air to enter. Expect the calf to pant rapidly for a few minutes after breathing is initiated. Panting is the natural response that increases oxygen intake and carbon dioxide release and will allow the calf to reach normal blood gas concentrations."

Click here to read Dr. Selk's complete article for further instruction on this method of treating acidosis in newborn calves.

The 2017 Commodity Classic, the nation's largest farmer-led, farmer-focused convention and trade show, will be held March 2-4, 2017, in San Antonio, Texas.

This year's show will live up to that distinction, featuring more than 400 exhibitors commanding more than 2,200 booth spaces filled with a wide range of technology, equipment and innovation, plus representatives from many of the world's leading agribusiness companies.

The trade show is just one of the many reasons to attend Commodity Classic, though. In addition to the General Session, Commodity Classic offers a wide range of educational sessions including Learning Centers, What's New Sessions, Mini What's New Sessions, Early Riser Sessions and the AG CONNECT Main Stage on the trade show floor. Commodity Classic also includes entertainment and the opportunity to network with thousands of America's best farmers.

Click here for detailed information on all educational sessions and the entire Commodity Classic schedule.

It's sale day for the folks at Superior Video Livestock Market with a total of 23,500 head to be offered today.  The sale starts at 8:00 AM central time.

Included in the offering- 7,000 Yearling Steers, 5,400 Yearling Heifers and 9,400 Weaned Calves.

Click here for the Superior Livestock website for more information- and you can click here for the Superior Click to Bid page where the sale will be kicking off at 8:00 AM/

By the way-  details of the Fed Cattle Exchange sale from yesterday morning is up in our markets section on the left hand column of this email.

**********

By gosh and by golly- rain is back in the forecast by later on Sunday and especially for Monday and Tuesday- here is the 7 day Precipitation map posted on Twitter by our buddy Bryce Anderson of DTN- hopefully- we get all of that and maybe a little more:

**********

We have posted on our website an interesting story about the CIMMYT folks in Mexico shipping a large variety of seed they have been working with to Norway- headed for the so called Doomsday Vault not far from the North Pole. 

All told- the breeding project has sent over 150,000 seed samples to Norway for safe keeping- putting the seed into the Doomsday bank to "to guard against the catastrophic loss of maize and wheat seed and diversity, in case of disasters and conflicts."