As Meat Exports Lag 2012 Levels- April Signals Major Beef Export Milestone- Japan is Once Again Number One!  

April exports of U.S. beef and pork edged higher than the previous month but still lagged behind year-ago levels, according to statistics released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF).

While the overall trend for exports remains sluggish, driven by market access issues and oversupply of domestic product in key markets, several leading trading partners showed positive signs in April.

Beef exports to Japan were up sharply as the island nation regained its ranking as the No. 1 market for U.S. beef for the first time since 2003. At the same time, Hong Kong maintained its rapid growth pace and Taiwan continued its rebound from beta agonist-related issues that slowed exports last year.

While the boost in exports to Japan is encouraging - up 49 percent in volume and 44 percent in value versus the first four months of 2012 - USMEF President and CEO Philip Seng cautioned that Japan has a safeguard in place that will increase tariffs if beef import volumes rise too quickly. This safeguard, which was utilized by Japan in 2003 under similar circumstances, remains an important consideration for U.S. exporters and Japanese importers. 

Click here to read more. 

Ethanol Groups Chafe at Being Left Out of Congressional 'Blend Wall Barrier' Hearings

Ethanol producers groups came out swinging yesterday after the Turkey Federation offered testimony to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, Subcommittee on Energy Policy, Health Care and Entitlements.  Both Growth Energy and the Renewable Fuels Association, neither of which were invited to testify, blasted the hearings as one-sided.

Bob Dinneen, President and CEO of the Renewable Fuels Association, called the hearings "nothing more than a smokescreen meant to distract Americans from the real issues - our addiction to petroleum, our dependence upon foreign oil, the environmental damage from tar sands and fracking, and, let's not forget, high gas prices. Big oil created the blend wall barrier by refusing to allow access to the market for E85 and resisting with fear and misinformation the use of E15 for those consumers that want to use it."  (You can read more of his comments by clicking here.)

Growth Energy issued a statement reiterating their claim that "time and again the ethanol industry has definitively proven that only 17.5 percent of the corn crop is used for ethanol production, not over 40 percent as the Turkey Federation claimed in their testimony. Poultry groups conveniently forget to take into account that when ethanol is produced, only the starch, which makes up 1/3 of the kernel, is used in the production of fuel; the rest - including the oil, fiber and protein - is returned to the food chain in the form of a high-protein animal feed that is both less expensive than corn and is more nutritious." (Click here for more of Growth Energy's statement.)

Chad Willis of the National Corn Growers Association also weighed in on the hearings, saying, "It was a disappointment to hear the outcome of today's hearing on the RFS and blend wall.  During the summer months, when gas prices are typically the highest, consumers could have benefitted from a balanced discussion on the future and positive impacts of the renewable fuel industry. Unfortunately all we saw today were mistruths and a one-sided agenda."  (You can read more from the NCBA by clicking here.) 

House Ag Appropriations Committee Passes FY2014 Ag Spending Measure

The House Ag Appropriations Subcommittee marked up the fiscal year 2014 agriculture spending bill on Wednesday. The bill was released Tuesday. The proposed legislation totals 19.5-billion dollars in discretionary funding - 1.3-billion below the fiscal year 2013 enacted level, approximately equal to the current level caused by automatic sequestration spending cuts and 516-million dollars less than the President's request. The bill does not provide the money the Commodity Futures Trading Commission wants to implement the Dodd-Frank financial reform law and rejects the president's proposal to change the way food aid is provided.

House Appropriations Chair Hal Rogers of Kentucky, noting the nation relies on American farmers and ranchers to provide the food and products needed every day, ys this bill will fund critical agricultural programs to support farmers and ranchers, ensure the safety and sustainability of our food and drug supply and offer some needed help to families who are facing the dangers of hunger. Rogers says it's all accomplished while keeping a tight hold on spending and trimming unnecessary funds to make the most of every tax dollar. According to Subcommittee Chair Robert Aderholt - the funding in the bill will help keep America's agricultural research cutting-edge, maintain vibrant rural communities, provide nutrition to those most vulnerable, and keep our markets competitive while maintaining the safest food and drug supply in the world.  

Click here to read the bill's highlights.  

The measure passed by a voice vote- apparently on a party line split- Republicans voting in favor and Democrats offering opposition.  

Vilsack Outlines Vision for Agricultural Solutions to Environmental Challenges in Speech to the National Press Club

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today said that the Federal government must increase collaboration with producers, researchers and industry to develop the next generation of solutions that will help agriculture mitigate and adapt to modern climate challenges.

"Our farmers, ranchers and forest landowners are the most innovative on earth, and they're up to the task of meeting environmental challenges that lay ahead," Vilsack said. "We know what we're seeing on the ground - more intense weather events, and a greater number of them. USDA will be there to support the efforts of our farmers and ranchers to adapt to these new challenges, just as we have been for decades."

In a speech to the National Press Club, Vilsack stressed the need to work closely with farmers and ranchers who stand "on the front line" of risk adaptation - and he pledged that USDA will take steps to help producers adapt to new threats. He announced a number of new measures that USDA will take to help producers create new climate solutions.

Click here to read Vilsack's remarks or to watch a video summary of his plans. 

Natural Resources Committee Holds Hearing on Lesser Prairie Chicken

The House Natural Resources Committee held a hearing to determine the success of certain species conservation, including that of the Lesser Prairie Chicken. The hearing included discussion on the differences between state and federal best practices in the management of species.

Congressman Markwayne Mullin participated in the questioning portion of the hearing, citing the invested interest the state of Oklahoma already maintains in preserving the species and our heritage. Tyler Powell, Oklahoma Deputy Secretary of Environment, testified before the committee, at which point Congressman Mullin engaged him on what the state is actually doing on its own accord, without federal mandates.

"There isn't anyone who wants to take care of land better than we do," said Mullin. "My children are the fourth generation on the land that I grew up on. We want our wildlife to be there, but we also want to have a working partner in the process of conservation. Every time we allow an agency to get involved, one that doesn't have the personal connection to our land, they throw commonsense out of the window. These agencies start enforcing uniform mandates that do not fit our state. One size does not fit all. If states are permitted to do their due diligence, and succeed at conservation, the federal government should stay out of the process."

You can read more of this story by clicking here.
 

Beef Bits: Beef Board Budget, Reaction to Meatless Monday and Beef Buzzing With Jim Robb

National checkoff leaders this week approved a Cattlemen's Beef Board (CBB) budget of about $40.7 million for Fiscal 2014, reflecting a 5.6 percent decrease from the Fiscal 2013 amended budget, amid continued tight supplies and an expected slowing of cow slaughter.  The budget is based on projected beef checkoff assessment revenues of $39 million in the coming year, down slightly from 2013. In addition, it incorporates an estimated $1.7 million in FY13 funds returned from programs coming in under budget for the current year, plus funds that the Operating Committee decided last September to carry over from FY13 revenues to counter the revenue decline expected in FY14.  You can catch all the details by clicking here.

Proponents of "Meatless Mondays" worked their wiles on the San Diego, California, School Board this week.  The board voted 4-1 to serve meatless meals to students from kindergarten through eighth grade on Mondays.  The Alliance for Animal Agriculture called it for what it is: "a carefully orchestrated campaign that seeks to eliminate meat from Americans' meals seven days a week - beginning with Mondays."  Click here for more response from the AAA.

With drought easing in some cattle producing areas, ranchers are considering holding back more females to rebuild the nation's cow herd.  Jim Robb of the Livestock Market Information Center says cull cow prices which have been depressed are starting to firm up on the prospect and may start to climb as supplies get tighter.  Jim is my guest on the latest Beef Buzz.  Click here to listen.