As part of the U.S.-China 100-Day Action plan announced on May 11, 2017, by U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross and Secretary of the Treasury Steven T. Mnuchin, the Trump Administration has taken important steps toward commercial shipment of U.S. beef and beef products to China for the first time since 2003. These shipments are results of the U.S.-China Comprehensive …
Meat Production Forecast Lowered
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) latest World Agriculture Supply and Demand Estimates report was released last Friday, and in the Livestock, Poultry, and Dairy section, the forecast for total meat production for 2017 was lowered from last month but is raised for 2018. Beef production for 2017 was lowered primarily on lighter carcass weights which more than offsets higher …
Brazil State-controlled Bank Cuts Credit Lines to JBS SA
A state-controlled bank in Brazil has cut credit lines to meat processor JBS SA, following the plea bargain deal in which the company’s majority owner admitted paying bribes to Brazilian politicians. Meat industry publication Meatingplace reports the bank decided to review the conditions of JBS’ credit limit, and of a loan expiring in 2018. Reuters previously reported that the Brazilian …
R-CALF Seeking U.S. Investigation into JBS Scandal
R-CALF, the Ranchers-Cattlemen Action Legal Fund, United Stockgrowers of America, is calling on the U.S. federal government to investigate a corruption scandal by meat processor JBS. R-CALF USA sent a comprehensive, 11-page request to President Trump, Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley, Attorney General Jeff Sessions and Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue for a full investigation and strict antitrust enforcement action …
U.S. Meat Export Potential to Ecuador
Earlier this week, the U.S. Ambassador to Ecuador discussed market conditions in that country and ideas for expanding U.S. beef and pork exports to that market. Joe Schuele has the story. Read more about a “Surf and Turf” reception recently conducted by the U.S. Meat Export Federation at Ambassador Chapman’s Quito residence. At the event, U.S. beef and …
Beef and Pork Exports Moderate in April, Remain Above Year-ago Levels
U.S. red meat exports last month slowed moderately from the pace established in March, but were still significantly higher year-over-year, according to the U.S. Meat Export Federation. Beef exports reached 99,000 metric tons in April, up 13 percent from a year ago, valued at $550.4 million. For January through April, beef exports were up 14 percent in volume and 18 …
‘Pink Slime’ Trial Underway in South Dakota
It’s been roughly five years since ‘pink slime’ was a buzzword in the national media. A Reuters report says the Beef Processors, Incorporated, $5.7 billion defamation lawsuit against ABC television is underway this week in Elk Point, South Dakota. BPI claims ABC television, owned by the Walt Disney Company, and ABC reporter Jim Avila, defamed the company by calling its …
Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman on U.S. Beef to China
U.S. trade officials are meeting this week with counterparts in China to finalize trade protocols regarding the export of U.S. beef to China. The move follows last month’s announcement that the U.S. and China reached an agreement to restart U.S. beef exports to China, sidelined since 2003. However, as the Financial Times reported last week, China already has access to …
NCBA Sees Great Market Potential for Beef in China
There’s been a lot of talks the past few weeks about U.S. beef heading back to China once again. Kent Bacus, with the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, told a group at the recent Montana Ag Summit that he expects beef sales to grow tremendously once U.S. beef is allowed back into China. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Track Record Well …
BPI Lawsuit Against ABC Going to Trial
A lawsuit by Beef Products Inc. (BPI) alleging defamation by ABC-TV will head to trial next week. BPI is seeking $1.9 billion in the lawsuit against ABC and correspondent Jim Avila for a series of stories the network ran on BPI’s signature product, Lean Finely Textured Beef, which was referred to as “pink slime” in those reports. Jury selection began …