U.S., China Finalize Details to Send U.S. Beef to China

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 …

Dairy Groups Pledge to Work with Trump Administration on NAFTA Modernization

Two leading dairy groups said they will work with the Trump Administration to modernize the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) to make sure it safeguards open trade with Mexico and confronts increasingly protectionist dairy policies by Canada. In joint comments sent to the U.S. Trade Representative, the U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC) and the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) …

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 …

Weekly Livestock Market Report

Here are the Alabama and Georgia livestock market reports for the week ending June 9th, compiled by the Livestock Market News Service for both states.   AL Livestock Market Report: At Alabama Livestock Auctions for the week ended June 9, 2017, receipts at 21 markets totaled an estimated 11,300 head compared to 10,974 last week and 11,801 a year ago. …

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 …

USDA Seeks Nominees to the National Dairy Board

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is seeking nominations for the National Dairy Promotion and Research Board. Nominations must be submitted by July 10, 2017. The Secretary of Agriculture will appoint 12 dairy producers and one importer to serve 3-year terms beginning Nov. 1, 2017, and end Oct. 31, 2020. The selected representatives will replace board members whose terms expire …

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 …