The Montana Stockgrowers Association, a non-profit membership organization, has worked on behalf of Montana’s cattle ranching families since 1884. Our mission is to protect and enhance Montana ranch families’ ability to grow and deliver safe, healthy, environmentally wholesome beef to the world.
U.S. pork and beef exports wrapped up an excellent 2016 performance with very strong December results, according to statistics released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF).
Pork export volume reached a record 2.31 million metric tons (mt) 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. December pork exports totaled 222,635 mt, up 18 percent year-over-year, valued at $564.2 million, up 20 percent.
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. December ratios were 28 percent for total production and 23 percent for muscle cuts only – up significantly from December 2015. Export value per head slaughtered averaged $50.20 in 2016, up 4 percent from the previous year. The December average was $56.06, up 24 percent.
Beef exports increased 11 percent in volume (1.19 million mt) and 1 percent in value ($6.34 billion) from 2015. December exports totaled 116,847 mt, up 24 percent year-over-year. This was the largest monthly volume since July 2013 and the largest ever for December. Export value was $619.1 million in December, up 22 percent.
Exports accounted for 13.7 percent of total beef production in 2016 and 10.5 percent for muscle cuts – up from 13.1 percent and 10 percent, respectively, in 2015. December exports accounted for 15.6 percent of total December beef production and 12.1 percent for muscle cuts only – each up more than 2 percentage points from a year ago and the highest since 2011. Export value per head of fed slaughter averaged $262.17, down 6 percent from 2015, but the December average was $301.97 – up 14 percent and the highest in nearly two years.
Pork to Mexico sets fifth straight volume record; China/Hong Kong also record-large
A remarkable second half pushed 2016 pork export volume to Mexico to its fifth consecutive record at 730,316 mt – breaking the previous record by 2 percent. Export value to Mexico totaled $1.36 billion, up 7 percent year-over-year and the second-highest on record, trailing only the $1.56 billion mark reached in 2014.
“At this time of record-large pork production, it would be hard to overstate the importance of Mexican demand to the U.S. industry,” said Philip Seng, USMEF president and CEO. “This is especially true for hams, as we are locked out of Russia – once a large destination for U.S. hams – and China’s demand for imported hams has moderated in recent months. So now more than ever, we need strong demand from our key customers in Mexico, and they have responded with extraordinary results. December exports to Mexico accounted for nearly $16 per head, and that’s absolutely critical to the entire U.S. pork supply chain.”
Though down from the high levels seen earlier in the year, December pork exports to China/Hong Kong were still up 40 percent year-over-year in volume (47,242 mt) and 42 percent higher in value ($96 million). For the full year, exports to China/Hong set a new volume record of 544,943 mt (up 61 percent) and broke the $1 billion mark for the first time ($1.07 billion, up 53 percent).
Other 2016 highlights for U.S. pork exports include:
Asian markets drive strong beef export growth
Driven by strong demand for higher-value chilled cuts, beef exports achieved new value records in South Korea and Taiwan in 2016, and rebounded strongly in Japan.
In Korea, December beef exports soared by 81 percent in volume (20,333 mt) and 88 percent in value ($130 million) from a year ago, capping a remarkable year in which exports totaled 179,280 mt (up 42 percent) valued at $1.06 billion – up 31 percent from a year ago and breaking the previous value record by more than 20 percent. Korea’s per capita beef consumption set a new record in 2016 of 34 pounds (carcass weight) – so the U.S. not only gained market share, but also capitalized on the market’s overall growth.
Beef exports to Taiwan were also strong in December, with export value ($43.3 million) hitting its highest level ever. Full-year exports to Taiwan were up 25 percent in volume to 44,053 mt and 14 percent in value to $362.8 million.
2016 exports to Japan were the largest of the post-BSE era at 258,653 mt, up 26 percent year-over-year. Export value totaled $1.51 billion, up 18 percent. Chilled beef exports to Japan totaled 112,334 mt, up 44 percent from 2015.
“In addition to the strength of the U.S. dollar, U.S. beef overcame other severe challenges in these north Asian markets and achieved remarkable results,” Seng said. “Despite facing higher tariff rates in Japan compared to Australian beef, U.S. beef displaced its competition and won back significant market share. And the investment the U.S. industry made to rebuild consumer confidence in Korea is paying tremendous dividends, especially in the retail sector. We’re seeing U.S. beef featured regularly by retailers who were once reluctant to carry the product.”
Other 2016 highlights for U.S. beef included:
Lamb muscle cut exports continue upward trend
Although U.S. lamb exports were down in 2016, this was largely due to a sharp decline in variety meat exports. While total exports fell 11 percent in volume (8,248 mt) and 4 percent in value ($18.3 million), muscle cut exports increased 26 percent (2,239 mt) and 16 percent ($12.3 million) respectively. Leading market Mexico followed a similar pattern, as variety meat exports declined significantly, but muscle cut exports increased 9 percent in volume (965 mt) and 1 percent in value ($2.8 million). Emerging markets showing promise in 2016 included Bermuda, the Philippines, Vietnam and the United Arab Emirates.
Complete January-December export results for U.S. beef, pork and lamb are available from USMEF’s statistics web page.
If you have questions, please contact Joe Schuele at [email protected] or call 303-547-0030.
NOTES:
Landowners have until March 30 to submit applications to Montana Fish, Wildlife, & Parks for enrollment in a new program called Unlocking Public Lands that may qualify a landowner for up to $3,000 in annual tax credits. Through this program, a landowner who enters into a contractual agreement with FWP to allow public recreational access across private land to reach a parcel of otherwise inaccessible state or federal Bureau of Land Management (BLM) or United States Forest Service (USFS) land is entitled to receive a $750 annual tax credit per contract, with a maximum of four contracts per year.
The Unlocking Public Lands program is a product of the 2015 Legislature, which expanded a program called Unlocking State Land passed by the previous legislature. While Montana contains nearly 31 million acres of BLM, USFS, and state land, much of this land requires landowner permission to cross private land to reach the state or federal land.
“Offering a tax credit in exchange for allowing public access across private land to reach public land is a unique and innovative way to increase public access,” said Ken McDonald, FWP wildlife division administrator. “We hope these new opportunities and incentives may appeal to landowners throughout the state.”
More information about the program, including enrollment criteria and the application form, can be found at http://fwp.mt.gov/hunting/hunterAccess/unlockingPublicLands/.
Written by Rachel Endecott, Beef Cattle Specialist
We’ve all experienced that middle‐of‐the‐night calving incident that sure would have been easier to manage if it had happened in the daylight. Some ranchers use an evening feeding strategy to shift more cows to calve during the day.
A case study comparing two sets of calving data with different feeding times illustrates this phenomenon well (Jaeger, et al. 2008. Professional Animal Scien st. 24:247). One group of cows was fed between 6 and 8 am (15 years of data, 1210 observations) and another group of cows was fed between 4 and 6 pm ( 5 years of data, 537 observations). Researchers divided the day into six, 4‐hour periods starting at 6 am and recorded the number of cows who calved during each 4‐hour period.
Cows who were fed in the morning had nearly equal distribution of cows calving during each period of the day. This resulted in nearly equal proportions of cows calving between 6 am and 6 pm (52%) and those calving between 6 pm and 6 am (48%).
Cows who were fed in the evening did not have an equal distribution of cows calving during each period of the day. In fact, 85% of cows calved between 6 am and 6 pm and only 15% calved between 6 pm and 6 am.
There are many factors in addition to timing of feeding that can override the timing of calving. Research in cattle and other species suggests that physical activity, daily variation in hormonal secretion, ambient temperature, or day length may play a role.
Questions for Rachel? [email protected] or 406-994-3747
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is seeking comment on proposed amendments to rules needed to effectively contain, detect and prevent the risk of spreading invasive mussels and other aquatic invasive species to other state waters.
Invasive mussel larvae were detected for the first time in Montana in October 2016 in Tiber Reservoir – and “suspect” detections turned up in Canyon Ferry Reservoir, the Missouri River below Toston Dam, and the Milk River.
The discovery triggered a natural resource emergency in Montana and led to several recommended strategies to manage the threat of the mussels spreading.
The proposed rule amendments include:
• Mandatory inspections of out-of-state motorized or nonmotorized watercraft prior to launching on any Montana waterbody.
• Mandatory inspections of motorized or nonmotorized watercraft traveling across the Continental Divide into the Columbia River Basin within Montana.
• Mandatory inspections of all motorized or nonmotorized watercraft coming off Tiber and Canyon Ferry reservoirs, anddecontamination if necessary.
• Drain plugs would be required to be removed; if the watercraft doesn’t have drain plugs, reasonable measures must be taken to dry or drain all compartments, including bilges.
• Transporting lake and river water would be prohibited.
• Live bait and fish would be required to transported in clean domestic water where allowed in current fishing regulations. Upon leaving Tiber and Canyon Ferry Reservoirs, bait and fish must be transported without water.
A public hearing on the proposed rule amendments is set for 6 p.m. March 14 in Helena at FWP Headquarters, 1420 E. 6th Ave. Comments on the proposed rule amendments are due by March 17. They can be emailed to [email protected]; or mailed to: Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, Fisheries Division, P.O. Box 200701, Helena, MT 59620-0701.
Invasive zebra and quagga mussels have caused tens of millions of dollars in damages in the Great Lakes region and more recently in the southwestern U.S. The primary vector for transporting invasive mussels is water hauled by boats and associated equipment. Boaters and anglers should take year-round precautions and toclean, drain and dry their equipment after each use.
In the absence of their natural predators, invasive mussels rapidly cause significant problems by altering natural systems that support Montana fisheries; overwhelming lakes and rivers and the plants that help keep waters clean and productive; reducing water-based recreation; damaging outdoor equipment, including boats, motors and associated gear; clogging water pipes and hydropower facilities; jamming municipal water supply lines; and choking off agricultural irrigation systems.
BOZEMAN – Montana State University Extension in Gallatin County will host the workshop “Building Resiliency in Agriculture,” from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, March 10, at the Gallatin County Extension office, located at 903 N. Black Ave., Bozeman.
The workshop aims to improve farmers’ and ranchers’ ability to respond to variability and extremes in agricultural operations. Topics will include past, present and future climate; flexible stocking rates; emerging crops; weed management; irrigation efficiency and soil moisture measurement; and financial resiliency.
To register, contact Emily Lockard, MSU Extension agriculture agent, or Brad Bauer, MSU Extension natural resources agent, at (406) 582-3280, [email protected]. Attendees can also register at the Extension office in Bozeman. The workshop costs $10 and includes lunch.
For more information, see: http://www.gallatinextension.com.
Helena (March 1, 2017) – The Montana Stockgrowers Association (MSGA) today applauded the U.S. Senate’s confirmation of Montana Congressman Ryan Zinke to serve as the next U.S. Secretary of the Interior.
MSGA Executive Vice President, Errol Rice noted Zinke’s experience living in the west gives him a unique perspective of public land issues.
“We are excited to see the confirmation of Congressman Zinke,” said Rice. “He has a thorough knowledge of natural resource issues and how the management of said issues impact the states. Representative Zinke has been a great advocate for Montana and ranching during his tenure in Congress. We look forward to continuing to be a resource for him on the complex and diverse issues that impact not only Montana but the nation.”
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The Montana Stockgrowers Association, a non-profit organization representing nearly 2,500 members, strives to serve, protect and advance the economic, political, environmental and cultural interests of cattle producers, the largest sector of Montana’s number one industry – agriculture.
The Montana Cowboy Hall of Fame & Western Heritage Center (MCHF&WHC) is seeking nominations for the 2017 Montana Cowboy Hall of Fame induction round. Every year, the MCHF&WHC honors living and historical figures that have made notable contributions to Montana’s western heritage.
“People from across Montana are invited to identify those in their communities who are most deserving of inclusion in the hall of fame” said Mark Larson, MCHF&WHC board director. “Nominations are open and welcome from the public at large.”
2017 marks the seventh year the MCHF&WHC will honor living inductees and the tenth year of honoring legacy (non-living) inductees. The MCHF&WHC Board of Trustees will cast votes to select one living inductee and two legacy inductees from each of the MCHF&WHC’s 12 Trustee Districts based on nominations from the public.
Nominees can be men, women, ranches, stage coach lines, animals, hotels, etc.—anyone or anything that has made a notable contribution to our Montana western heritage. A full listing of inductees from 2011-2016, the 2017 Nomination Instructions, and more about the Hall of Fame induction process can be found online athttp://www.montanacowboyfame.org.
If you would like to make a nomination, you must contact the MCHF&WHC at Christy@montanacowboyfame.org or by calling (406) 932-5444 prior to the submission deadline to express your intent to nominate. Nominations must include a cover page, a two-page biography, and a high-quality photograph. All nomination documents must be in electronic format and emailed by April 30, 2017.
The 2017 Class of the Montana Cowboy Hall of Fame will be announced by press release by July 30, 2017. Winning inductees will be honored at the 2018 Annual Circle the Wagons Gathering.
2015 Living Inductee Jack Briggs of Polson, MT poses with his family after he received his plaque at the 2016 Circle the Wagons event.
Today President Donald Trump issued an executive action ordering the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Army Corps of Engineers to reconsider their controversial Waters of the United States Rule.
The WOTUS rule, which was issued by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Army Corps of Engineers under the Obama Administration, was challenged in courts by more than 30 states, environmental organizations, and numerous industry groups including the National Corn Growers Association, American Farm Bureau Federation, and the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association. . In October 2015, a federal appeals court issued a stay preventing the rule’s implementation.
The National Corn Growers Association said, “We appreciate the Trump Administration’s commitment to reducing regulatory burdens for America’s farmers and ranchers,” said NCGA President Wesley Spurlock. “We fully support the repeal of the WOTUS rule. Farmers and ranchers care deeply about clean water, but this rule had significant flaws. It was arbitrarily written, legally indefensible, and extremely difficult to implement.”
Craig Uden, president of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) today said, “This extremely flawed rule would force ranchers and feedlot operators to get permits or risk excessive federal penalties despite being miles away from any navigable water. It would be one of the largest federal land grabs and private-property infringements in American history, and the President should be applauded for making EPA and the Corps reconsider this debacle. Ultimately, this rule should be taken out behind the barn and put out of its misery.”
U.S. Senator Steve Daines (R) Montana, released a statement on the overreaching WOTUS rule seeks to regulate virtually every ditch and pond that may be occasionally wet across the United States and would have a significant negative impact on farmers, ranchers, and landowners across the country. Daines said, “We can protect Montana’s pristine water without harming our agriculture economy and violating Montanans’ private property rights,” Daines stated. “I’m thrilled President Trump has heeded my call to halt this disastrous Obama-era policy and that we are allowing Montanans to manage the land they know best.”
Source: Northern Ag Network
U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced that he will be spearheading the Montana Ag Summit 2017 in Great Falls this spring.
The summit, sponsored by Daines, will take place in Great Falls on May 31 and June 1, 2017. U.S. Senator Pat Roberts, the Chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry will deliver a keynote address at the summit.
‘The summit will highlight our state’s number one economic driver by bringing together agricultural leaders to discuss how to keep our agricultural heritage strong for generations to come,’ Daines stated. ‘Farmers and ranchers are the backbone of Montana’s economy and I look forward to a Montana family conversation about the future of agriculture.’
Audio of Daines’ statement is available for download HERE.
Chairman Pat Roberts: ‘I am pleased to travel to Montana with one of our Committee’s newest members, Senator Daines, to speak at his Agriculture Summit. I appreciate Senator Daines’ hard work and enthusiasm for promoting and serving farmers and ranchers. His leadership on behalf of Montana’s rural constituents will serve his home state well during the 115 Congress.’
The Montana Ag Summit will bring the nation’s agricultural leaders to Montana’s Golden Triangle. The focus of the summit is on strengthening international relationships for Montana agriculture, showcasing technological advancements, promoting the next generation of farmers and ranchers, and discussing the challenges of federal policies and regulations.
John Youngberg, Montana Farm Bureau Federation Executive Vice President: ‘We are excited that Senator Daines has chosen to host an Agriculture Summit in Montana. Senator Daines understands the importance of agriculture to Montana’s economy and we appreciate that he is bringing this great opportunity to our state.’
Lola Raska, Executive Vice President of the Montana Grain Growers Association: ‘The 2017 Montana Ag Summit offers an exciting opportunity to meet with some of our nation’s key ag leaders, who will be speaking on issues important to the Montana growers who work hard to provide food for their families and for the world’s consumers. We owe a big thank you to Senator Steve Daines for setting a place at the table for our farmers and ranchers and for his recognition of agriculture’s importance to Montana’s economy.’
Errol Rice, Montana Stockgrowers Association Executive Vice President: ‘The Montana Ag Summit will provide a great platform to discuss the opportunities and challenges facing Montana’s farmers and ranchers. The Montana Stockgrowers Association is enthusiastic about participating and thanks Sen. Daines for his ongoing work on behalf of Montana’s ranchers and for bringing ag leaders from across the state and nation to Great Falls for the summit.’
John Rauser, President, Montana Pork Producers Council: ‘Montana Pork Producers are looking forward to participating in the Montana Ag Summit sponsored by Senator Daines. A tremendous portion of pork produced in the U.S. Is exported overseas, including hogs supplied by Montana hog farms. We are a part of the global market, and we want to be a proactive member involved in markets domestically and internationally. The Montana Ag Summit 2017 will be hosted at the Montana ExpoPark Pacific Steel & Recycling Arena in Great Falls.’
Kim Murray American Pulse Association Board Montana Pulse Advisory Committee: ‘Pulse crop acres have increased dramatically in recent years bringing with it new jobs and an excitement for the future of agriculture in our great state of Montana. Having Senator Daines placed on the Senate Ag Committee along with being on the Senate Appropriations Committee is huge for Montana farmers and ranchers. Thank you for hosting the Montana Ag Summit and for all you do for Montana. We look forward to working with you going forward.’
Dave McEwen, President of the Montana Wool Growers Association – Galata:‘The Montana Wool Growers Association is pleased and excited to participate in the Montana Ag Summit, which is set to be hosted by Senator Daines in Great Falls in late Spring 2017. Montana’s agriculture producers are leaders in their communities and in philanthropy , leaders in developing innovative agriculture commodities and land conservation practices, and leaders in producing food and fiber that cloth and feed the world. As such, the Association is particularly excited that Senator Pat Roberts, Chairman of the Senate Agriculture Committee will be coming to Montana as part of that event to directly hear the legislative priorities of Montana’s agriculture producers and to see our producers in their own fields Since his election to Congress, Senator Daines has been a steadfast supporter of Montana’s biggest economic generator, agriculture, and this Summit is just another way the Senator is making agriculture and natural resources a priority.’
Webb Brown, CEO, Montana Chamber of Commerce: ‘We’re excited to work with Senator Daines to focus on the backbone of Montana’s economy – agriculture. From family farms to high-tech operations, we’ll examine the challenges and opportunities in Big Sky Country. Join us!’
Krista Lee Evans, Executive Director of Montana Agricultural Business Association: ‘Agriculture in Montana continues to face multiple challenges from multiple angles and we welcome the opportunity to meet with our nations key agricultural leaders. The Montana Agricultural Business Association commends Senator Daines and his ongoing support for agriculture and its importance in Montana. We look forward to participating in the 2017 Montana Ag Summit.’
Larry Hendrickson, Liberty County Commissioner, Chair of the MACO Ag Committee: ‘It is very exciting to have Senator Daines hosting the Montana Ag Summit in Great Falls. It is a great opportunity for local Ag producers to have input on the upcoming farm bill. I hope to see you there!’
Daines serves as a member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry and is the Chairman of the Conservation, Forestry and Natural Resources Subcommittee.
To register and for more information please visit www.agsummitmontana.com.