Trade mission creates potential sales opportunities for Kansas and Missouri seedstock producers
Canadian cattle breeders are taking a closer look at U.S. Charolais genetics, creating potential new export opportunities for American seedstock operations.
Seven Canadian Charolais breeders participated in an inbound trade mission Oct. 19-24, visiting cattle operations and industry organizations in Kansas and Missouri.
Hosted by the Kansas Department of Agriculture, Missouri Department of Agriculture and American-International Charolais Association, the mission gave the Canadian producers an opportunity to evaluate U.S. breeding programs, genetic selection and technologies being used to meet changing beef industry needs.
Importantly for U.S. cattle producers, the visit also generated discussions about potential purchases of American genetics.
Canadian Breeders Evaluate U.S. Genetics
The mission began with ranch tours in Missouri, where Canadian participants met directly with cattle producers and learned about U.S. Charolais breeding programs.
The delegation also visited the American-International Charolais Association, where Executive Vice President Brett Spader discussed the association's member programs, data collection practices and ongoing research.
The Canadian breeders then traveled to several Kansas cattle and genetics operations.
Stops included Fink Beef Genetics in Randolph, Schrader Ranch in Wells, Cody Cattle Company in Scandia, T&S Strnad Charolais in Formoso, Sun Valley Embryo Transfer in Salina and NextGen Cattle Company in Paxico.
The visits allowed participating breeders to examine animals and breeding programs while discussing ways U.S. genetics could be incorporated into their Canadian operations.
According to the Kansas Department of Agriculture, participants evaluated genetic offerings and started follow-up discussions about possible purchases of live cattle and semen.
That makes the mission more than an educational exchange. It represents an opportunity for U.S. seedstock producers to turn international relationships into future genetic sales.
Kansas Sees Opportunity in Global Genetics Market
Kansas Secretary of Agriculture Mike Beam said bringing international cattle producers to the state allows Kansas breeders to demonstrate their genetics directly to prospective customers.
“Kansas is proud of the quality of its Charolais genetics and the producers who continue to advance our beef industry,” Beam said.
“Hosting international breeders allows us to showcase these strengths while building relationships that support future opportunities for Kansas agriculture.”
Livestock genetics can offer U.S. cattle operations an export opportunity without relying exclusively on traditional beef and live-animal trade.
Semen, embryos and breeding stock give seedstock producers additional ways to market the genetic progress they have made in economically important traits to cattle producers in other countries.
Inbound trade missions can play an important role in those transactions because prospective buyers have an opportunity to see cattle, tour operations and speak directly with breeders before making purchasing decisions.
Building Connections Across the U.S.-Canada Cattle Industry
The visit also provided opportunities for producers on both sides of the border to exchange information about Charolais cattle production.
Participants discussed how U.S. genetics could add value to Canadian cattle operations while American breeders gained additional exposure to an important neighboring market.
The mission concluded at the Junior Heifer Show and National Roll of Excellence Charolais Show at the new American Royal grounds in Kansas City, Kansas.
Canadian breeders were able to reconnect with cattle producers they had met during the week, meet additional American-International Charolais Association representatives and further develop relationships within the North American Charolais industry.
The trade mission was supported through the Kansas and Missouri agriculture departments' membership in U.S. Livestock Genetics Export, Inc., with funding from the USDA Market Access Program.
The Kansas and Missouri departments of agriculture say they are continuing efforts to connect international buyers with U.S. seedstock producers, with the goal of expanding overseas markets and creating long-term opportunities for American livestock operations.
For Charolais breeders involved in the October mission, those efforts could eventually translate into new sales of breeding cattle and genetics to Canadian customers.
Photo Caption: A Canadian delegation of Charolais breeders joined Kansas Department of Agriculture staff Katheryn Wessel and Tessa Beeman at the first livestock show to be held at the new American Royal facility in Kansas City, Kansas.
Photo Credit: Kansas Department of Agriculture