More than 7,500 cattle producers gathered in Nashville this week for the 2012 Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show. The turnout was the highest ever, with most attendees feeling very optimistic about the current state of the cattle industry.
Without question, record beef export performance over the past year is one of the biggest factors driving this positive outlook, as the percentage of U.S. beef production exported (including variety meat) approached 15 percent and export value equated to more than $200 per fed steer or heifer slaughtered.
“Our outlook for international markets across the globe is really exciting at this time,” said Kevin Kester, a fifth-generation rancher from Parkville, Calif., who chairs the cattle industry’s Joint International Markets Committee. “I believe more and more producers across the nation are realizing the importance of our export markets and how they increase carcass value. For 2011, the value per steer and heifer slaughtered in the United States exceeds $200. That’s a huge boost to our profitability.”
The Joint International Markets Committee meets Friday afternoon, with the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) Chairman Danita Rodibaugh offering opening remarks.
Other USMEF presenters include:
- Dan Halstrom, senior vice president for marketing and communications, will present an overview of the current international business climate.
- Economist Erin Borror will lead a discussion of how exports impact producer profits.
- USMEF-Mexico chef Max Covaliu will discuss opportunities and challenges in foreign markets.
- Greg Hanes, assistant vice president for international marketing and programs will offer updates on the Fiscal Year 2012 Beef Checkoff Program authorization requests.
The committee meeting wraps up a busy week in Nashville for the USMEF delegation. On Thursday, Rodibaugh, Hanes and Halstrom met with many of the agricultural and business reporters in attendance for radio, television and newspaper interviews. USMEF’s trade show booth has been extremely active, with producers anxious to learn more about global marketing programs for U.S. beef and the state of the international markets. At the trade show opening on Wednesday, chef Covaliu welcomed producers with samples of chili-rubbed top round – a popular entree in Mexico and other Latin American markets.
“It’s been an excellent convention and a very exciting week,” Rodibaugh said. “But even with the positive business climate, a major concern we continue to hear is that cattle numbers remain low and we need to find ways to attract young people to the industry. I feel very strongly that meat exports can play a big role in that respect. International trade is one of the best sources of optimism that we have, and can serve as a catalyst for expansion of beef, pork and lamb operations.”
Source: USMEF