We know what's for dinner, but how about breakfast?

Poultry, dairy and pork offer significant opportunity for Nebraska’s economy.

Nebraska’s reputation as “The Beef State” is well deserved. After all, Nebraska consistently battles Texas for the top national spot for cattle on feed – and Nebraska processes more cattle than any other state.

But, diversification is as important in agriculture as it is in one’s personal investment portfolio. “Diversity can help protect producers and our state’s economy from market volatility,” said Willow Holoubek, executive director of the Alliance for the Future of Agriculture in Nebraska (A-FAN). “That’s why we need to expand awareness of the value of livestock production in Nebraska.”

The animals that produce eggs, bacon and milk offer a significant opportunity for responsible livestock expansion across the state.

Hendrix-ISA, a Netherlands based company, recently announced a $10 million, 60,000 square-foot chicken hatchery in Grand Island that will hatch 100,000 chicks every day. Nebraska is also home to several egg-laying facilities as well as the SmartChicken processing plant in Tecumseh. The state continues to be the center of attention of other poultry-related companies seeking a location, with a major poultry operation considering a location near Fremont.

“I think people are a little surprised by the surge of poultry interest in Nebraska, but it makes sense when you think about it,” said Courtney Dentlinger, director of the Nebraska Department of Economic Development. “With a smaller poultry industry, we have fewer biosecurity concerns. We have a good supply of water and feedstuffs that poultry producers need.”

Nebraska has been mounting an aggressive initiative to attract both dairy farmers and dairy processing to the state, as well as help existing dairy operators expand. Nebraska is home to 180 dairies with an average size of 300 cows.

The Nebraska Corn Board is helping support the effort to attract additional milk processing to Nebraska, with a special emphasis on specialty cheeses. The “Grow Nebraska Dairy” initiative is being led by the Nebraska State Dairy Association, A-FAN, Nebraska Department of Agriculture, Nebraska Department of Economic Development and Nebraska Extension.

“A single dairy cow generates about $5,000 in farm sales each year and the majority of that is spent within 50 miles of the dairy itself,” said Rod Johnson, executive director of the Nebraska State Dairy Association. “So one 300-cow operation is a $1.5 million business in a community.”

“A 2,000-head dairy can put $10 million in economic vitality into the local community – and that number repeats itself every year,” said A-FAN’s Willow Holoubek. “Those dollars are generated through salaries, grain purchases from local farmers, nutritionists, veterinarians, trucking and many other activities.”

Pork production is another growth opportunity for the state, especially in diversifying a crop operation. A single 2,400 head hog finishing barn uses roughly 43,000 bushels of corn and provides a continuous and long-term supply of manure, which can improve soil quality and reduce input costs.

Typically, the farmer owns the facility and contracts with a company to finish the hogs. A 2,400-head hog barn can create a total annual net return to the farmer of more than $87,000 including the added value of the manure he puts on his fields.

“Integrating hog finishing into a row crop operation provides dependable, long-term annual return, increases annual farm income, and creates opportunity for the next generation of farmers,” said Al Juhnke, director of the Nebraska Pork Producers Association.

Animal Advocacy: Articulating Your Story

Today’s livestock producers take what they do very seriously. The legacy and knowledge of raising animals merits a great pride in farmers and ranchers. They are deeply rooted in their values whether that be in their community, the environment or raising a calf crop each year. With the rearing of animals for meat comes the charge to compassionately care for that animal, become accountable for how they provide for their livestock and positively promote what and why they do what they do.

Animal Welfare

Much of the pride that livestock producers have from raising animals comes from responsibility. Today more than ever, cattle ranchers, pork producers, dairy farmers and poultry producers take the responsibility of raising healthy cattle for high-quality, nutritious beef very genuinely. Much of that responsibility is stewardship which leads to following animal welfare guidelines.

Much of the way livestock and poultry are handled is traditionally passed down from generation to generation on family operations, or comes from personal experience and training. Yet, as industry standards change, producers also want to change to make sure they are doing the best to take care of their animals. Practices of production such as de-horning, castration, use of vaccines and antibiotics, etc., all have their purpose in the industry, but the way they are handled can be skewed by the public eye.

Accountability

Farmers and ranchers must be responsible for the way they handle their animals. One form of accountability for beef producers is the Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) program, a national program that provides guidelines for beef cattle production. This is not new to the industry; cattlemen and women have been practicing stewardship and proper handling for years.

The cattle industry formalized its first quality program in the late 1970s when it was called the “Beef Safety Assurance” program, designed to help cattle farmers and ranchers ensure their production practices were safe and met consumer expectations. The BQA program, the first of its kind in the world, soon followed and was officially established in 1987.

BQA raises consumer confidence through offering proper management techniques and a commitment to quality within every segment of the beef industry. Cattlemen and women have embraced BQA because it is the right thing to do. It is an educating program that has evolved to include best practices around good record keeping and protecting herd health. The pork industry offers similar programs, including Pork Quality Assurance Plus (PQA Plus) and Transport Quality Assurance (TQA), to support animal well-being and maintain a safe, high-quality supply of pork. Their “We Care” initiative ties everything together to help the public view the pork industry as a self-regulated business that earns the trust of others.

The poultry and dairy industries provide similar quality assurance programs, as well.

Advocacy

Along with programs like BQA and PQA Plus, cattle producers are encouraged to practice advocacy techniques while they are in the public eye. Unfortunately, those that do not understand agriculture have misguided ideas and sometimes share erroneous information, pictures and video about the treatment of food animals. In our country, rural communities have declined and consumers are generally two or more generations removed from having meaningful ties with the people and places where their food is raised. Without those ties to agriculture, consumers don’t know about modern food production. And some might not care. Until a video or picture comes across their Facebook news feed and suddenly they are brought into a social license dilemma.

Social media has drastically changed how agriculture is viewed and how people talk about their food. While it has brought negative views and questions to livestock production, the two-way street allows livestock producers to have a voice as well as a listening audience that is focused on where they intersect and can relate with one another. And that intersection is something we all enjoy: food.

When consumers are concerned about how their food is raised, it gives producers an opportunity to talk about their animal welfare and is a good wake-up call to all livestock producers that others are watching. This is especially true at livestock shows. There is a critical eye watching every move and producers need to be ready to share their story with emphasis on why and how.

Articulate Your Story

Are you prepared to answer critical questions on production practices that come naturally to you? Why do you use clippers on your animal? What are you feeding them? Where do you keep your animals? These questions might be something you’ve never thought about. Our industry needs to take time to stand in our consumers’ shoes and have a good working knowledge of the industry, as well as use terminology that most people will understand.

It’s an especially good reminder to be proactive. Help consumers connect the dots by reaching out to them and asking if they have any questions.

'Un-cool"; COOL law is repealed by Congress

With bipartisan support, Congress passed the $1.15 trillion Omnibus Appropriations Bill on Friday, which funds much of the government through fiscal year 2016. Included in this bill was the long-disputed country of origin labeling (COOL) law for beef and pork which was repealed.

Repeal of the law as it applies to U.S. labels for beef and pork has been a growing topic in livestock circles for several years, coming to a head this month when the World Trade Organization sanctioned $1 billion in retaliatory tariffs on U.S. exports by Canada and Mexico.

Colin Woodall, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) vice president of government affairs, said COOL had noble beginnings with the idea that consumers would pay more for products labeled as products of the U.S. But unfortunately, that hasn’t been the case. Instead COOL has plagued the beef industry with significant costs and caused problems on Capitol Hill and with trading partners, he said.

The long-running dispute between the U.S. and its two largest trading partners resulted in four WTO rulings against the U.S. — found to be in violation of trade obligations by COOL’s discrimination against cattle and hogs imported from Canada and cattle from Mexico.

NCBA calls the COOL repeal a “significant victory for America’s cattle producers.”

“COOL has plagued our industry for many years now, costing us millions and driving us to the brink of retaliation from two of our largest trading partners,” NCBA President Philip Ellis said in a press release following passage of the spending bill. "Cattle producers have had to bear the cost of this failed program for far too long.”

Pork producers also welcome the repeal.

America’s pork producers are grateful that lawmakers recognized the economic harm producers faced from retaliation, National Pork Producers Council President Ron Prestage said in a press release.

“I know tariffs on U.S. pork would have been devastating to me and other pork producers,” he said.

Pork producers are currently losing money on each hog marketed, and those losses would have been exacerbated significantly under retaliation from Canada and Mexico, NPPC contends.

Let's Celebrate October is Pork Month!

October became known as Pork Month because it marked the time of year when hogs were traditionally marketed. Today, it serves as a celebration to thank pork producers and share their stories with consumers. This is a great time for corn farmers to show appreciation to one of our great customers, too.

Pork is the world’s most widely eaten meat representing 42% of the meat consumed, according to the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service. Some 81% of the population consumes pork in-home at least once in an average two-week period.

The top five most popular pork products include ham, sausage, bacon, lunchmeat (excluding ham) and pork chops. Of pork products consumed at home, ham accounts for 31.1%, sausage represents 19.6%, bacon totals 18.1%, lunchmeat accounts for 10.3% and pork chops round out the top five with 10.2% of pork consumed in-home.

Another way Nebraska corn farmers support pork production is through the U.S. Meat Export Federation, who opens up export markets for U.S. pork and beef.

Here are some interesting, quick pork facts in an infographic - easy to share with your family and friends this month!

Where's the....pork??

It seems there is a pork shortage at Chipotle. Or at least that is what they are claiming.

According to Chipotle, one of their pork suppliers has violated their housing agreement for pigs. The company demands that its suppliers raise pigs in “humane conditions with access to the outdoors, rather than in cramped pens.” So, because the supplier violated the pig housing agreement, Chipotle will not purchase their pork, which is resulting in a pork shortage in over 1700 locations in the U.S.

Wanda Patsche, author and pork farmer in Minnesota shared a picture of a pig pen in her barn. Do you think they look cramped?

In the past, Chipotle customers may have noticed signs stating when certain meats don’t meet the company’s “responsibly raised” standards, a substitution will take place. What is the substitution? Conventionally raised animals. But this time there will be no substitution for the pork.

Now it’s no secret that Chipotle is no friend to America’s farmers. This isn't the first time Chipotle has undermined farmers. Remember the Chipocrisy or "Food with integrity"? Wanda assures us that they take better care of our animals. Housing animals outside does not equate to better pork. Genetics, nutrition, health care and management do. The winter weather is downright cruel to pigs. And how do we know that? Because she has been there – years ago, Wanda's pigs were housed outside. And it’s bad. Frozen waterers, frostbitten ears, broken legs (from slipping on ice and snow) on pigs, and sick pigs from pneumonia are just a few of the difficulties they encountered housing their pigs outdoors.

Why doesn’t Chipotle want pigs housed indoors? Because our culture’s view of farming is nostalgic. Many farm organizations in Nebraska are sharing Nebraska farmers' stories of current modern farming and actual animal welfare - meaning how they really take care of their animals. The Alliance for the Future of Nebraska (AFAN), CommonGround and Nebraska Farm Bureau - along with the Nebraska Pork Producers and Nebraska Cattlemen are just a few examples. Read Nebraska Farm Bureau's blog about Chipotle's claim of pork shortage here.

Chipotle might have good burritos, but by throwing farmers under the bus, I'd rather eat at Qdoba anyday!

95 reasons to support U.S. grain & red meat exports

95% of the world’s consumers live outside of the U.S.

If that isn’t enough reason to support exports of U.S. products to other countries all over the world, I don’t know what is. Now, with low commodity grain prices this year and expected into next year, our best resources are spent right now supporting exports and international trade, which could lead to fast growing markets and more demand.

The world markets offer momentous growth opportunities for U.S. agriculture. The Nebraska Corn Board and other grain checkoffs in our state and across the U.S. work with the U.S. Grains Council to develop export markets for our American farmers and agribusinesses. With the most modern, innovative and productive agricultural system in the world, the U.S. enjoys a longstanding and significant comparative advantage in agricultural trade.

We also know that corn is value-added when first fed to livestock, then exported as red meat. Another reason the Nebraska Corn Board (and other commodity checkoffs – grains and livestock together along with industry support) supports the U.S. Meat Export Federation. USMEF opens up export markets for U.S. read meat – beef, pork and lamb – and leverages checkoff dollars with federal dollars to influence more markets and prevail on more of the 95% consuming U.S. meat.

Beef exports in October were up 2% from a year ago with variety meat exports increasing 14% in volume. Although pork exports were down 2% in volume they still achieved a 5% increase in value. These results were also bolstered by strong variety meat exports, which were up 24% in volume.

The top export customers for U.S. corn (for Sept-Oct ’14) were Mexico, Japan, Colombia, South Korea and Peru. By establishing good relationship and continuing to produce high quality corn, the U.S. can grow these markets and develop new ones like Egypt and others in the Middle East who see the value of U.S. corn for feeding their livestock.

So the next time someone asks you why we don't keep all of our food here for Americans to eat, tell them there are 95 reasons.

View other Nebraska Corn Kernel blog posts about why we promote exports: 

• Podcast: 2014 Corn Crop & Challenges Ahead
• Make sure the corn you grow has a place to go
• U.S. Agriculture Leaders Gather for USMEF Market Expo
• U.S. Grains Council develops exports of corn

USMEF Wraps up Successful Board Meeting, Product Showcase with Nebraska’s Jagels as Chair

The U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) Board of Directors Meeting and Product Showcase was held last week in Kansas City, Missouri, drawing a record-large turnout of 250 members from a broad cross-section of the meat industry and 120 international buyers. In his welcome remarks at the Opening General Session, Chairman and Nebraska Corn Board farmer-director Mark Jagels thanked member organizations for their support for red meat exports and commitment to the international markets.

“I look at the diversity of USMEF’s membership as one of our biggest strengths,” Jagels said. “We truly have the most diverse membership of any red meat organization in existence. The broad representation of USMEF’s membership and your commitment in terms of time, expertise and financial investment are what make USMEF great and allow us to achieve success internationally.”

Jagels reviewed first-quarter export results for U.S. beef and pork, which were up substantially from a year ago despite tight supplies and a number of market access challenges. He provided a brief overview of market conditions and trends in Mexico, South Korea, China/Hong Kong and Japan, noting that these and other key markets will be discussed in greater detail at Thursday’s Beef and Allied Industries Committee and Pork and Allied Industries Committee meetings.

Listen to Jagels audio opening remarks here.

On Thursday evening, USMEF hosted its largest-ever product showcase, with 21 exporters exhibiting beef, pork and lamb products for more than 120 international buyers. USMEF will provide comments, photos and other details from the product showcase in next week’s Export Newsline.

The USMEF meeting concluded Friday morning with the organization’s business meeting. Chairman Mark Jagels thanked members for making this a successful and productive event in which USMEF took action on several key issues.

The board adopted changes to the USMEF bylaws that were explained in detail in a March 25 letter from Jagels to the USMEF membership and in a detailed document issued after a four-week open comment period. The most significant change to the bylaws relates to the at-large and advisory seats on the USMEF Executive Committee, as explained in the documents linked above.

U.S. Agriculture Leaders Gather for USMEF Market Expo

A dozen leaders of state and national agriculture organizations from around the United States, including Nebraska Corn Board executive director, Don Hutchens and Nebraska Corn Board farmer-director and U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) Chairman, Mark Jagels, embarked last week on a visit to the Middle East and Europe organized by the USMEF. The mission goal was to develop a deeper understanding of the potential of these two export markets for U.S. beef, pork and lamb.

The largest food industry trade show in the Middle East, the Gulfood Show in Dubai, is the first stop for the group, which includes representatives from the Cattlemen’s Beef Board, United Soybean Board, Illinois Corn Marketing Board, Iowa Corn Growers Association/Iowa Corn Promotion Board, Nebraska Corn Board, Montana Beef Council and Merck Animal Health.

“Gulfood is like the Oscars for our industry,” said John Chihade, president of Chihade International, Inc., an Atlanta-based exporter who has been exporting to the Middle East region for more than a decade and is participating in the 2014 show. “We get to see our customers and our vendors all in one location in a market that continues growing.”

The Middle East region on display at Gulfood is a stable trading partner for the U.S. beef industry, the No. 4 market in volume during 2013 purchasing 147,696 metric tons of product valued at $276.2 million. The region combines Egypt, far and away the world’s leading market for U.S. beef variety meat, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), which is almost exclusively a market for U.S. muscle cuts and higher-value beef that grew 11 percent in value last year to $54.6 million. It is a smaller market for U.S. pork, although it grew 27 percent in volume and 50 percent in value last year, largely on sales to the UAE, which hosts numerous business travelers and tourists.

“I am here to try to get more American beef for my customers,” said Ahmed Hefni, general manager of the Egyptian Foundation for Import & Export. “All things being equal, U.S. beef is the only choice, of course, because of its high quality. But, price is always a consideration.”

Hefni noted the competition for his business from a range of countries including Canada, the European Union, Brazil, New Zealand and even India, who were among a range of beef producers with a large presence at Gulfood.

That sentiment was echoed by Thomas Das, vice chairman and managing director of FANTCO, a leading importer based in Dubai, who indicated that Australian beef is the primary competitor to the United States in the region, although the competition is based more on price than quality.

“The UAE is growing and has big potential for continued growth,” said Das, who noted that the consistent supply and quality of U.S. beef is an advantage that he used to help bring the product to an increasing number of high-profile outlets, including an estimated 110 five-star hotels in the region.

The Gulfood 2014 show, which runs through Feb. 27, includes 4,500 exhibiting companies and 120 national pavilions representing countries from the United States to Colombia to the Ukraine to Singapore. An estimated 80,000 visitors from 152 countries are expected to attend.

“Maybe 20 years ago, the Middle East wasn’t looked at as much of a volume market,” said Keith Obermiller who manages international sales for American Foods Group of Green Bay, Wis. “But the UAE is unique in this area. Its beef demand is more advanced and diverse, and disposable income continues to rise. And U.S. beef is very much appreciated here.”

In addition to attending the Gulfood Show, the team will receive briefings on the region from USMEF staff, meet with importers, distributors and retailers in the region, and travel to Europe for briefings on the market potential of the EU region and tours of several meat processing plants and livestock operations.

Read more on this mission by Global Meat News - US agricultural group to visit Middle East and Europe.

Love for Pork Burns Strong in U.S.

Valentine's Day is almost here and a new consumer tracking study finds Americans have an enduring love for pork. Key research findings released by the Pork Checkoff show more U.S. consumers rate their enjoyment of pork higher than in previous studies. Those participating in the Pork Checkoff study were asked to rate
pork cuts on a 10-point scale - resulting in a demonstrated increase in the volume of consumers ranking pork as an eight or higher. Other than price - the study shows the top three drivers of meat purchases for consumers are quality, appearance and convenience. According to the tracking study - the checkoff's consumer target has grown to 43-percent of U.S. households - up from 36-percent in May of 2013. The checkoff points out the consumer target was just 27-percent of U.S. households in 2010. The growth is attributed to people rating pork cuts higher and their confidence in cooking great meat. The study also found that a majority of all fresh pork eaten - 84-percent at-home and 80-percent away-from-home - is consumed by a Pork Checkoff target consumer. The total percent of pork eaten by this target consumer grew significantly since the Pork Be inspired® campaign was introduced in 2011. Pork Checkoff Domestic Marketing Committee Chair David Newman says the checkoff believes the campaign is making a distinct difference in the marketplace and how American consumers view and buy pork.

The results of the tracking study are reinforced by the Pork Checkoff's key measure of domestic marketing - real per capita consumer pork expenditures. Using USDA data - consumer pork expenditures measure both the volume and value of pork sold in the United States. Data through December 2013 showed per capita pork expenditures grew by 5.6-percent from 2012 to 2013

How global our industry has become

By Jessica Clowser, USMEF Intern
Wow, it’s hard to believe the end of July has arrived! This summer has truly flown by. My time at USMEF has definitely opened my eyes and allowed me understand how truly global our industry has become. Agriculture is excitingly unique from an international standpoint. The U.S. stands behind a safe, wholesome, delicious product which has allowed us to maximize profitability from our numerous export markets. USMEF is totally committed to providing the world with high quality, U.S. red meat.

This past week, I had the opportunity to sit in on the Joint International Markets Committee Meeting at NCBA’s (National Cattlemen’s Beef Association) midyear meeting held in Denver. The International Markets Committee’s primary focus and responsibility is international trade policy and market development. USMEF and the International Markets Committee work closely with one another, developing markets and funding international programs.

USMEF, Phil Seng, addressed the committee and spoke on the tough agricultural climate facing both international and domestic markets in terms of the current drought conditions. However, Mr. Seng did highlight the growing Chinese Middle Class and explained the relationship between China and U.S. is more and more important to the future of U.S. read meat exports. If U.S. pork and beef can break into the Chinese market, the financial reward will be monumental. Since December, 2003, international consumption of U.S. beef has steadily progressed and Mr. Seng stressed the importance of eradicating trade barriers to intensify this progression.

Even though beef prices have been, more or less depressing, there is a silver lining. For every fat steer harvested in the United States, $350 goes back to the producer as a result of export markets. This number represents muscle meats, variety meats, hides, etc. Mr. Seng also explained markets are evolving and brand differentiation is key to maximizing profits in these developing markets.

Throughout the last two weeks, I have been extremely busy with USMEF’s Pork Variety Meat Booklet project. I traveled to Evans, CO and collected numerous pork variety meats at Innovative Foods, a local meat locker who works closely with Colorado State. A grad student form CSU and myself were right there on the kill floor, collecting hearts, livers, stomachs, tongues, whole heads, etc. Cleaning out the stomachs and intestines definitely made sure my gag reflexes were working properly. After collecting the variety meats, we then traveled to CSU and cleaned, and prepared the product for the photographer. These photos will be vital to USMEF’s international markets that request U.S. pork variety meats. They will have the opportunity to see exactly what U.S. packers/processers send to their various markets.

Stomach, hearts, spleen, tongue, leaf fat, cheek meat, kidneys, and liver.

As I wrap up my last blog, I want to once again, thank the Nebraska Corn Board for funding this amazing internship. It has truly been a privilege to work at the world headquarters for the U.S. Meat Export Federation. The opportunities I have participated in and the contacts I have made will only benefit me in my future endeavors and I am so grateful for this opportunity.

I am excited to announce I was accepted into Oklahoma State’s Ag Econ Graduate program – let the next adventure begin!


The U.S. Meat Export Federation is hosting Jessica Clowser of Seward, Neb., as their first summer intern supported by a partnership between the Nebraska Corn Board and USMEF. Jessica graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in December 2012 with a B.S. in Animal Science and recently returned from a semester internship with Nebraska Senator Mike Johanns in Washington, D.C. In Denver, Jessica will be assisting with promotions and international relationship opportunities.

Red meat growth promotants and exports

By Jessica Clowser, USMEF Intern
The subject of sustainability has increasingly become a popular topic among those of us who raise and produce food. Innovative technology, such as growth promotants in the form of implants and beta-agonists are incorporated in livestock production, allowing producers to maximize inputs and still produce a safe and wholesome product to “feed the masses”. These technologies are a necessity in order to feed a world which is growing exponentially.

Now, there are markets which refuse to accept hormone treated cattle, i.e. the EU. This opens a special niche market for specific producers who choose to raise non-hormone treated cattle and thus are paid a premium for their product. What gets under my skin, is the falsification by media that hormone treated beef and beef that has been fed beta-agonists is “poison.” At USMEF, I am included on a list-serve our international directors use to give reports on current events and issues taking place in their specific countries and locations. Taiwan has currently been in an uproar regarding U.S. beef that has been fed beta-agonists. The minority party refers to this beef as poison and the majority party continues to state it’s safe. This is an excellent example of how U.S. beef is used in politics internationally; it’s been fascinating to see how it has all unfolded.

During the last month, it’s becoming more and more evident to me how aware USMEF is regarding ALL issues taking place in numerous countries and markets. The international markets do a fabulous job informing everyone in Denver about any and all issues which may affect our ability to market and export red meat. It’s been exciting to witness this dedication to the U.S. red meat industry.

I recently attended a joint meeting in Loveland hosted by the CO Cattlemen’s, Livestock Association, Cattlewomen’s, and Pork Producers. This was a great networking venture and really exposed me to issues affecting Colorado’s agriculture. My favorite speaker discussed what consumers are looking for when going to the grocery store to purchase beef. She is from New York City and manages a firm which specifically monitors and documents consumer behaviors. During her speech, she showed real footage of real consumers and their thoughts on beef. Consumers want words like “traditional beef” instead of “conventional beef,” they don’t like to be told “organic is better,” and finally, they want traceability. This information is extremely beneficially to all beef producers, packers, and retailers; it’s important for us to listen to our consumer in order to satisfy their needs.

On a side note, one of my college friends came out to Colorado for vacation. The two of us toured Coors-Miller brewery, where we sampled some of Coors’ fine beers and toured a little of Golden, CO. We then ventured onto Idaho Springs for some famous Beau Jo’s Pizza. For anyone traveling to Colorado, find out if there is a Beau Jo’s located along your route or around your final destination, it’s amazing! Whoever decided to put honey on pizza crust deserves a medal.

The drive through the mountains was gorgeous! I have never driven west of Denver; the Rocky Mountains definitely took my breath away! Our final destination was Vail where we hiked, shopped, and explored the town for the rest of the weekend. My favorite activity was riding the Gondola all the way to the top of mountain and enjoying the fantastic view.

However, there was a constant haze over Vail from the numerous wildfires igniting all across the state. To live in Colorado is an amazing experience, but the fires destroying Colorado’s beauty and the homes and livelihoods of so many people are absolutely devastating. Living in North Denver, I have seen a constant haze since the High Park Fire and the new Flagstaff Fire near Boulder have erupted. My thoughts and prayers go out to the brave firefighters, the people who have lost homes, and the ranchers who have lost precious grazing ground and livestock.


The U.S. Meat Export Federation is hosting Jessica Clowser of Seward, Neb., as their first summer intern supported by a partnership between the Nebraska Corn Board and USMEF. Jessica graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in December 2012 with a B.S. in Animal Science and recently returned from a semester internship with Nebraska Senator Mike Johanns in Washington, D.C. In Denver, Jessica will be assisting with promotions and international relationship opportunities.

USMEF members meet in New Orleans

By Jessica Clowser, USMEF Intern

Greetings from Denver! Today marks the completion of my second week interning at the U.S. Meat Export Federation and what an exciting two weeks it has been! Moving to a new city and starting a new internship definitely brought on some nervous/exciting energy, but thus far, my experience has been amazing. Personally, I believe Denver combines exciting city life with people who are still down to earth.

My first week with USMEF was highlighted by a trip to New Orleans. USMEF hosted their Board of Directors Meeting and Product Showcase May 23-25 in the Big Easy. Having the opportunity to travel and participate was an amazing experience. Meeting USMEF’s directors and staff from their global offices located in Japan, Russia, Hong Kong, South America, and Europe was a thrill; I have never really been exposed to so many different backgrounds and cultures.+

View of New Orleans skyline from the river cruise.

Traveling to New Orleans was an adventure. My flight had a two hour delay at the gate in Denver due to some mechanical issue. But a silver lining emerged; ironically the gentleman sitting next to me pulled out his National Hog Farmer magazine and we began discussing the upcoming meetings in New Orleans to pass the time. Unfortunately, after arriving to the hotel, we came across another road block; the hotel’s computer system was completely down, preventing us from checking into our rooms.

Kelsey and I on the river cruise boat.

Nonetheless, USMEF planned a fabulous river boat cruise Wednesday night on the Mississippi River. Everyone boarded the Creole Queen from the river-walk dock near the hotel and indulged in a night of great food and socializing. It was awesome to see such a great turnout from Nebraska. During the reception, I was able to mingle and network with many other attendees from multiple countries and organizations. After docking, we were able to finally check into our rooms, so the night ended on great note! :)

Thursday’s schedule primarily consisted of meetings. Different trade groups met representing, pork, beef, and feedgrains. I attended and took notes for USMEF during the “Feedgrains and Oilseeds Caucus,” where supply and demand, land prices, and environmental stewardship were all discussed. However, I found the most interesting topic on the agenda to be the possibility of Japan opening its boarders to U.S. beef over 30 months of age. USMEF’s staff from the Japan office outlined their strategy and tactics to introduce this market to Japanese consumers. There is tremendous potential in this market; being from the “Beef State,” I know Nebraska’s beef producers will be at the forefront of this opportunity.

Senior V.P. Export Services Paul Clayton

explaining the difference between USDA

Prime, Upper 2/3 Choice, Low Choice, and Select.

Also on Thursday, I assisted staff with different taste panels for teams from South America, Asia, and Russia. They were given samples of lamb from the U.S., Australia, and New Zealand and asked to differentiate which sample came from the three different countries. Everyone came to the conclusion U.S. lamb is the most tender and has the best taste. Next we conducted another taste panel for beef. The teams were given samples of U.S. Prime, Upper two-thirds Choice, Low Choice, and Australian Grass-Fed. Once again, everyone agreed U.S. Prime was the best.

Even though there was limited free time, I did find time to explore some of the more popular sites in New Orleans.  Kelsey and I went to Café du Monde in the French Quarter where we indulged in Beignets.  Thursday evening, we ate Cajun food at LeBayou with Mark and Suzanne Jagels and explored the sites, sounds, and smells of Bourbon Street.

Beignets at Cafe du Monde!

New Orleans was amazing!  Working behind the scenes and participating in the meetings was a great introduction to USMEF and its membership.  I thoroughly enjoyed assisting staff members with any task along with networking with producers and industry leaders.

My duties in the office throughout the summer will include a variety of tasks; however, my main project will be putting together a Pork Variety Meat booklet for our exporters and importers.  A similar booklet was put together for beef through a joint effort with the Colorado Beef Council. I have compiled a list of the various variety meats, and will write descriptions where they can be found anatomically in the animal, order product, and travel to CSU to arrange the product for the photographer. 

This is an exciting time to be in agriculture; U.S. agriculture is at the forefront of feeding the world with high quality, dependable beef, pork, and lamb products. As a livestock producer, it is truly a privilege to work for an organization whose sole purpose is to put “U.S. meat on the world’s table.”

The U.S. Meat Export Federation is hosting Jessica Clowser of Seward, Neb., as their first summer intern supported by a partnership between the Nebraska Corn Board and USMEF. Jessica graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in December 2012 with a B.S. in Animal Science and recently returned from a semester internship with Nebraska Senator Mike Johanns in Washington, D.C. In Denver, Jessica will be assisting with promotions and international relationship opportunities.

Video: Importance of corn to the meat export market

In a news release last month, the Nebraska Corn Board noted that the United States sold more than $5.4 billion in U.S. beef and $6.1 billion in U.S. pork – both records – to international customers last year.

It's an achievement that comes, in part, due to the building of relationships with global customers over the years, Mark Jagels (@markjagels on Twitter), a farmer from Davenport and member of the Nebraska Corn Board, said in the release.

“International buyers and consumers want to know where their beef and pork are coming from. They want to know it is safe and nutritious, and they want U.S. farmers and ranchers to help tell that story,” Jagels said. “Farmers here in Nebraska and across the country help do that by using checkoff dollars to support international marketing efforts organized by the U.S. Meat Export Federation.”

In this video, Mark further discusses the importance of corn to the nation's growing meat export markets.
 

Midwest corn growers study tour examines key issues in EU

Farmers and corn organization staff members from Nebraska, Iowa and Illinois returned from the European Union yesterday. They were in Europe for a study tour that spent time in The Netherlands, Germany and Hungary.

Key issues discussed with numerous organizations during the mission included animal welfare regulations, biotechnology, ethanol imports, sustainability regulations, the farm bill (CAP in the EU), agricultural trade and production.

The mission was coordinated by the U.S. Grains Council, with components focusing on beef and pork being organized by the U.S. Meat Export Federation.

A summary of several days of the mission is available at the Midwest Corn Growers Study Tour blog. (Older posts on a mission to Brazil and Argentina are also included on the blog.)

Here's a list of the main posts from the EU mission, just click through for details:

Getting Grounded - Cary Sifferath, director of Mediterranean and Africa initiatives for the U.S. Grains Council, gave the group a briefing on the grain and commodity markets in the European Union. He noted that France, Romania, Italy, and Hungary are the top corn-producing countries in the EU. He also covered biotechnology (GMOs) and biofuels.

Nice to Meat and Zanderbergen - John Brook of the U.S. Meat Export Federation introduced the group to a couple of companies that are leading the way for U.S. beef in the European Union. They include Nice to Meat, which imports black angus from the U.S., and Zanderbergen, a family-owned company that is the largest importer of beef in the EU.

'Tell what you do. Do what you tell.' - A Dutch swine farm including time with farmer Jan van Schijndel and a representative from VION, a Netherlands-based farmer-owned cooperative that is among one of the largest meat processors and distributors in the EU. Also discussed were new regulations go into effect in 2013 prohibiting the use of sow gestation crates.

We pick their brains. They pick ours. - Time at the international headquarters of Alfred C. Toepfer International, where the group me with grain market experts and economists.

Regulations. And more regulations. - A summary of a meeting with Andreas Feige, managing director of the International Sustainability Carbon Certification (ISCC) in the EU. Essentially, this system is a sustainability certification system. Proof of sustainability is required for biofuels to qualify for fulfillment of quotas or to be entitled for financial incentives.

Dekalb in Hungary - At a Monsanto seed corn plant in Nagyimand, Hungry, where Dekalb corn and oilseed rape is produced. They use a system of distributors and dealers to market their products, which include about 30 corn hybrids (all non-GMO, of course), mostly within the 90-100 day maturity.  Each bag of seed must be government certified!

A Bit of a Head Scratcher... - A visit to a port on the Danube River that has 84 storage buildings with a capacity of 256,000 bushels each. Even though the port is right on the Danube, only about 20% of the grain is shipped by barge. The remainder moves by truck or rail. Following this is a stop to visit farmer Ferenc Miko. Ferenc won his nation's corn yield contest last year with 302 bushels per acre on non-irrigated land.

A Roundtable with Sharp Corners - A frank discussion on regulations, biofuels, livestock production, animal nutrition and the new CAP program in the EU.

A team photo from the Ferenc Miko farm. The photo includes
Ference Miko (center, front row),
his wife (2nd from right, front row) and the
Dekalb seed representative (first left, front row)

Relationships helped secure record meat exports

In a news release yesterday, the Nebraska Corn Board noted that the United States sold more than $5.4 billion in U.S. beef and $6.1 billion in U.S. pork – both records – to international customers last year.

It's an achievement that comes, in part, due to the building of relationships with global customers over the years, Mark Jagels, a farmer from Davenport and member of the Nebraska Corn Board, said in the release.

“International buyers and consumers want to know where their beef and pork are coming from. They want to know it is safe and nutritious, and they want U.S. farmers and ranchers to help tell that story,” Jagels said. “Farmers here in Nebraska and across the country help do that by using checkoff dollars to support international marketing efforts organized by the U.S. Meat Export Federation.”

U.S. beef promotion at Daiei Grocery Store in Tokyo last year.

Jagels is a fourth generation farmer – he's also vice-chairman of the U.S. Meat Export Federation. During a presentation at this year's Commodity Classice, he noted that pork exports jumped 18 percent to 2.25 million tons and beef exports 21 percent to 1.29 million tons in 2011.

That equals a lot of soybeans, corn and distillers grains going overseas via value-added red meat products – more than 94 million bushels of soybeans and more than 568 million bushels of corn.

Kelsey Pope, the Nebraska Corn Board’s director of advocacy and outreach, said 27.5 percent of the pork produced in the United States was exported last year, adding $55.55 to the value of each hog. Nearly 13 percent of the total came from meat products not typically consumed in the United States.

As for beef, she said, 14 percent of all U.S. beef was exported in 2011, adding a record $206.37 to the value of each steer and heifer processed. “Like with pork, about 13 percent of the total came from meat products we don’t generally consume in the U.S. but are highly valued by international customers,” she said.

Support from the Nebraska Corn Board for the U.S. Meat Export Federation totaled $430,000 in 2011, but other Nebraska ag groups, including the soybean and beef checkoffs, brought the total support from Nebraska farmers and ranchers to more than $1.2 million. When you compare this with the $1.3 billion export value of Nebraska beef and pork in 2011, the return on investment is tremendous.

For more, click here.

U.S. red meat exports set new records in 2011

Exports of U.S. pork, beef and lamb set new records across the board in 2011, according to year-end statistics released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF).

Pork exports totaled 2.255 million metric tons (4.97 billion pounds) valued at $6.11 billion, breaking the 2008 volume record of 2.052 million metric tons (4.5 billion pounds) and shattering the value record of $4.88 billion. Year-over-year, pork exports were up 18 percent in volume and 28 percent in value.

Export value per head slaughtered was $55.55, an increase of 27 percent (nearly $12) from a year ago.

Beef exports finished the year at 1.287 million metric tons (2.83 billion pounds) valued at $5.42 billion. This broke the 2003 volume record of 1.274 million metric tons (2.8 billion pounds) and easily surpassed the 2010 value record of $4.08 billion. Export volume was 21 percent larger than in 2010, with value up 33 percent.

Beef export value per fed steer and heifer slaughtered was a record $206.37 in 2011, which was more than one-third higher than a year ago ($153.09).

Just as important as feeding corn and its co-products to livestock is developing markets for Nebraska beef and pork overseas. After all, sending corn-fed beef and pork to international customers around the world has a larger economic impact than exporting raw corn and corn co-products.

This is why the Nebraska Corn Board has invested several million dollars into USMEF market promotion activities and supported U.S. beef and pork trade missions around the world.

Beatrice pork producer honored at Nebraska State Fair

Brian Zimmerman and his family were recognized by the Nebraska Corn Board and Nebraska Pork Producers Association at the recent Nebraska State Fair.

Left to right: Alden Zuhlke, board member of the Nebraska Pork
Producers Association; Tammy Zimmerman;
Brian Zimmerman; Austin Zimmerman, and Bob
Dickey, farmer-director on the Nebraska Corn Board.

Zimmerman, owner/manager of Zimmerman Hog Farms near Beatrice, and his family were honored for their commitment to Nebraska agriculture, the Nebraska Corn Board and Nebraska Pork Producers said in a news release. The annual award is given to a dedicated individual or family in the pork industry in Nebraska who shows respect and devotion to improving Nebraska agriculture.

Bob Dickey, farmer-director on the Nebraska Corn Board, and Alden Zuhlke, board member of the Nebraska Pork Producers and long time family friend, were present to honor Zimmerman and his wife, Tammy, and children, Austin and Shelby.

“I’m proud to be here today to honor a deserving pork producer and his family, for their commitment to Nebraska agriculture,” Dickey said during the presentation.

“Brian has always worked to promote opportunities in agriculture and the pork industry for youth leaders. It’s fitting for him to receive this award at the Nebraska State Fair, where so many 4-H and FFA youth get their start,” said Zuhlke.

Zimmerman has been very involved in the state as a past president of the Nebraska Pork Producers Association and has served on the board since 1996. Nationally, he is just finishing his term on the National Pork Board, has served on the National Pork Board’s Administrative Committee, Animal Welfare Committee and Demand Enhancement Committee. Locally, he is member of the Blue Valley Pork Producers and has served as president and state director.

Cooking pork is cooler than ever

When you order a pork chop from a nice restaurant, they don’t ask how you want it cooked.

But that has changed as pork producers across the nation are welcoming the news that the USDA has officially lowered the recommended cooking temperature for pork to 145 degrees Fahrenheit, followed by a three-minute rest time before you cut it. This means pork will now be held to the same standard as the other red meats: beef, veal and lamb.

How did this come about? The new recommendation evolved from a 2007 Pork Checkoff-funded research project conducted by Ohio State University to measure consumer eating preferences. As part of that project the university researchers tested how various end-cooking temperatures affected eating preferences. But the researchers needed to know if temperatures below 160 degrees would be safe if that turned out to be consumers' preference.

That question resulted in a Checkoff-funded research project to conduct a risk assessment to evaluate any food-safety implications of cooking temperatures within a range of 145-160 degrees Fahrenheit.

The risk assessment found that cooking pork to an internal temperature of 145 degrees was equivalent to cooking pork to 160 degrees. Checkoff-funded research conducted by Texas A&M supports the fact that meat temperature continues to rise after being removed from the heat and the reality that "resting time" between cooking and eating is at least that long. Therefore, USDA’s Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS) agreed that the cooking temperature for pork could be lowered.

"Our consumer research has consistently shown that Americans have a tendency to overcook common cuts of pork, resulting in a less-than-optimal eating experience," said Dianne Bettin, a pork producer from Truman, Minn., and chair of the Checkoff's Domestic Marketing Committee. "The new guidelines will help consumers enjoy pork at its most flavorful, juicy - and safe - temperature."

The revised recommendation applies to pork whole-muscle cuts, such as loin, chops and roasts. Ground pork, like all ground meat, should be cooked to 160 degrees Fahrenheit. Regardless of cut or cooking method, both the USDA and National Pork Board recommend using a digital cooking thermometer to ensure an accurate final temperature.

"It's great news that home cooks can now feel confident to enjoy medium-rare pork, like they do with other meats," said Guy Fieri, a chef, restaurateur and host of several food-focused television programs. "Pork cooked to this temperature will be juicy and tender. The foodservice industry has been following this pork cooking standard for nearly 10 years."

The new recommendation reflects advances in both food safety and nutritional content of pork in recent years. On average, most common cuts of pork are 16 percent leaner than 20 years ago, and saturated fat has dropped 27 percent. In fact, pork tenderloin is now as lean as the leanest type of chicken - a skinless chicken breast.

Additional information about cooking pork, including recipes, is available at PorkBeInspired.com, or Facebook.com/PorkBeInspired.