News Update
April 15, 2013
Self Interest, Shared Goal
Being good at what you do every time is no accident.
“My dad said anyone can sell something once,” John Siebert told his ag business class. “It’s selling something multiple times to the same person that takes a lot of work and expertise.”
On March 19, the Texas A&M agricultural economist asked four links in the Certified Angus Beef® (CABreg;) brand supply chain to share their experiences: CAB president John Stika; rancher James Henderson of Bradley 3 Ranch; Joe Boutte, director of business development for Houston-based Freedman Meats Inc.; and Ric Rosser, concept/executive chef for Saltgrass Steakhouse and West Coast Claim Jumper.
Stika kicked off the forum, describing how CAB functions in a segmented industry.
“We don’t own any cattle. We don’t own any steaks, or roasts or ground beef. What we own is a building in Wooster, Ohio, three minivans, and this logo,” he said pointing to the CAB crown jewel.
“Everything that this brand is based on is determined by the value we create in your minds, or the minds of consumers,” Stika said. “Whether they’re at foodservice or retail, it’s the trust that they have that this brand is going to deliver beyond expectations for taste and quality.”
CAB has added value to the breed since 1978, but also helped created “Angus confusion,” he allowed.
“McDonald’s, Domino’s, Arby’s and other Angus beef programs — out of the leading brand’s success, Angus has become the embodiment of quality,” he said.
Siebert described the brand’s influence as a constant flow. “Picture Certified Angus Beef’s finished-product creation working like a stream of water,” he said. “This is called the food marketing chain. Upstream are the seedstock producers of high-quality Angus genetics.”
For more information and the full release, click here.
NCBA Statement on Japan and
the Trans-Pacific Partnership
National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) President-elect Bob McCan, a cattleman from Victoria, Texas, made the following statement regarding Japan and the Trans-Pacific Partnership:
“Cattlemen and women are encouraged by the Obama administration’s announcement to include Japan in the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TTP) negotiations. Japan is an important ally to the United States and we hope this will strengthen the ties between our two nations. We urge the U.S. government and the government of Japan to continue working together to establish international trade standards based on sound science and market-driven principles. The TPP has the potential to be a new era in global trade where all TPP countries can compete for consumer demand without the hindrance of protectionism.”
Japan was the second largest export market for U.S. beef in 2012 at $1 billion in sales. On Feb. 1, 2013, Japan implemented new import protocols allowing U.S. beef from cattle harvested under 30 months in age. This was an important step forward to improve market access for U.S. beef into Japan, which previously limited imports to beef from cattle under 21 months in age.
Currently, the United States, Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Chile, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore and Vietnam are involved in the TPP negotiations.
American Farm Bureau Federation President
Regarding U.S. Approval of Japan TTP
“The American Farm Bureau Federation is pleased with the decision of the U.S. to approve the addition of Japan as a negotiating partner in the Trans Pacific Partnership. As a major U.S. trading partner, Japan would bolster the reach of the TPP for U.S. agriculture.
“As the fourth-largest U.S. agricultural export market, with nearly $14 billion in purchases in 2012, trade with Japan is important to America’s farmers and ranchers. Both the United States and Japan will benefit from Japan being a TPP partner, and by sharing in improved sanitary and phytosanitary standards for agricultural trade and expanded market access with TPP nations.
“The recent decision by Japan to increase access for U.S. beef shows that Japan can act to improve market access for U.S. agricultural products based on sound science. A comprehensive TPP agreement that includes Japan will strengthen trade relationships, address remaining barriers and improve the competitiveness of the Asia/Pacific market.”
Spring Beef Workshop and Pasture Tour
set April 29 in Frost, TX
No one can change the weather, but it is possible to change pasture management strategies to adapt to drought and uncertainty, said Logan Lair, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service agent for Navarro County.
To offer agricultural producers alternative management strategies, AgriLife Extension in Navarro and Hill counties is offering the Spring Beef Workshop and Pasture Tour April 29 in Frost, Texas.
Though greatly improved from last year, area pastures have yet to fully recover from years of drought or drought-like conditions, Lair said.
“There are a number of options to consider, even re-introducing native grasses, but the goal is better profitability — to get more forage from fewer inputs,” he said.
Registration for the program is $10 and begins at 8:30 a.m. at the Frost Baptist Church, 101 E. Stroud St., Frost, Texas. Lair asked those planning to attend to RSVP by April 22 to facilitate meal planning. Contact Lair at 903-654-3075 or jllair@ag.tamu.edu.
The morning program will be hosted indoors at the church. First up will be Jason Banta, AgriLife Extension beef specialist, Overton, who will present “Basic Cattle Working and Health Considerations.” He will be followed by Larry Redmon, AgriLife Extension state forage specialist, College Station, whose topic will be “Pasture Recovery Following Drought: Considerations for the Future.”
Three continuing education units for Texas Department of Agriculture private pesticide license holders will be offered — one in integrated pest management and two in the general category.
There will be 2.5 Beef Quality Assurance credits offered, as well. For more information and the full release, click here.
Update for Veterinarians Program Planned Near Chariton
The 20th annual “Update for Veterinarians” program by the Iowa State University (ISU) Iowa Beef Center (IBC) features a full day of education focused on beef cattle. ISU Extension and Outreach beef program specialist Joe Sellers is organizing the program and invites practitioners who work with cattle to make plans now to attend the May 15 event at the Iowa State McNay Research Farm near Chariton.
“All of our speakers have Iowa State connections, including three new faculty and staff members who’ve come to Iowa State since the 2012 program,” Sellers said. “This is an opportunity for our veterinary colleagues to get acquainted with these folks and their areas of expertise. Also, the program has been approved for six hours of continuing education credits.”
Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. with the first of three morning speakers starting at 9 a.m. Four more presentation sessions, including a group discussion, will follow lunch. Those who preregister by May 13 will pay $50 per person, which includes the noon meal. Those who preregister after May 13 and those who register onsite will pay $70.
The brochure with registration form is available on the IBC website. For more information, contact Sellers by phone at 641-203-1270 or by email at sellers@iastate.edu.
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