The Meat Site:

[Mustang Sally Farm]

Friday, March 09, 2012

FAO Food Price Index Rises Again

GLOBAL - The FAO’s Food Price Index rose by one per cent, or 2.4 points from January to February. The Index climbed nearly two per cent in January – its first increase in six months.
 

The increase in the February Index was mostly driven by higher prices of sugar, oils and cereals while dairy prices fell slightly after a marked rise in January. At its current level, the Index was 10 per cent below its peak in February 2011.
 
Increased imports due to a weaker US Dollar and plunging freight rates have also characterized world markets since the beginning of 2012. This, combined with unfavourable weather conditions in major exporting countries has supported world prices in recent weeks, FAO said in a brief accompanying the Food Price Index.
 
The FAO Cereal Price Index averaged 227 points in February, up two per cent, or 4.4 points, from January. International wheat prices rose most followed by maize, while rice quotations were generally lower.
 
The FAO Oils/Fats Price Index registered another gain in February to 239 points, two per cent or five points, higher than in January. Poor monthly production growth in palm oil, together with the prospect of a tight supply and demand balance for total vegetable oils were among the reasons.
 
The FAO Meat Price Index averaged 175 points in February, virtually unchanged from the previous month’s level. Prices of pig meat gained 3.4 per cent, sustained by strong purchases in Asia and recent disease outbreaks in the Russia Federation. By contrast, prices of poultry, bovine and sheep meat lost some ground.
 
The FAO Dairy Price Index averaged 205 points in February, down marginally from January, The decline was mainly caused by falling skim milk powder and casein quotations. However, prices of butter, cheese and whole milk powder remained relatively steady.
 
The FAO Sugar Price Index rose to 342 points in February, up 2.4 per cent, or eight points, from January, but still 18 per cent (76 points) lower than in February last year. Last month’s increase was largely driven by unfavourable weather conditions in Brazil, the world's largest producer and exporter of sugar.

[Mustang Sally Farm]

Australian Agricultural Commodities Report – March 2012
Australian pig meat production is forecast to increase by one per cent in 2012–13 to around 352,000 tonnes and to increase gradually to 370,000 tonnes by 2016–17, according to the Agricultural Commodities report from the Australian Government.

Overview
The Australian pig industry has experienced considerable competition from imports in the domestic processed pig meat sector. Under Australia’s quarantine arrangements, all imported frozen pig meat must be processed (mostly into bacon and ham). Over the 10 years to 2010–11, pig meat imports as a share of total domestic pig meat consumption grew from 15 per cent to 48 per cent. Over the medium-term, competition from imports in the processed pig meat sector is projected to increase. As a result, Australian producers are expected to continue focusing their efforts on producing meat mainly for the fresh meat market.

The weighted average Australian over-the-hooks price of pigs is forecast to fall by two per cent in 2012–13 to around 275 cents a kilogram. Lower forecast prices of feed grains, which account for about 55 per cent of total production costs, are expected to support higher domestic production in 2012–13. While weighted average prices have fallen since their peak in 2007–08, lower feed grain costs have since resulted in an increase in the pig-to-feed price ratio, providing support for returns to Australian pig producers.


Australian pig-to-feed price ratios yearly, ended December 2011

Over the medium term, the weighted average over-the-hooks price of pigs is projected to fall to around 265 cents a kilogram (in 2011–12 dollars) by 2016–17. This reflects a projected increase in domestic fresh pig meat production, continued productivity improvements and the effect of increased competition with imported processed pig meat. With the Australian dollar assumed to remain relatively strong over the medium term, demand for imported processed pig meat is projected to rise.

Production for the Fresh Market to Rise
Australian pig meat production is forecast to increase by one per cent in 2012–13 to around 352,000 tonnes. Over the medium term, pig meat production is projected to increase gradually to 370,000 tonnes by 2016–17, partly as a result of projected lower feed grain costs and increased demand for pig meat.

The composition of domestic pig meat production is projected to change over the medium-term. According to Australian Pork Limited, fresh pig meat accounts for around 40 per cent of pig meat consumption in Australia. Over the medium term, domestic production of fresh pig meat is projected to increase to 315,000 tonnes by 2016–17, compared with 273,000 tonnes in 2010–11. Greater industry emphasis on the fresh market is expected to lead to a slight decline in average slaughter weights, as more young pigs are turned off.

Processed pig meat accounts for the remaining 60 per cent of pig meat consumption in Australia. Given the increasing emphasis on the fresh pig meat market, the proportion of domestic processed pig meat production relative to total domestic pig meat production has fallen – from 37 per cent in 2003–04 to 20 per cent in 2010–11. By 2016–17, this share is projected to decline further to around 15 per cent, as a result of strong import competition. This represents about a 20 per cent fall in production of Australian processed pig meat over the medium term from 69,000 tonnes (carcass weight equivalent) in 2010–11 to around 55,000 tonnes by 2016–17.

Australian pig meat consumption was rising by an average of around two per cent a year in the 1990s and early 2000s. However, growth in pig meat consumption has slowed in the past five years, with per–person consumption reaching around 25kg a year. Over the medium term, relatively higher projected retail prices for red meats, namely beef and sheep meat, are expected to support pig meat consumption. Per–person consumption of pig meat is projected to rise slightly to 25.6kg by 2016–17.

Imports Continue to Grow
Australian pig meat imports have grown steadily over the past 10 years, from 26,000 tonnes in 2000–01 to 132,000 tonnes in 2010–11 (shipped weight). In 2012–13, imports are forecast to increase by four per cent to 143,000 tonnes, up from 138,000 tonnes in 2011–12. Over the medium term, pig meat imports are projected to increase further, reaching 164,000 tonnes by 2016–17.

In 2010–11, pig meat imports fell eight per cent compared with the previous year. Coinciding with this reduction in Australian imports was an outbreak of foot and mouth disease in the Republic of Korea in late 2010, which led to the culling of more than a million pigs. Subsequently, Korean demand for imported pig meat rose strongly and imports from the United States, Canada and Denmark (Australia’s three largest suppliers) increased by 35 per cent. Although the United States was able to increase pig meat exports to Australia, exports from Canada and Denmark to Australia fell by 25 per cent and 18 per cent, respectively.

Export Growth to Slow over the Medium Term
Australian pig meat exports are forecast to increase by two per cent in 2012–13 to around 32,500 tonnes (shipped weight), compared with 32,000 tonnes in 2011–12. Singapore, Papua New Guinea and New Zealand are expected to remain Australia’s largest markets for pig meat, accounting for around two-thirds of total shipments. Over the medium-term, Australian pig meat exports are projected to remain around 15 per cent of domestic production (on a carcass weight equivalent basis), reaching about 36,000 tonnes by 2016–17.

Australian pig meat imports and exports

[Mustang Sally Farm]

Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Stunning the Rule, Ritual Slaughter the Exception

FRANCE - When it comes to slaughter, stunning is the rule, ritual slaughter is the exception, said Agriculture Minister Bruno Le Maire, when shedding the light on the practice of ritual slaughter in France.

14 per cent of all animals slaughtered in France, are slaughtered ritually.

Knowing how an animal is killed is the legitimate right of the consumer, this requires clear labelling , he said.
 
Last week, a regulation which will increase the regulatory monitoring of ritual slaughter came into play.
 
It is hoped that this new law will improve animal welfare and transparency where ritual slaughter is concerned.
 
Slaughterhouses wishing to carry out ritual slaughter must now be authorised to do so.

[Mustang Sally Farm]

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Brazil Looks to US to Increase Beef Exports

BRAZIL - Brazilian beef exports are expected to reach $6 billion in 2012, an increase on 11 per cent on 2011 figures, which would return Brazil to the world leader in beef exports, lost to the US in 2011.


The Brazilian Beef Exporters Association (ABIEC) says that increased demand from Russia, Europe and Iran, as well as new markets such as the US and Indonesia will improve exports.
 
Russia has recently lifted a ban on Brazilian beef, which was established on health grounds, the EU has also opened up markets.

ABIEC Executive Director, Fernando Sampaio said: "We hope to return growth to these markets."
 
Brazil are also hoping to increase exports to China, which has recently given access for five large Brazilian units to export beef.
 
Access to US markets
 
With a Brazilian visit to the US coming up, Brazil is confident that the US will revise current regulations which restrict imports of Brazilian beef.

Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff is set to visit the US in April. Minister of Agriculture, Mendes Ribeiro Filho, said he was confident that the US markets would open up to Brazilian products.

Minister Filho has met with numerous US officials and says that he has left all the meetings optimistic, he will accompany the President on her visit to Washington.

Last week, US Deputy Secretary of State, William Burns visited Brazil, and was asked about the barriers imposed on certain Brazilian beef and a revision of the Treaty of Economic and Commercial Cooperation.

Over the next two weeks, representatives from the Brazilian government will visit Washington to establish lines of discussion in areas of trade and investment.

[Mustang Sally Farm]

Thursday, March 15, 2012
 
End to Hormone Beef Trade War

GLOBAL - EU concessions to help put an end to the 20-year hormone beef trade war with the USA and Canada were approved by MEPs on Wednesday. The deal allows the EU to keep its ban on imports of hormone-treated beef, in return for increasing its quota for imports of high-quality beef from the US and Canada.

The deal would raise the EU's quality beef import quota to 48,200 tonnes.

The US and Canada have already suspended duties, imposed in retaliation against the EU's hormone-treated beef ban, on previously "blacklisted" products originating in 26 EU Member States (all except the UK), worth over US $ 250 million at today's prices.
 
"This long-lasting trading dispute will end today. This is a win-win resolution for the EU. Parliament has taken a step that will enable the EU agricultural industry to plan ahead again and that will strengthen transatlantic trade links," said rapporteur Godelieve Quisthoudt-Rowohl (EPP).
 
Parliament made no substantive amendments to the text proposed by the European Commission. The deal, approved at the first reading with 650 votes in favour, 11 against and 11 abstentions, had already been informally backed by the Council. The increase in EU import quotas will take effect from August 2012.
 
History of a trade war
 
The beef hormone dispute has affected transatlantic trade relations since 1988 when the EU, concerned for health of its citizens, banned imports of beef treated with certain growth-promoting hormones.

In 1996, the US and Canada, which were worst affected by the ban, challenged it under the World Trade Organisation (WTO) dispute settlement system and were subsequently authorised to impose trade sanctions on EU produce worth respectively US $ 116.8 million and C $ 11.3 million a year.
 
These duties hampered EU exports and led to a loss of market share for EU producers. The EU products affected by the sanctions included bovine and swine meat products, Roquefort cheese, chocolate, juices, jams and fresh truffles.
 
The main beneficiaries of the lifting of the US and Canadian sanctions are Italy, with produce worth over US $ 99 million, Poland, (US $ 25 million), Greece and Ireland (US $ 24 million each), Germany and Denmark (US $ 19 million each), France (US $ 13 million) and Spain (US $ 9 million).
 
Last week, the USDA also published proposals to remove import barriers on BSE products, which would further open up US markets for the EU.

NFU chief livestock adviser Peter Garbutt said: “The beef industry has gone through a difficult number of years but since 2006 more export markets have opened and beef exports have increased year on year driving returns for producers.
 
“This move would open up further export opportunities for UK producers and I believe we can be positive and optimistic about our market prospects in the future”.

[Mustang Sally Farm]

Friday, March 16, 2012
Mixed Trends in Livestock Supplies to Date
IRELAND - To date this year, mixed trends have been evident for meat supplies at export meat plants, reports Peter Duggan, Strategic Information Services, Bord Bia-Irish Food Board.
 
Cattle supplies as expected have tightened further on the back of reduced availability of cattle for finishing as discussed in this 2011/12 Meat and Livestock Review. In contrast, an increase in sheep and pig supplies has been evident due to a combination of an increase in productivity and some increase in numbers.

According to the CSO, cattle supplies were three per cent higher at 124,700 head in January as strong prices encouraged some forward marketing of stock. AIM data for the 1 December 2011 shows a reduction of almost 130,000 head in the number of cattle in the 12-30 month age bracket compared to a year earlier. Up to first week of March, cattle supplies are back by over six per cent or 16,600 head to 256,300 head. For the year as a whole, a reduction of 70-90,000 head is anticipated. A strong decline in steer and heifer availability is only expected to be partly offset by higher young bull and cow disposals.

The December 2011 livestock survey showed an increase of over four per cent in the sheep breeding flock at 2.52 million head. Supplies at export meat plants to date are running five per cent higher at 276,400 head as increased numbers were carried forward into 2012. Irish sheep prices more than seven per cent higher at €4.90 excluding VAT.

In terms of pigs, export meat plant supplies are currently six per cent ahead of last year’s levels at 457,000 head, reflecting higher levels of productivity. For the year though, the pig supply base is not likely to show any change on last year’s levels. The breeding herd recorded a fall of two per cent in the December 2011 livestock survey.

[Mustang Sally Farm]

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

Bacon Week Set to Sizzle Across Australia

AUSTRALIA - Bacon is set to sizzle across Australia this week as the third annual Bacon Week gets underway.


Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Senator Joe Ludwig, launched Bacon Week and said it was an initiative of Australian Pork Limited to celebrate home grown bacon.

“The industry has come a long way in recent years and the future is bright,” Minister Ludwig said.

“Australian pig meat consumption continues to increase and production is forecast to rise by around 1 per cent to 347,000 tonnes in 2011-12 and by 7 per cent to 370,000 tonnes by 2016-17.

“This is good news for Australian pork producers who produce a range of products including bacon, ham and small goods.

“I encourage pork lovers to buy Australian.”

Minister Ludwig said the pork industry was innovative and working to tackle challenges as well as increase production.

“The innovative thinking of many in the sector has seen Australia’s pork industry grow in leaps and bounds – not only in terms of production and consumer popularity, but also in improved animal welfare and environmental outcomes,” he said.

“Last November I visited a piggery in Grantham where this industry was involved in the launch of the first methodology in the Carbon Farming Initiative, reducing methane emissions from manure by destroying gas or using it to generate heat and electricity.

“In other areas too, the Australian pig meat industry is working to ensure it has a bright future. The ABARES annual Outlook conference highlighted the achievements of agricultural industries, including responding to consumer demands in labelling and animal welfare.”

Minister Ludwig last week presented the 2012 National Bacon Awards for Excellence in Canberra, congratulating winners on the high quality of their short cut and full rasher bacon products.

Australian Bacon Week runs from 18 to 25 March 2012.

[Mustang Sally Farm]

Wednesday, March 21, 2012
China Issues New Licences for Uruguayan Beef

CHINA and URUGUAY - China has approved new licences for Uruguayan beef exports said the Ururguyan Minister of Livestock, Agriculture and Fisheries (MCAP), Tabaré Aguerre.


"We received confirmation that the licenses requested were granted," Mr Aguerre told TheObserver.

The Minister stated that the Chinese market has been growing for Uruguay and currently represents 15 per cent of total exports of the meat sector but licence approval had been slow.

In 2011, meat placements to China reached $112 million. China is also an important market as it takes 50 per cent of Uruguay's offal production. It is difficult to find alternative markets for this product.

This year, Uruguay will face more than five audits from different countries as prospective buyers. This will, therefore, require a lot of work from the Animal Health and Livestock Services to support these audits.

[Mustang Sally Farm]

Broiler Meat Consumption Revised Downward

CHINA - The 2012 forecast for broiler meat production has been forecast downward to 13.7 million metric tons.

The downward trend is attributable to a decline in average slaughter weight, according to the USDA's China Poultry & Products Semi-annual. Due to a drop in pork prices, concerns regarding oversupply, weak demand, and declining prices for broiler meats spurred some producers to slaughter birds prematurely, resulting in lower average slaughter weights.

The forecast for broiler meat consumption has also been revised downward by less than one per cent. Hong Kong's decision to suspend live bird imports from December 2011 to January 2012 due to the H5N1 outbreak has had no effect on consumption.

Broiler imports are no longer forecast to increase due to lower consumer demand for broiler meat stemming from a decline in pork prices. China’s export forecast remains unchanged.

[Mustang Sally Farm]

Friday, March 23, 2012
Argentine Beef Exports Downward Trend Continues

ARGENTINA - Argentinean beef exports fell 16 per cent year-on-year in 2011, to 129,484 tonnes swt, continuing the downward trend of the past 10 years and registering the lowest yearly total since 2001, reports Meat and Livestock Australia.


The decline in export volumes during 2011 has resulted in Argentina slipping from the fourth largest global beef exporter to just inside the top 10.
 
The decline in export volumes coincides with a five per cent year-on-year reduction in beef production over the same period, to 2.5 million tonnes cwt. The fall in beef production and subsequent decline in exports reflects the intention of Argentinean producers to rebuild the cattle herd, which underwent liquidation during 2009 due to the severe drought.

In comparison to the record high export year of 2005 (437,547 tonnes swt) and to that of 2009 (379,290 tonnes swt), beef exports were 70 per cent and 66 per cent lower, respectively, in 2011. Furthermore, government intervention to increase the available domestic supply, combined with uncertainty over future government policies, has also underpinned the lower export volumes.
 
Total exports to Germany (25,127 tonnes swt) and Israel (24,330 tonnes swt) during 2011 declined five per cent and eight per cent year-on-year, respectively, while shipments to Chile (21,876 tonnes swt) increased 22 per cent over the same period. The rise in exports to Chile was almost exclusively in chilled product, with volumes increasing 24 per cent year-on-year, to 21,589 tonnes swt. Exports to Russia over the past few years have fallen considerably, particularly from the 171,000 tonnes swt sent in 2006 and the 139,000 tonnes swt shipped in 2009. Total volumes sent in 2011 were 15,431 tonnes swt – 47 per cent lower than 2010.
 
Despite the reduction in overall beef exports, chilled shipments surprisingly increased one per cent, to 62,846 tonnes swt.

Correspondingly, frozen beef exports fell 28 per cent, to 66,638 tonnes swt. Total export returns for 2011 increased 10 per cent year-on-year, to US$1.15 billion, with values improving across most major export markets despite the significant reductions in shipments.

[Mustang Sally Farm]

USDA Poultry Slaughter: Ready-to-Cook Weight Up 4 Per Cent
The USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) reports a four per cent increase in poultry ready-to-cook (RTC) weights in its monthly Poultry Slaughter report.

Poultry certified wholesome during February 2012 (ready-to-cook weight) totaled 3.47 billion pounds, up 4 per cent from the amount certified in February 2011. The January 2012 revised certified total at 3.62 billion pounds, was down 1 per cent from January 2011. The January revision represented an increase of 2.69 million pounds from last month's preliminary pounds certified.
 
The preliminary total live weight of all federally inspected poultry during February 2012 was 4.60 billion pounds, up 4 per cent from 4.42 billion pounds a year ago. Young chickens inspected totaled 3.93 billion pounds, up 4 per cent from February 2011. Mature chickens, at 61.0 million pounds, were down slightly from the previous year. Turkey inspections totaled 586 million pounds, up 7 per cent from a year ago. Ducks totaled 13.5 million pounds, up 7 per cent from last year.
 
Young chickens slaughtered during February 2012 averaged 5.82 pounds per bird, up 1 per cent from February 2011. The average live weight of mature chickens was 5.52 pounds per bird, down 1 per cent from a year ago. Turkeys slaughtered during February 2012 averaged 30.8 pounds per bird, up 1 per cent from February 2011.
 
Ante-mortem condemnations during February 2012 totaled 9.56 million pounds. Condemnations were 0.21 per cent of the live weight inspected, as compared with 0.26 per cent a year earlier. Post-mortem condemnations, at 34.4 million pounds, were 0.98 per cent of quantities inspected, as compared with 1.09 per cent a year earlier.
 
February 2011 contained 20 weekdays (including 1 holiday) and 4 Saturdays. February 2012 contained 21 weekdays (including 1 holiday) and 4 Saturdays.

 
Published by USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS)

[Mustang Sally Farm]

Philippines Improves Dairy Competitiveness

PHILIPPINES - The Philippines has partnered with the Babcock Institute for International Dairy Research and Development (IDRD) to upgrade farmers’ global competitiveness even as the country now produces Dutch-origin Gouda Cheese under a two-pronged livelihood creation and import substitution programme.


 ManilaBulletin reports that the Filipino dairy farmers linked with the Dairy Confederation of the Philippines have started collaborating for a training program with the IDRD in the University of Wisconsin (UW)-Madison to be able to acquire any global best practices in dairying.
 
The programme, supported with financing by the US Department of Agriculture and US dairy cooperative Land O’Lakes, sent in the second semester of 2011 eight dairy industry leaders to the IDRD.
 
The dairy training partnership programme included dairy herd improvement, marketing and value-added products, UW Cooperative Extension System, UW Center for Dairy Profitability, dairy cattle nutrition and feeding, Forage Center Activities, Basic dairy cattle health, Milk quality testing, and cow comfort and Facility Design and Biological Systems Engineering.
 
Government agencies have been supporting local dairy development as the sector has tremendous growth potential considering the huge market with the country’s dairy imports reaching $500 to $700 million annually.
 
A Gouda Cheese development programme is now under the Philippine Council for Agriculture Forestry and Natural Resources Research and Development’s (PCARRD) Technomart programme.
 
Here, dairy producers belonging to the Northern Mindanao Federation of Dairy Cooperatives (NMFDC) based at El Salvador City, Misamis Oriental are aided on raising their revenue as they produce Gouda Cheese, butter, lactoflan, and other flavored milk products.
 
With agencies like the National Dairy Authority (NDA) assisting in quality control of the dairy products, the Gouda Cheese of NMFDC has been purchased by the Dutch flag carrier KLM and has gained acceptance from recognised hotels.
 
“Fresh milk and other products produced and processed by NDA-assisted dairy farmers meet dairy industry standards. Customers-such as premium coffee shops and first-class hotels-are assured of quality items. Gouda cheese (Queso de Oro) has passed the discriminating test of cheese lovers,” reported NDA.
 
The NMFDC’s Gouda Cheese, stored at four to eight degrees centigrade for at least six months, have gained a market for its flavor. As storing process raises production cost, PCARRD has extended a help to the NMFDC through a biogas digester facility that has become a cheap source of energy for the storage facility. The power facility uses manure of dairy animals as gas source.
 
The programme has also identified a dairy expert called “Magsasaka Siyentista” (MS) to aid other dairy producers in adopting best practices. The MS, Crescencio Barros, has been able to prove that temperate purebreds Holstein, Freisian, Jersey, Guernsey, and Brown Swiss can thrive in the country.
 
The MS programme is helping other dairy producers address shortage of forage, produce concentrate feeds, and carry out rotational grazing.

[Mustang Sally Farm]

Philippine Chefs Introduced to US Beef, Pork, Lamb

Philippine Chefs Introduced to US Beef, Pork, LambChuck roll. Boston butt. Top sirloin. Kurobuta pork loin. Lamb loin chops. Bone-in beef short ribs. Even the all-American hot dog. The agenda for the 33 chefs, restaurant owners and importers from the Philippines at the recent two-day US Meat Export Federation (USMEF) US Meat Culinary Training Camp was a meaty one, to say the least.
 

Starting early in the morning and going late into the evening, the 33 Philippine meat industry professionals who participated in the 21-22 February seminar at the Oasis Hotel in Angeles City outside Manila worked their muscles, their imaginations and their taste buds as they learned about US beef, pork and lamb, tested new recipes and learned firsthand about the qualities of US red meat.





Sabrina Yin and chef Alex Chong instruct seminar participants
 
“This two-day intensive training program was a valuable and enriching experience for the participants,” said Sabrina Yin, USMEF-ASEAN director and co-instructor for the program with Alex Chong, executive chef of the Heritage Hotel Manila. “These people are hungry to learn more about US red meat, and they brought home notes, meat charts, educational brochures and factsheets on US beef, pork and lamb.”
 
Topics covered during day one of the training, which focused on beef, included an overview of the US meat industry, discussion of the US beef grading system, storage and handling of chilled and frozen meat, a cutting demonstration, cooking tips and information on rubs and marinades.

The cutting demonstration covered the chuck roll, top sirloin, top blade muscle, short plate, shoulder tender and hanging tender. Chef Chong prepared a menu for the participants that included:
 •Slow-cooked beef chuck roast with white radish and shiitake mushrooms flavored with star anise oyster sauce
•Asia wok-fried hanging tender with udon noodles and crispy beef wonton
•Grilled top sirloin with shallot merlot reduction, blue cheese potato croquettes and white oyster mushroom fritters
•Malaysian-style marinated beef shoulder tender with tomato rice on banana leaf and percik sauce



Participants were encouraged to marinate samples of the meat and cook them using their own recipes
 
The participants also were encouraged to marinate samples of the meat and cook them using their own recipes at the evening barbecue session.

Day two of the program focused mainly on US pork as well as lamb. Topics covered included product cuts, qualities and specifications, and a cutting demonstration on Boston butt, Kurobuta pork loin and lamb loin chop. The group also viewed several videos including “US Pork: Production and Harvest, a Commitment to Excellence” and the National Pork Board’s “Pork. One Cut at a Time.”
 
In addition to a luncheon featuring US pork sausages, the participants enjoyed a day-two menu prepared by chef Chong that featured:
 •Bistro-style grilled Boston butt steak, crispy chips and Thai red curry sauce
•Simply “fusion” grilled Kurobuta pork loin with marinated baby vegetables, balsamic reduction, and mango and pineapple salsa
•Oven-roasted bone-in lamb loin chops with red lentil dhal, seared asparagus roast garlic jus
•Oven-baked chuck short ribs, beetroot and onion salad with mustard vinaigrette

“From the feedback we received, we know that the participants were impressed both with the quality of the US meat cuts as well as the opportunity to learn about alternative cuts,” said Yin.

“Since most of the participants were chefs, we know they’re looking for the hands-on experience of cutting and preparing the meat, and are looking for ideas they can bring home to their own restaurants. The session was a huge success.”

Support for the program was provided through the Beef Checkoff, Pork Checkoff and USDA Market Access Program (MAP), while most of the meat samples were contributed by three sponsoring meat importers.

The Philippines is one of the top destinations in the ASEAN region for US beef and pork. In 2011, it bought 38,883 metric tons (85.7 million pounds) of US pork valued at $92.2 million and 12,760 metric tons (28.1 million pounds) of US beef valued at $38.1 million.

[Mustang Sally Farm]

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Quality Beef Premiums Continue to Grow

US - Beef feeders can look for continued payment of quality-grid premiums from packing plants, said a University of Missouri Extension economist.


“This only happens because they really need quality cattle,” said Scott Brown, an agricultural economist who follows the beef markets. “With high demand and short supplies of quality beef, packers are more willing to share.”
 
Brown’s advice for beef farmers seeking to capture quality-grid premiums: “Shoot for prime. That’s where the money is. Don’t stop at choice grade.
 
“Choice-select spreads are attractive at times, but prime premiums are more consistent over time,” Mr Brown continued. “Now, prime premiums are increasing faster.
 
“Top grid premiums of over $35 per hundredweight of prime-quality carcass are paid to help meet the demand for high-quality beef.” Mr Brown spoke at an educational event for members of the Missouri Beef Industry Council.
 
Mr Brown expects premiums for USDA prime quality grade beef to continue to rise as the economy recovers.
 
Demand comes from US consumers, but especially from global buyers. US beef producers should be excited about the continued opening of new trade agreements, such as one just confirmed with South Korea, Brown said.
 
Even in the recession, US consumers increased their shopping for choice and prime cuts, he said. “Consumers will pay for prime. They want a quality eating experience.”
 
Mr Brown said consumers pay for quality, and not just in beef. “Who would think we’d pay over $2 a cup for a Grande Starbucks coffee? We could make a cup of coffee at home for 15 or 20 cents.”
 
With rising demand and shrinking beef supply, consumers may face higher prices at the meat case.
 
“I don’t know if we will meet consumer price resistance,” Mr Brown said. “I’m not a great believer that higher meat prices cause demand destruction. Consumers send signals about the meat they want through prices.”
 
Brown said an early indicator of the general economic recovery came from the restaurant index, which gauges optimism of food-service operators.
 
“Restaurants took a real hit in 2009, in the depth of the recession,” Mr Brown said. “But the index grew by 1.1 per cent in the February report after a strong January. Sustained growth will show consumer confidence and create more demand pull.”
 
Producing prime calves doesn’t happen by chance, Mr Brown told farmers. Prime quality can be reached by using protocols developed at MU Thompson Farm. Dave Patterson, MU Extension beef specialist, has proven that prime becomes possible on a regular basis by using proven, high-accuracy AI sires.
 
Using timed artificial insemination results in uniform lots of calves sought by feed yards and packing plants. Buyers pay more for groups of uniform calves of the same quality.
 
“The Show-Me-Select Replacement Heifer Programme brought better genetics to the state of Missouri,” Mr Brown said. “It shows how to get high-quality calves. The program not only produces quality replacement heifers, but steer mates are worth more at the packing plant.”

[Mustang Sally Farm]

Friday, March 30, 2012

Saha Farms Sees End to Korea Poultry Ban

THAILAND & SOUTH KOREA - Saha Farms Co, a leader in Thai poultry, expects the South Korean government to lift the ban on Thai frozen chicken imports by July.


Bangkok Post reports that the move should boost the value of Thai poultry exports to South Korea, which has maintained a ban on Thai products for eight years after bird flu broke out in Thailand in 2004.

Manoonsri Chotitawan, the president of Saha Farms, praised the private sector's participation in the roadshow to the country with the Thai government.

The company joined the roadshow in an attempt to urge South Korea to lift the ban, noting the Thai government has improved management to control the spread of bird flu since 2010.

Dr Chotitawan expects a decision by July.

Saha Farms exported 12,000 tonnes of cooked chicken to South Korea last year and expects to ship 15,000 tonnes this year out of total Thai exports of 420,000 tonnes a year.

Thailand recorded a trade deficit with South Korea, exporting agricultural products, electric circuits, computers and components while importing high-technology electrical machinery, steel and metal.

Two-way trade between Thailand and South Korea over the past five years (2008-12) has averaged US$10.47 billion a year.

Last year, it rose to $13.8 billion. The average trade deficit per year during the period was $3.43 billion.

Average imports per year from Korea are $6.96 billion, with 2011 imports totalling $9.1 billion, up by 14.1 per cent from 2010.

Average exports per year are $3.53 billion, with 2011 exports totalling $4.57 billion, up by 26.8 per cent from 2010.