Thursday, April 26, 2012
Viet Nam's Middle Class Lifts Food, Feed Demand
ANALYSIS - The growth in China has garnered a lot of attention lately, but China's neighbour - Viet Nam - is another emerging market that is building our global middle class and increasing grain demand, writes Sarah Mikesell, senior editor.

By 2020, 600 million households, primarily in the developing world, are going to join in the global middle class, said Thomas Dorr, US Grains Council president and CEO, at the Commodity Classic in early March. These new markets, in terms of sheer size and dollar value, will exceed existing middle class markets in the US, Europe and Japan within the next decade.

Viet Nam Emerges in a New Way
Viet Nam is one of the emerging new markets. With a population of nearly 90 million, it is larger than any European country. Mr Dorr said it is an excellent example of a country that is 20 years behind China on the development curve at this point but it will not take the same 20 years for them to catch up because Viet Nam is learning from China by example.



Thomas Dorr, US Grains Council president and CEO, speaks to US farmers at the Commodity Classic in early March."The ability to communicate and inform people is speeding up Viet Nam's development process," he said. "It is going to be replicated throughout the world as these two emerging economies grow. It's also clearly defining significant new growth opportunities for US agriculture producers, as well as agribusinesses."

Viet Nam and other emerging markets will be unable, due to land, water and other resource constraints, to build out their food systems on a US-style commodity production system, he said.

While developing a strong middle class and a corresponding food demand, Viet Nam is going to meet that demand by creating new systems for production and marketing that are likely to be very different from the legacy systems that the US and developed countries have now.

Meat Consumption Drives Demand
Grain demand is being driven by meat consumption increases in Viet Nam. For the last five years, their domestic production has fallen short of domestic consumption and domestic feed consumption. Imports for US corn in 2011 dropped from 1.7 million tons down to one million tons. Mr Dorr said the drop was due to Viet Nam replacing US imports with feed imports from Argentina.

Looking at corn-for-feed demand projections through 2015, Viet Nam is growing at about a 30 per cent rate, and the corn growth from local production is growing at about a 30 per cent rate, Mr Dorr said. However, local production is starting from a much smaller base, which means there will be a continuous increase in demand for corn.

As for total US agricultural product exports to Viet Nam, in 2006 it equalled $215 million and in five years that has grown to $1.3 billion, suggesting that the investments of time, effort and capacity and working on the political policy side of the programs was quite effective, Mr Dorr said.



Dried Distiller Grains (DDGs)
(Photo courtesy of the US Grains Council)Feed Opportunity
Overall, Viet Nam is the fastest growth market for US feedstuffs, with the majority being soybean meal. Today, Viet Nam is the eighth largest market for US feedstuffs. They are the fastest growing market in the ASEAN community - that excludes Japan, Korea and Taiwan.

Viet Nam is the number one market for US Dried Distiller Grains (DDGs) in Southeast Asia, and it's the fourth largest in the world behind China, Mexico and Canada. Last year, Viet Nam imported close to a half million tons of DDGs.

Mr Dorr said the USGC is seeing a mix of intensive, large-scale commercial livestock operations moving into countries like China and Viet Nam. These operations provide a huge opportunity for feed products.

Currently, a dairy operation is being built in Viet Nam that will result in 130,000 cows under one management structure. There are 10,000 cows currently in production, and the project is being implemented by a team of 20 Israeli animal scientists and technologists.

"They will build a very sophisticated dairy processing facility, and I can assure you that this particular project is designed to provide more than just dairy products for Viet Nam," he said.

Building a Standardized System
The US Grains Council (USGC) became active in Viet Nam immediately after the US and Viet Nam normalized relations. Mr Dorr said the USGC immediately began to develop policy recommendations for Viet Nam's Ministry of Agriculture, creating their first five-year development plan.

"Building on those opportunities and policy changes and the ability of the USGC and its partners to develop credibility, we were able to access the government," he said. "We have been effective collaboratively to build up capacity in Viet Nam's meat, milk and poultry industries to ensure consumers can have a higher level of confidence and a larger level of variety in their domestic food systems."

The USGC, the United Soybean Export Council and the US Meat Export Federation have developed a relationship with the Ministry of Agriculture in Viet Nam. This relationship resulted in the teams assisting with writing the Viet Nam Animal Health Law, their plant laws and other laws relative to Viet Nam's food systems, as well as developing the regulatory implementation needed to make the laws effective.

"The team of US collaborators developed an international standardized system that was not inherently designed to detract from the development of trade," he said. "As a result, we now have a platform which all of our industries collectively can trade in a WTO-compliant, regulatory-compliant manner throughout Viet Nam, and it's been built on a well-defined scientific base. And that is going to facilitate growth in this economy."


Sarah Mikesell, Senior Editor

Thursday, April 26, 2012
Experts Challenge Sustainability of Food System
CANADA - A report released by the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) has criticised intensive livestock operations for their use of antibiotics, effect on the environment and rural communities, poor welfare and cost to the taxpayer.


What's On Your Plate? The Hidden Costs of Industrial Animal Agriculture exposes the destructive impacts of intensive livestock operations (ILOs) on our health, the environment, animal welfare and rural Canada, said WSPA.

"Intensive livestock operations or ILOs are producing drug resistant super bugs, destroying our planet's life support system and transforming the social fabric of our rural communities" says Melissa Matlow, WSPA Campaigns Manager, Humane and Sustainable Agriculture.

"Food-borne illnesses are costing our healthcare system between $12 and $14 billion annually," says report contributor Dr Eva Pip. "Animal agriculture uses more land and water than any other human activity."

"The running of ILOs also involves significant energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions", notes Dr Tony Weis.

Darrin Qualman says that ILOs are costing Canadian taxpayers directly.

"Government of Canada data shows that hog ILOs couldn't exist without huge tax-funded subsidies". Farm animals are paying a high price too. They suffer painful mutilations, bred to grow faster and crammed into small cages, all to make ILOs possible. "There is solid evidence that our industrial farming practices are causing acute suffering for animals," concludes Dr Ian Duncan.

Key findings of the WSPA report include:

The huge amounts of manure from ILOs contain antibiotic residues, heavy metals and pathogens (like E. coli). When applied on to fields or illegally dumped in ditches, these toxins end up in our drinking water and on crops. It also flows into lakes and rivers, killing fish.


Non-therapeutic use of antibiotics is causing drug resistant super bugs to be found on ILOs in manure and in groundwater near fields — risking the effectiveness of live-saving medicines.


ILOs are causing species loss, soil erosion and lake and river pollution.


Tax-payers are subsidising the largest industrial farms. Hog farms with annual revenues over $1million collected 72 per cent of the subsidies in 2009. Since 1996, Canadians have given nearly $4 billion to subsidise the hog industry.


ILOs have caused the hollowing out of rural communities as increasing debt, diminished quality of life and soaring unemployment mean businesses, people and infrastructure are abandoning these areas.


Painful mutilations done to farm animals (beak severing, hot branding, teeth breaking, etc) without anesthetic would be illegal if performed on a cat or dog and are purely surgical solution to human-made problems.
WSPA is calling for changes by all levels of government to policies and practices that will safe-guard the health of Canadians, protect our environment, revitalise rural communities and improve the lives of farm animal across the country, said a press release.

One of the recommendations of the report is to improve labelling requirementsm so that Canadian producers could identify production methods such as free-range, local and antibiotic free meat, milk and eggs.

WSPA also recommends that practices such as de-beaking and castration be done with anaesthetic or be phased out. It supports the Canadian Medical Association’s call to require veterinary prescriptions for all agriculture antibiotic use

The group has said it will work with industry and farmers to end the worst confinement systems, which they believe are battery cages, sow stall and veal crates.

Finally, WSPA believes that industrial livestock operations should be regulated like other major polluting industries.

Thursday, April 26, 2012
Weekly Roberts Market Report
US - Lower soybean exports from South America and rumors that Brazil will halt exports this week were supportive, writes Michael T. Roberts.

Michael T. Roberts
Extension Agriculture Economist,
Dairy and Commodity Marketing,
NC State University

LEAN HOGS on the CME finished up on Monday. MAY’12LH futures closed at $88.525/cwt; up $0.575/cwt but $0.025/cwt lower than this time last week. AUG’12LH futures finished $0.450/cwt higher at $88.950/cwt but $1.200/cwt lower than last report. Futures gained on an increase in wholesale prices and a somewhat supportive supply report. Slowing export growth in China is giving indications that pork prices will continue to languish. Spring grilling is expected to pick up soon. Last Friday, USDA’s Cold Storage report put freezer stocks down slightly but 7 per cent more than this time last year. USDA put the pork carcass cutout at $77.41/cwt, off $0.68/cwt and $0.43/cwt lower than a week ago. Monday, April 23 USDA placed hogs processing at 413,000 head vs. 413,000 last week and 273,000 a year ago. Cash hogs were steady-to-unchanged with some locations reporting weaker prices. Packer buying remains cautious due to poor packer margins. According to HedgersEdge.com, the average packer margin was raised $2.05/hd to a negative $11.25/head based on the average buy of $59.99/cwt vs. the breakeven of $55.91/cwt. The latest CME lean hog index was estimated at 79.01; down 0.56; and 3.63 under last report.

 

This table shows the maximum price a producer could pay for feeder cattle and still break even, assuming the costs and conversion/performance factors listed above. Producers should remain aware that calculations are based on averages. Courtesy DTN.
CORN futures on the Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT) closed up on Monday. The JULY’12 contract closed at $6.224/bu; up 10.0¢/bu and 9.25¢/bu higher than last Monday’s close. The DEC’12 contract closed at $5.454/bu; up 8.75¢/bu and 19.025¢/bu higher than last report. Exports, speculative buying new crop corn, and continued commercial buying of old crop contracts were supportive. Funds decreased net-bull positions to 210,431 lot down 28,838 contracts. Corn basis was steady-to-firm with end users raising bids trying to keep grain flowing. Farmer selling is slow due to early corn crop plantings. Exports were bullish with USDA putting corn-inspected-for-export at 29.386 mi bu vs. estimates for 28-34 mi bu. Weekly exports needed 3this week 3.8 mi bu to stay on pace with USDA export demand expectations. See chart.


SOYBEAN futures on the Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT) closed down on Monday. The MAY’12 contract closed at $14.372/bu; down 9.5¢/bu but 17.25¢/bu higher than last report. NOV’12 futures closed at $13.414/bu; down 14.5¢/bu and 8.75¢/bu lower than a week ago. Lower exports from South America and rumors that Brazil will halt exports this week were supportive. US exports were weak with USDA announcing soybeans-inspected-for-export at 12.005 mi bu vs. estimates for 19-25 mi bu. Weekly inspections needed to be 11.5 mi bu to stay on pace with USDA’s 1.29 bi bu demand projection. See chart.


WHEAT futures in Chicago (CBOT) closed up on Monday. The MAY’12 contract closed at $6.250/bu; up 9.25¢/bu and 8.75¢/bu higher than this time last Monday. JULY’12 wheat futures finished at $6.324/bu; up 9.25¢/bu and 11.25¢/bu higher than a week ago. Exports, risk of frost damage to US crops and increasing Chinese demand for US wheat were supportive. Compared to this time last year US exports to China for the first quarter of 2012 exports increased more than fifty times over. USDA put wheat-inspected-for-export at 24.391 mi bu vs. estimates for 16-22 mi bu. The weekly export pace needed to stay on pace with USDA’s 1.0 bi bu demand projection is 18.5 mi bu.

Thursday, April 26, 2012
Japan Rearrests Two over Tax Evasion in Pork Tariffs
JAPAN - The Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office rearrested two men running meat import businesses on charges of evading 13.6 billion yen in tariffs on pork by fraudulently declaring import prices.


According to Daily Yomiuri Online, arrested for alleged violation of the Customs Law were Kenji Shibata, 61, and Kunihiro Dotani, 69.

Mr Shibata and Mr Dotani allegedly conspired to pad prices for frozen pork they imported from such countries as the United States and Canada in 2010 and declared the inflated import prices to Japanese customs authorities, dodging tariffs totaling 13.63 billion yen as a result.

Japanese companies that import pork at lower prices than the government-set standard of 546 yen per kilogram are required to pay countervailing tariffs equivalent to the price differences.

The amount of tariffs dodged by Shibata and Dotani is seen to be the largest among all cases involving fraudulent price declarations for pork imports, informed sources said.

Thursday, April 26, 2012
Meat from New Pig Breeds: Tender and Delicious
DENMARK - New pig breeds provide meat that is tender and tasty. Production of high-quality meat from alternative pig breeds may be fertile ground for new Danish niche products.

Crossings between the Hungarian curly-haired hog and traditional Danish breeds has resulted in exciting, new types of meat. [Photo: Danish Pig Production]What happens when you cross a Hungarian pig with a sheepskin coat with one of the traditional Danish pig breeds? Or, if you mate a normal Danish pig with the dark-skinned Iberian pig? This is the question scientists from Aarhus University decided to investigate in cooperation with the University of Copenhagen and the Danish Meat Research Institute at the Danish Technological Institute.

The aim was to identify differences in flavour, tenderness, texture, water distribution, fatty acid composition and metabolic products. The results from the research will be presented at a workshop on 31 May at the Aarhus University’s Research Centre Aarslev on Funen.

For years, Denmark has been able to deliver pork of a uniform and high quality, but there is a growing trend among consumers that they would like unique niche products. The introduction of new, alternative pig breeds can open the door for the development of such new gourmet meat products. The scientists therefore examined meat from crosses of boars of the Iberian breed and the Hungarian curly-haired hog (Mangalitza) and sows of the Duroc and Landrace/Yorkshire crosses produced under Danish conditions.

Flavour and chemistry studied
Meat and meat products from the various crosses were compared by the scientists in a number of detailed chemical and physical analyses. The flavour of the products was assessed by sensory analysis. It turned out that the meat from the crossings with the alternative breeds was tender and delicious and had a good texture.

The chemical characterization of the meat showed that offspring of pigs crossed with the Iberian breedhad a slightly different profile of metabolic products than traditional Danish pigs. This could indicate that the exotic crosses are less sensitive to stress, which may explain the improved texture of meat from these pigs.

The chemical and flavour analyses showed that the different pig breeds did not have significant differences in their composition of flavour substances.

During the project, the scientists also examined the effect of high-pressure processing of the meat. High-pressure treatment of meat at 5000 to 6000 bar effectively kills bacteria and safe meat products with a longer shelf life can be produced without heat treatment. Pressure treatment also affects the meat texture and water-binding capacity, which makes it possible to produce meat products with less salt and fewer additives. The longer shelf life means that freezing and consequent loss of quality can be avoided.

The project was supported by the Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Fisheries, Svineafgiftsfonden and Promilleafgiftsfonden.

Wednesday, April 25, 2012
US Confirms BSE Case: Beef Products Still Safe
US - The US's fourth case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) has been detected in a dairy cow in California, reports USDA Chief Veterinary Officer John Clifford.
 

"As part of our targeted surveillance system, the US Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has confirmed the nation's fourth case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) in a dairy cow from central California.

"The carcase of the animal is being held under State authority at a rendering facility in California and will be destroyed. It was never presented for slaughter for human consumption, so at no time presented a risk to the food supply or human health. Additionally, milk does not transmit BSE.

"The United States has had longstanding interlocking safeguards to protect human and animal health against BSE. For public health, these measures include the USDA ban on specified risk materials, or SRMs, from the food supply. SRMs are parts of the animal that are most likely to contain the BSE agent if it is present in an animal. USDA also bans all nonambulatory (sometimes called "downer") cattle from entering the human food chain. For animal health, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) ban on ruminant material in cattle feed prevents the spread of the disease in the cattle herd.

"Evidence shows that our systems and safeguards to prevent BSE are working, as are similar actions taken by countries around the world. In 2011, there were only 29 worldwide cases of BSE, a dramatic decline and 99 per cent reduction since the peak in 1992 of 37,311 cases. This is directly attributable to the impact and effectiveness of feed bans as a primary control measure for the disease.

"Samples from the animal in question were tested at USDA's National Veterinary Services Laboratories in Ames, Iowa. Confirmatory results using immunohistochemistry and western blot tests confirmed the animal was positive for atypical BSE, a very rare form of the disease not generally associated with an animal consuming infected feed.

"We are sharing our laboratory results with international animal health reference laboratories in Canada and England, which have official World Animal Health (OIE) reference labs. These labs have extensive experience diagnosing atypical BSE and will review our confirmation of this form of the disease. In addition, we will be conducting a comprehensive epidemiological investigation in conjunction with California animal and public health officials and the FDA.

"BSE is a progressive neurological disease among cattle that is always fatal. It belongs to a family of diseases known as transmissible spongiform encephalopathies. Affected animals may display nervousness or aggression, abnormal posture, difficulty in coordination and rising, decreased milk production, or loss of body weight despite continued appetite.

"This detection in no way affects the United States' BSE status as determined by the OIE. The United States has in place all of the elements of a system that OIE has determined ensures that beef and beef products are safe for human consumption: a mammalian feed ban, removal of specified risk materials, and vigorous surveillance. Consequently, this detection should not affect US trade.

"USDA remains confident in the health of the national herd and the safety of beef and dairy products. As the epidemiological investigation progresses, USDA will continue to communicate findings in a timely and transparent manner."

“American beef and dairy products are safe. The safeguards our government has in place to detect any incidence of this disease are clearly working. The report of

Friday, April 20, 2012
Chinese Invest in New Zealand Dairy Farms, Fonterra Invests in China
NEW ZEALAND - This week New Zealand has given the thumbs up for Chinese investors to purchase the former CraFarms.
 


The topic has been one of controversy in New Zealand, with concerns over large scale overseas investment particularly in farmland.

Today, after nearly a year of discussions, the New Zealand government has approved a new recommendation from the Overseas Investment Office (OIO) to grant consent to Shanghai Pengxin to acquire the 16 Crafar farms, in the Central and North Island.

Shanghai Pengxin will run the 16 farms (covering 7,892 hectares), through Milk New Zealand Holding Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Pengxin.

New Zealand Land Information Minister Maurice Williamson and Associate Finance Minister Jonathan Coleman have said that the consent comes with stringent conditions.

“Twenty seven conditions have been imposed to ensure Milk New Zealand’s investment delivers substantial and identifiable benefits to New Zealand,” Dr Coleman said.

The conditions require Milk New Zealand to invest $16 million into the farms and to protect and enhance heritage sites.

“The combined effect of the benefits being delivered to New Zealand as a result of this transaction is substantial.”

Back in February, the government had to reconsider its approval of the sale after the High Court said that there was no real economic benefit from the sale to New Zealand.

Overseas investments of land, involving more than five hectares of farmland, must be approved by the OIO.

It is reported that Shanghai Pengxin put in a bid of NZ$210 million for the farms, whilst a New Zealand bidding group, Crafar Farms Purchase Group bidded NZ$171.5.

The decision is likely to be challenged by the Crafar Farms Purchase Group.

"It's a bad day for New Zealand," said Sir Michael Fay, a member of the bidding group. "Three out of every four New Zealanders are against selling these farms into foreign ownership."

Bruce Wills, Federated Farmers President said that the ongoing purchases of farmland from foreign investors is worrying New Zealanders.

"Many fear they will become tenants in their own land."

However, he said there were larger concerns, including the growth on forestry and lifestyle blocks.

“Given there’s 1.6 million hectares of dairy farms, overseas investors over that time bought less than one per cent. Even with a spike in the first quarter of 2012, less than 1.3 per cent of dairy land was consented to go into overseas hands.

“We are also missing the bigger picture by focusing on the former CraFarms farms. Landcare Research shows 873,000 hectares of farmland are now in less productive lifestyle blocks. That’s equivalent to 110 Crafar farms being taken up by our expanding cities.

“This is the big picture we should be looking at in this debate,” Mr Wills concluded.

Had the government not approved the deal, there are concerns about what affect it may have had on NZ-Chinese relations. China is currently New Zealand's second largest exporting nation and New Zealand seems keen to invest there.

Last week, Fonterra (a New Zealand owned co-operative) announced plans to develop two new large-scale dairy farms in the Hebei province. With two additional units, Fonterra has committed investment to five farms in the Hebei Province, in the north east of China, with two currently operational.

Combined, the five farms will have a herd size of around 15,000 milking cows producing 150 million litres a year.

Chief Executive Theo Spierings said the success of Fonterra's farming operations in China, and their future growth would not be possible without the support of local Government.


Charlotte Johnston, Editor

Monday, April 23, 2012
PIC Sets New Record with San Miguel Foods, Inc.
PHILIPPINES - PIC Philippines has flown in 1,317 GGP and GP breeders from Canada to stock the first phase of the newly constructed 5,000-sow unit of San Miguel Foods, Inc. (SMFI) in Quezon province.
 



Chartered B747 with PIC GGP and GP breeders onboard enroute from Chicago to Manila.



Unloading of 27 crates at the Manila airport cargo terminal.



PIC GGP breeder happy to arrive in the Philippines.



Refilling of drinkers and preparation of animals for land trip upon arrival.



Stopover for checking of animals and refilling of drinkers halfway to Tagkawayan, QuezonSetting a new record for the largest single airlift of breeding stock into the country, the Boeing 747 charter landed in Manila on 22 February. This is the first of two full plane loads of the latest high health PIC genetics scheduled for delivery to SMFI this year.

Sourced from PIC’s genetic nucleus in Saskatchewan, Canada, the animals went through rigid quarantine and health control procedures that prepared them for the 7,000-mile journey. Upon arrival at Manila, 14 trucks queued up to receive the crates by forklift, with the PIC and SMFI teams refilling the drinkers and feeding ice cubes into the crates. 13 of the trucks then headed off to SMFI’s farm in Tagkawayan, Quezon, while one truck took 50 breeders destined for Cecilia Stock Farms, a PIC nucleus unit, to an air cargo charter for a flight to Davao in the southern island of Minadanao.

Dr Gizelle Guzman, PIC Quality Assurance and Genetic Dissemination Manager, explains, “Permits have been secured months before, and strict bio-security measures were taken to ensure that the planes, the trucks, the people involved, and the receiving farms will not pose any risk to the health of the animals. We had to make sure that the PIC genetics were in optimum condition for them to achieve their maximum potential.”

The newly imported stocks have undergone one month of acclimatization, and blood collections have been processed for serological testing. The prescribed one-month quarantine was also recently lifted by the Bureau of Animal Industry’s provincial vets. Further, these animals will be part of the global network of millions of PIC genetics recorded on PICtraq™, the industry’s largest genetic database where PIC stores performance information 24 hours a day from nucleus and multiplier farms on every continent. PICtraq™ links the genomic, performance and pedigree information of all ancestors and relatives, including the global movement of genetics.

The second Boeing 747 of PIC genetics will complete the stocking of the first phase of the new SMFI unit and play a major role in driving SMFI’s long term expansion plans. These importations strengthen both companies’ partnership and commitment to total farm-to-fork quality, and highlight their leadership positions in the pork industry since the first importation in 1994. SMFI, a subsidiary of San Miguel Purefoods, Co. is the largest pork producer and quality meat retailer in the Philippines with its renowned Monterey Meatshop brand while PIC, a subsidiary of UK-listed Genus PLC, is the world’s leading swine genetics supplier serving producers in 30 countries for 50 years.

Monday, April 23, 2012

DA Orders Inspection of Markets for Smuggled Meat

PHILIPPINES - After receiving reports that pork and poultry smuggling has affected local suppliers, Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala has ordered a tighter inspection of meat sold in markets.


According to a report of radio dzBB's Allan Gatus on Monday, Mr Alcala ordered the National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS) to check markets for smuggled meat.

According to GMA News, the report said Mr Alcala will meet with hog and chicken raisers to find solutions against meat smuggling.
 
They will also discuss the possibility of exporting local meat to the Middle East, Japan, Malaysia, and South Korea.
 
Last week, agriculture and Customs officials assured hog and poultry growers that they are working to address their concerns about meat smuggling.
 
DA Assistant Secretary Salvador Salacup said growers complained about technical smuggling or the wrong declaration of prime cuts by unscrupulous parties to avoid paying higher tariffs.
 
Earlier reports said hog raisers were threatening to go on a “pork holiday” to protest against the technical smuggling of pork.
 
"Rest assured the government, particularly the DA and Department of Finance's Bureau of Customs, we're working out the mechanism to hit on that major issue of technical smuggling," Mr Salacup said in an interview over dzBB radio on Friday last week.

Monday, April 23, 2012
Olympic Athletes Could Get Branded as Cheats
CHINA - An official from the General Administration of Sport of China (GASC) denied reports that athletes were banned in January from eating untested pork, beef and lamb in an attempt to avoid doping scandals in the run-up to the London Olympics.


Still, extreme caution is in order.

"The administration has never banned athletes from eating meat. It just reminded them to be on alert," said Chen Zhiyu, head of the general office of GASC's science and education department.

Chinese media reported earlier this month that Olympic champion hurdler Liu Xiang hasn't eaten pork for years due to fears he could accidentally consume clenbuterol - known in China as "lean meat powder" - the banned performance-enhancing substance that led to Olympic judo champion Tong Wen's two-year suspension in 2010.

"I specifically checked with the 110m hurdles team's leader, Yang Jimin," Chen said. "He felt pretty angry (when he heard the report). He emphasized Liu has never stopped eating pork."

With the Games approaching though, athletes are being kept within the system.

The athletes assembled at the national training center in Beijing are not allowed to have meals in restaurants outside the base.

"The food is totally reliable here at the base," said Ye Zhennan, manager of the national gymnastics team, during a media session last Friday. "But no one knows whether it is safe or not in other places. So we don't allow them to eat out.

"We can't afford to take any risks at the crucial moment now. All our athletes have to eat only in the center's canteen, even when they have a day off."

Mr Zhennan's concern comes as a handful of star athletes claim to have failed drug tests due to dinning out.

Earlier this year, three-time Tour de France champion Alberto Contador from Spain was banned two years from cycling and stripped of his 2010 title after testing positive for clenbuterol, claiming he unwittingly ate contaminated beef.

There were similar stories from Tong, female former world No 1 shuttler Zhou Mi and budding German table-tennis star Dimitrij Ovtcharov.

The World Anti-Doping Agency issued a warning last November to athletes traveling to China and Mexico, urging them to exercise extreme caution when eating meat.

To guarantee a drug-free environments leading up to London, experts from the national anti-doping center closely examined every link of the catering service, routinely tested food ingredients from their sources and provided education to athletes.

The center has started to conducts doping tests more frequently, examining more than 10,000 samples annually, according to deputy director Zhao Jian.

Still, the athletes' own vigilance is key, Mr Zhennan said.

"The food security standard for athletes is much higher than the one that applies to ordinary people," Ye said. "Players have to make it a priority, just like preventing injuries in their daily training."

he The athletes don't seem to mind eating all their meals in the cafeteria.

"It actually doesn't bother us at all," said Guo Ailun, a guard on the men's national basketball team, which is practicing at the center. "I didn't hear of any meat ban. We still have all kinds of meat dishes here on the menu. Beef and pork steaks, they are safe and yummy."

Mr Ailun said the players are required to consult with the team doctor if they ingest any new food, medicine or other nutrition.

If there's a reason athletes must eat out, the team will ask for a note that lists the exact date, restaurant and dish, just in case a test is later needed.

"This is a way to be able to defend yourself and appeal your innocence in case you unexpectedly fail a test," said Zhang Xiong, manager of the men's basketball team.

"It can at least prove that it happened because of food, not drugs."

Monday, April 23, 2012
Global Pork Production Expanding
US - World pork production is expanding. USDA's Foreign Agriculture Service is predicting that this year's world pork production will be up 2.7 per cent from 2011, writes Ron Plain.
 
Ron Plain
Several of our key foreign markets are showing growth in their hog numbers. China, the third largest buyer of US pork last year, is expected to increase its pork production by 4.0 per cent this year. Pork production in South Korea, last year's number five foreign customer, is expected to be up 17 per cent. Increased foreign production could hurt US pork exports. Last year we exported a record 22.8 per cent of our pork production. Given the weak US economy, strong exports are crucial to hog prices.

Calculated domestic pork demand during February was up 0.6 per cent compared to a year earlier. Export demand for US pork was up 1.6 per cent in February. Packer demand for hogs was 1.6 per cent higher this February than last.

Retail pork prices in March averaged $3.49 per pound, down half of a penny from February, but up 13.3 cents from March 2011.

The average live price for 51-52 per cent lean hogs in March was $61.86/cwt, down $2.08 from February and 77 cents lower than in March 2011.

Hog prices ended this week mostly steady with the previous Friday. The national average negotiated carcass price for direct delivered hogs on the morning report today was $79.39/cwt, down 28 cents from last Friday. The eastern corn belt averaged $79.23/cwt this morning. The western corn belt averaged $80.70/cwt. Iowa-Minnesota had an average price of $80.66 on the morning report. Peoria topped at $55 and Zumbrota a top of $54/cwt today. The top for interior Missouri live hogs Friday was $58/cwt, down $1.25 from the previous Friday.

The pork cutout value was lower this week. USDA's Thursday afternoon calculated cutout value was $77.46/cwt, down $1.36 from the previous Thursday. Hams were higher this week. Bellies, butts and loins were lower. Packer margins remain tight. The national average hog carcass price this morning is 2.5 per cent above the pork cutout value.

Hog slaughter totaled 2.084 million head this week, up 2.0 per cent from the week before and up 1.2 per cent compared to the same week last year. Barrow and gilt carcass weights for the week ending April 7 averaged 206 pounds, unchanged from the week before and up one pound from a year ago. The average barrow and gilt live weight in Iowa-Minnesota last week was 276.4 pounds, up 0.3 pounds from a week earlier, up 4.2 pounds from a year ago, and above a year earlier for the 21st consecutive week.

Friday's close for the May lean hog futures contract was $87.50/cwt, down $2.62 from the previous Friday. The June lean hog futures contract settled at $87.40/cwt, down $2.82 for the week. July hogs ended the week at $87.95 and August settled at $88.50/cwt.

Monday, April 23, 2012
Overview of This Week’s Pig Industry News
ANALYSIS – The EU directive partially banning sow stalls from January 2013 has much to commend it but the impacts on the pig meat market may have been overlooked or underestimated, writes Jackie Linden. According to a new report, pig production in the EU could to fall by between five and 10 per cent as ‘significant numbers’ of producers quit the industry and one of the scenarios presented indicates a complete re–alignment of the industry across the Community. USDA now forecasts global pork production for 2012 to be around 104 million tonnes.

EU regulations banning battery cages for laying hens and sow stalls have much to commend them but the impacts on the market may have been overlooked or underestimated.

Just three months after the battery cage ban, EU egg production is reported to be down by between 10 and 15 per cent and there has been much disruption in the market, including in some unexpected areas. A partial ban on sow stalls is due to come into force in January 2013 so what can we expect for the pig sector?

In a report published in the last week entitled Market Impact of EU Regulations on Group Housing of Sows, it is stated that fewer than half EU Member States are expected to be fully compliant with the EU Directive, according to the British Pig Executive (BPEX), part of the AHDB.

This is expected to result in market disruptions, says the report. Pig production in the EU could to fall by between five and 10 per cent as ‘significant numbers’ of producers quit the industry because they will be unable or unwilling to comply with the new sow stall ban. Pig meat processors and retailers are expected to face substantial price increases.

The European Commission has made it clear that it expects the new rules to be rigorously enforced and will initiate infraction proceedings against Member States which are not fully compliant, just as for the egg industry.

AHDB Senior Analyst, Stephen Howarth, said: “Historically, even small changes in pig production have led to significant shifts in price. With production likely to fall by five per cent or more, prices could be at least 10 per cent higher, possibly more.”

BPEX Chairman, Stewart Houston, said: “It is imperative for retailers and processors to ensure contract arrangements that guarantee the supply of pig meat under terms that allow sensible business decisions to be made and for everyone in the supply chain to work towards a sustainable, profitable sector.”

The report envisages three possible scenarios.

The most likely scenario, suggest the authors, is that total EU pig meat production in 2013 would be around five per cent lower than in 2011.

A second scenario, which would result if enforcement of the new rules were to be rigorous, would lead to a 10 per cent cut in pig meat output in 2013 compared to 2011.

The third scenario presented considers the possibility that the regulations would be a catalyst for a realignment of production in the form of integration across much of the EU, with breeders in North West Europe supplying piglets to finishers in Eastern and Southern Europe. This situation would have significant impacts on the environment, welfare and the processing sector but it may reduce production costs, suggests the report.

Spain’s livestock industries are under attack from all directions, it seems. Not only is the present drought hitting domestic feed crops yields, as previously reported but now, the country's farmers are threatened by a possible ban on imports of soy and other products from Argentina. The ban is being considered in retaliation for a political wrangle between the two countries over the ownership of an oil company.

Colombia's farmers are concerned about the free trade agreement (FTA) with the US, which begins on 15 May 2012. The agreement will eliminate most tariffs immediately and phase out the remaining tariffs over periods of up to 19 years. Pork is among the US farm products that will receive immediate improved market access in Colombia.

This treaty is a double–edged sword for Colombia. The livestock sector generally wants access to cheap corn and soybeans to feed their animals, since they import large quantities of these products from the US, while the poor state of the country's roads may be put into the spotlight.

Global pork production for 2012 is expected to be around 104 million tonnes, according to a new report from USDA. China, the EU, and the United States will account for most of the forecast growth but higher output is also predicted from Russia and Mexico.

Outbreaks of swine fever – both classical and African variations – have been reported in Russia during the last week.


Jackie Linden, Senior Editor

How to Choose a Culture

By Mary Jane Toth


 
Probably the most often asked question from new cheese makers is how to choose a culture. This can be a daunting task, but made much simpler when you have a basic understanding of how and why the cultures work. I hope you find the following information useful in choosing which cultures you need to be successful in your home cheese making endeavors.
 
It's important to understand why you need a culture. The purpose of the culture is to raise the acidity of the milk, which helps the rennet to set the cheese as well as aiding in preserving and developing the flavor during the aging process.
 
Milk is a perfect medium for good and bad bacteria. The culture inoculates the milk with the good type of bacteria, which multiply by consuming the lactose (milk sugar) in the milk. The result raises the acidity and once the good bacteria have taken hold in the milk they help prevent the bad bacteria form gaining a foothold. It's like a war between the good and bad. The good win the war when they can quickly outnumber the bad.

Basic information
 
Cultures can be broken into two types: mesophilic and thermophilic. Choosing either a thermophilic or mesophilic will depend on the type of cheese that you are going to make.
 
Mesophilic is a non-heat loving culture and is used for making cheeses that are not heated to more than 102°F. This is the most common and is used to make 90% of the variety of cheeses. This would include soft cheese, chévre, blue cheese, feta, cottage cheese, farmers cheese, Colby, cheddar, Camembert, brie, cultured buttermilk, and sour cream, etc.

Thermophilic is a heat loving culture and is used to make cheeses that can be heated to 130 degrees. This is used in most Italian cheeses such as Parmesan, provolone, mozzarella and Swiss, Monterey jack, etc. Yogurt is also made using a thermophilic culture.
 
Many varieties of these two types are available with names such as flora dancia, lactoccus bulgarius etc. No matter what types of fancy names are specific to that culture it will still fall into one of the two types of culture. This simply means that they can have different strains of bacteria, which can produce slight differences in taste. I have used several with results pretty much the same and with no big noticeable difference in taste in the end product. No matter what it's called, mesophilic will always be a mesophilic and the same is true of the thermophilic.

Freeze dried DVI or reculturable:
Which type of culture should you use?

Another question asked often is choosing between making a mother culture and using a DVI culture. All cheese cultures will come as a freeze-dried packet. Keep them frozen for long-term storage.
 
DVI Culture:

DVI stands for "direct vat inoculant"; this is added directly to the milk, usually at a rate of 1/8 teaspoon for each gallon of milk. The freeze-dried packet can be kept in the freezer for several months. I have been using one from my freezer that is about five years old. Just make sure to keep it double bagged in good freezer bags. The advantage to the DVI culture is that it can be kept in the freezer for long periods of time. It's very handy for the average home cheese maker who is not making cheese on a daily basis. DVI cultures are definitely my preference. They are more convenient and produce more consistent results. Even large cheese making plants now use them.

Reculturable or Mother culture:
 
Must first be cultured in sterile milk before it can be used. This type of culture can be recultured by saving some from the previous batch to make the next batch. This can be kept going for a long time but the biggest drawback is that it will only keep in the refrigerator for about three days or it can be frozen in cubes for about a month. This means that you will need to be diligent about reculturing it so that the live bacteria are kept viable. It will not last forever. If not properly recultured on a regular basis it can produce inconsistent results.

Chevre Spreadable Cheese
 
Chives & Garlic
 
1 lb. soft goat cheese
2 teaspoons dried chives or 2 tablespoons fresh chives
 1 teaspoon kosher salt
½ teaspoon garlic powder
 Mix ingredients together. Shape into logs or balls. Refrigerate.
 French Onion
 1 lb. soft goat cheese
3 tablespoons dried minced onion
 1 teaspoon kosher salt
 
Reconstitute dried onion in warm water. Squeeze out excess water before measuring onions for this recipe. Mix ingredients together well and shape into logs or balls. Refrigerate.
 
Horseradish Cheddar Spread
 
8 oz. soft goat cheese
 2 pkgs. cheddar cheese powder
 1 teaspoon sugar
 4 teaspoons horseradish, squeeze out excess juice
 
Mix ingredients together. Store in a recycled margarine tub with a lid. Chill before serving. Makes a great party spread for crackers.
 
Quick Tip: The cheddar cheese powder used in this recipe comes from inexpensive boxed macaroni and cheese dinners. We use the cheese powder for seasoning cheese, and the macaroni is used in other dishes. Bulk food stores also carry a powdered cheddar cheese.
 

SA_LS320
San Angelo, TX    Tue Apr 17, 2012   USDA Market News

Producers Livestock Auction Co, San Angelo, Texas

Sheep and Goat Auction:
Close and Weekly:

Total Receipts:  3778    Last Week:  2606    Year Ago:  7885
Sheep Receipts:  2154    Last Week:  1319    Year Ago:  3892
Goat  Receipts:  1624    Last Week:  1287    Year Ago:  3993

  Compared to last week heavy slaughter lambs steady; light slaughter
lambs weak to 10.00 lower.  Slaughter ewes steady.  No comparison on
feeder lambs.  Nannies steady; kids firm.  Trading and demand moderate.
Supply included 30 percent slaughter lambs, 15 percent slaughter ewes,
10 percent feeder lambs, balance goats.  All slaughter lambs went to
non-traditional markets.  All sheep and goats sold per hundred weight
(CWT) unless otherwise specified.

SLAUGHTER LAMBS:
   Choice 2-3 shorn and wooled 100-165 lbs 128.00-147.00, few 156.00.

   Choice and Prime 1 40-60 lbs 206.00-228.00; 60-70 lbs 200.00-228.00;
70-80 lbs 192.00-204.00, few 210.00; 80-90 lbs 190.00-198.00; 90-105 lbs
160.00-175.00.
Choice 1 40-60 lbs 180.00-202.00; 70-80 lbs 168.00-188.00; 80-90 lbs
168.00-184.00.
Good 1 60-85 lbs 140.00-150.00.

SLAUGHTER EWES:
   Good 2-3 (fleshy) 78.00-80.00; Utility and Good 1-3 (medium flesh)
88.00-98.00, high-yielding 102.00-110.00, low-yielding 70.00-84.00;
Utility 1-2 (thin) 65.00-79.00; Cull and Utility 1-2 (very thin) 60.00-
68.00; Cull 1 (extremely thin) 50.00-56.00.

SLAUGHTER BUCKS:
   65.00-90.00, few 100.00-104.00.

FEEDER LAMBS:
   Medium and Large 1-2 60-70 lbs 196.00-198.00; 74 lbs 188.00; 80-85
lbs 181.00-186.00; 90-100 lbs 176.00-180.00.
   Medium and Large 2 51 lbs 190.00; 70-90 lbs 178.00-182.00; 90-95 lbs
166.00-172.00.

REPLACEMENT EWES:
   Medium and Large 1-2 mixed age hair ewes 100-125 lbs 114.00-134.00 cwt.


GOATS:  Estimated 45 percent of receipts:
All sold per hundred weight (CWT) unless otherwise specified.

SLAUGHTER CLASSES:
   KIDS:  Selection 1 38 lbs 210.00; 40-60 lbs 220.00-252.00; 60-80 lbs
212.00-248.00; 80-100 lbs 180.00-184.00.
Selection 1-2 30-40 lbs 180.00-190.00; 40-60 lbs 180.00-216.00; 60-80 lbs
185.00-210.00; 80-100 lbs 165.00-170.00.
Selection 2 25-40 lbs 160.00-170.00; 40-80 lbs 150.00-180.00.
   DOES/NANNIES:  Selection 1-2 80-130 lbs 102.00-116.00; 130-175 lbs
102.00-112.00; 185 lbs 86.00; thin 70-115 lbs 82.00-104.00.
   BUCKS/BILLIES:  Selection 1-2 70-100 lbs 126.00-152.00; 100-150 lbs
120.00-130.00, yearlings 132.00; 150-250 lbs 100.00-120.00.

REPLACEMENT CLASSES:
   DOES/NANNIES: Selection 1 70-105 lbs 142.00-148.00.
Selection 1-2 60-110 lbs 122.00-138.00.


Source:  USDA Market News Service, San Angelo, Texas

Friday, April 20, 2012

Mexico-US Poultry Talks Collapse

US & MEXICO - Behind the scenes negotiations to settle a poultry anti-dumping case filed by Mexican producers against their US counterparts have collapsed, leaving the trade dispute in the hands of Mexican government officials.


According to The Journal of Commerce, it is unclear what triggered the end of the bilateral talks.
 
Last year, Mexico’s largest poultry producers filed an anti-dumping complaint against US chicken leg quarters, alleging they were being dumped in Mexico at prices lower than they were sold in the US. A Mexican government agency in August made a preliminary finding in their favor and ruled US chicken meat should be subject to an import duty of 129.5 per cent. Although it had the power to do so, the Mexican government did not immediately apply the tariff.
 
Representatives of the US poultry industry spent months trying to negotiate an import quota level with its biggest customer that would allow it to avoid the expense of the trade litigation while retaining access to much of the market.
 
Such a quota does place a ceiling on future growth of US poultry sales in Mexico, but it would allow the trade to continue uninterrupted. In addition to the cost of putting on a legal defense in a trade case, the industry also stands to lose market share if a high duty is imposed.
 
“This system isn’t universally loved, but it is effective,” the industry representative said. “We have that system in place as part of the CAFTA (Central America Free Trade Agreement), and it has worked well.”
 
After the talks broke off, a bipartisan group of 16 senators wrote to US Trade Representative Ron Kirk, urging the US government to intercede and protect the US poultry industry.