CattleFax Previews 2019 Market

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CattleFax market specialists presenting at the 2019 Cattle Industry Convention say they expect markets to continue strong but see a leverage shift on the horizon. The popular annual CattleFax Outlook Seminar drew a capacity crowd Thursday as cattlemen and women gathered to hear expert market and weather analysis.

CattleFax analyst Kevin Good said he expects prices will remain strong, with demand and the economy expected to remain solid. He said price risk remains over the next few years in response to the last five years of expansion. The beef cowherd expansion cycle is believed to be within 1-2 years of being complete.

However, domestic demand remains robust and higher wages and job growth are supportive of prices. CattleFax projects the all-fresh retail beef price to average $5.73/lb., up $.06 from year ago levels, while the composite cutout will rise $4 to average $216/hundredweight (cwt.) during 2019.

Fed cattle prices are expected to be steady during 2019, averaging $117/cwt., with market resistance at the $130-level and downside risk to $100/cwt. at the low end of the trading range, according to Good. He said a larger supply of cattle outside of feedyards coupled with limited profitability in the feeding sector will hinder demand and pressure feeder cattle prices. CattleFax projects 750 lb. steer prices will range from $130-$160/cwt., with an average at $147/cwt. for the year ahead.

“The relatively strong calf market we saw in 2018 will be under pressure this year,” said Good. “However, values in the spring should have the potential to reach the mid-$180s. On the other hand, a larger calf crop and softer demand have the potential to erode prices to the $140-level next fall, so there is certainly more price risk in feeder cattle and calves than in the fed cattle markets in 2019.”

Feed and grain prices are expected to remain stable during the year ahead, with corn acreage increasing an expected 2 million acres to total 91 million acres and soybeans declining 2.2 million acres to 87 million and wheat gaining 1 million acres to total 49 million.

Interview with Kevin Good, VP of Industry Relations, CattleFax –
Kevin Good, CattleFax

2019 Cattle Industry Convention & NCBA Trade Show Photo Album

Official Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show virtual newsroom

Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show Underway

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The Big Easy is the place to be this week for nearly 8,000 cattle industry professionals who were ready to GEAUX for the official start of the 2019 Cattle Industry Convention & NCBA Trade Show Wednesday.

“Every year the Cattle Industry Convention & NCBA Trade Show hosts members from every segment of the beef industry,” said NCBA President Kevin Kester of California. “Not only is the event a great opportunity for attendees to network and learn about the newest technology and science to improve their operations, but it’s also when we set our policy priorities for the next year.”

Hall of Fame NFL quarterback Terry Bradshaw delivered the keynote address at the Opening General Session, which was followed immediately by the opening of a 6.5-acre trade show. Highlights this week include the D.C. public policy issues update, NCBA policy committee meetings, the “Mardi Gras Masquerade” hosted at Mardi Gras World, Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue at the closing general session on Friday, and the Cowboy Concert Series featuring music stars Big and Rich.

The Convention will wrap up Saturday morning with a meeting of the NCBA’s Board of Directors, where official public policy positions will be set for the coming year. In this interview, Kester talks about some of the big issues for the organization this year. Interview with Kevin Kester, President, NCBA

2019 Cattle Industry Convention & NCBA Trade Show Photo Album

Find photos and audio from the event in the official Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show virtual newsroom

Alltech Releases 2019 Global Feed Survey

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The 2019 Alltech Global Feed Survey estimates world feed production increased by three percent in the past year to 1.103 billion metric tons, with the top eight countries producing 55 percent of the world’s feed production. ​

The top eight countries are China, the U.S., Brazil, Russia, India, Mexico, Spain and Turkey. Together, they produce 55 percent of the world’s feed production and contain 59 percent of the world’s feed mills, and they can be viewed as an indicator of the trends in agriculture. Predominant growth came from the layer, broiler and dairy feed sectors.

“Alltech works together with feed mills, industry and government entities around the world to compile data and insights to provide an assessment of feed production each year,” said Dr. Mark Lyons, president and CEO of Alltech. “We are proud to present the eighth annual Alltech Global Feed Survey and share the results publicly to demonstrate the importance of the animal feed industry as we strive to provide for a planet of plenty.”

This eighth edition of the annual survey includes data from 144 countries and nearly 30,000 feed mills. To access more data and insights from the 2019 Alltech Global Feed Survey, including the results booklet, an interactive global map and a video presentation of the results by Dr. Mark Lyons, visit alltechfeedsurvey.com.

Download the audio of Dr. Lyons presentation here:
Alltech CEO Dr. Mark Lyons presents 2019 Global Feed Survey

Alltech is at the 2019 Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show this week in New Orleans and we will be catching up with them to find out what’s new.

Cattle Industry Jazzed to Meet in New Orleans

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#CattleCon19 is ready to Laissez Le Bons Temps Roulez (Let the Good Times Roll) in New Orleans this week at the 2019 Cattle Industry Convention & NCBA Trade Show!

The 2019 event will be one of the largest on record with over 9,000 cattlemen and women expected in the Crescent City for 3.5 days of education, fellowship, networking, business and plenty of fun. The convention is the largest gathering of cattle industry professionals in the country, and the NCBA Trade Show will feature more than 350 exhibitors on 7+ acres. The annual meetings of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, the Cattlemen’s Beef Board, American National CattleWomen, CattleFax and National Cattlemen’s Foundation will also be held at this event.

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue will speak at the Closing General Session on Friday at the New Orleans Convention Center. He will address the farm bill, trade and other issues affecting the state of American agriculture.

NCBA President and California cattleman Kevin Kester says the industry is honored to host Secretary Perdue at the Convention. “There are many issues facing those who make their livings in the cattle industry, so It’s great that Secretary Perdue will share his thoughts and his agency’s plans with us at the Convention,” Kester said. “We have more than 7,000 people already pre-registered for the event, and we should have a record turnout. Those in attendance at the Closing Session will benefit from hearing what we an industry can expect from government in the coming months and years.”

Keep up with all the action on the official 2019 Cattle Industry Convention virtual newsroom where all photos, audio and video content will be posted.

Animal Ag Bites 1/28

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  • The results of a new survey show that customers are confused about whether plant-based imitation dairy products are indeed dairy foods and whether they carry the same nutritional value. The research evaluated three plant-based foods that mimic dairy cheese to understand if the packaging and descriptions are confusing. The survey, conducted by Ravel, was commissioned by Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association, Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin and Edge Dairy Farmer Cooperative, based in Wisconsin.
  • Marin Western was recently named a Vita Plus dairy specialist based in central Michigan. Western will work closely with a team of nutritionists to provide farm-specific nutrition and management strategies.
  • The National FFA Officer Candidates will be attending the International Poultry Expo (IPE), part of the 2019 International Production & Processing Expo, as a result of the USPOULTRY Foundation’s ongoing initiative to further attract students to the poultry and egg industries. The students will receive an all-expense paid trip to IPE in Atlanta, Georgia, and this opportunity is made possible in part by an endowing Foundation gift from Tyson Foods.
  • Kemin Industries, a global ingredient manufacturer with a focus on improving the quality of life for more than half the world’s population, has appointed Haley Stomp, a 16-year company veteran, to lead its worldwide marketing as Senior Vice President, effective immediately.
  • Kent Nutrition Group launched their NutriVantage® Nutrition Optimizer® products for swine at the Iowa Pork Congress in Des Moines, Ia.
  • Vytelle™ announced Jared Knock has joined the team as national sales manager. In this role he will work alongside veterinarians, reproductive specialists and producers to grow Vytelle’s IVF business.
  • Vytelle™ announced the addition of Michael D. Bishop, Ph.D., as director of strategy. In this role he will be responsible for helping set the direction for Vytelle, growing partnerships globally and increasing market penetration.
  • A diverse, ad hoc coalition of more than 45 groups representing many sectors of the U.S. economy joined the National Pork Producers Council in calling for an end to U.S. tariffs on Canadian and Mexican aluminum and steel imports so that America can take advantage of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement.

Animal Ag Bites 1/21

carrie muehlingAgWired Animal, Animal Bites

        • In response to erroneous reports in the news and (mostly) on social media, the National Pork Producers Council is reminding pork producers and consumers that federal meat inspectors are working in meat packing plants despite the government shutdown. NPPC and other livestock groups a year ago urged Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue to deem as essential USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) inspectors. Also continuing to operate during the shutdown are USDA Market News Service staff who produce the twice-daily livestock mandatory price reports, which are the sole source of market information on sales to packers of cattle, hogs and lambs and on the subsequent sale of meat products.
        • The National Pork Producers Council said it cannot support a trade agreement between the United States and the European Union that does not include agriculture, after the European Commission issued draft negotiating mandates to EU member states that doesn’t include talks on agriculture.
        • The International Production & Processing Expo will be held Feb. 12–14, at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta. IPPE offers attendees access to the latest in protein and feed technology through exhibits and educational programing. TECHTalks are free, 20-minute technical presentations, offered each day at IPPE. See the schedule here.
        • Mike Gauss has been named president for Kent Nutrition Group (KNG) effective January 1, 2019. John Thorpe, previous president of KNG, has been promoted to president and chief operating officer for Kent Corporation, the parent company for KNG, Grain Processing Corporation, Kent Precision Foods Group and Kent Pet Group.
        • More than 50,000 cattle producers have been certified through the Beef Quality Assurance program’s new online learning system since it was first offered in February 2017.
        • Jarrod Blackburn recently joined the Vita Plus Loyal team as a dairy specialist. Based in central Wisconsin, Blackburn will provide customized feed and nutrition strategies as well as management expertise for every area of the dairy farm.
        • Sullivan Higdon & Sink’s work for Twist’d Q Seasonings & Rubs, Merck Animal Health, Bayer and Shatto Milk Company was recognized by the Best of NAMA (National Agri-Marketing Association) Awards, Region II, during an awards banquet in Kansas City.
        • Birko launches its Elite 360® Precision Application Technology at the International Production and Processing Expo in Atlanta.
        • Culver’s restaurant chain is covering the registration fees of the first 250 FFA members and advisors for FFA Day at the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association Trade Show on Friday, Feb. 1, in New Orleans, Louisiana. The FFA Day sponsorship is made possible through Culver’s Thank You Farmers® Project.
        • Cheese, dairy, milk and yogurt processing have long been an integral part of the PROCESS EXPO trade show and the 2019 event, taking place October 8-11, 2019 in Chicago’s McCormick Place.
        • Chad Zuleger has joined the Dairy Business Association’s policy team. Zuleger has worked in Wisconsin legislative offices, for private companies and with a trade association during 22 years of government affairs work.
        • Vytelle announced a partnership with global livestock reproductive services innovator Sexing Technologies® (ST) for the use of ST’s proprietary reverse semen sorting technology.
        • The top 10 teams of the Food Science and Technology Career Development Event have been invited to attend the International Poultry Expo, part of the 2019 International Production & Processing Expo, as a result of the USPOULTRY Foundation’s ongoing initiative to further attract students to the poultry and egg industry.
        • The Center for Consumer Freedom sent a letter to State’s Attorney Michael O. Twigg in Cumberland, Maryland, urging for a full and thorough investigation of the animal liberation group PETA for felony wiretapping based on a judge’s ruling in a federal court case. The letter can be read here.
        • The American Feed Industry Association is pleased to see the Donald Trump administration include agriculture in its trade negotiating objectives with the EU, but cautions against seeking these objectives in stages, rather than in a single negotiation.
        • The 2019 Stakeholders Summit will be May 8-9 in Kansas City. To view the agenda and register, visit AnimalAgAlliance.org/Summit. Early registration discounts are available through February 1.

ONE: The Alltech Ideas Conference Announces 2019 Speakers

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ONE: The Alltech Ideas Conference (ONE19) returns to Lexington, Kentucky May 19-21 this year with Bear Grylls and Chris Zook to anchor the event’s 35th annual exploration of transformative ideas.

Bear Grylls, one of the most recognized faces of survival and outdoor adventure, will take the ONE19 mainstage. Grylls starred in seven seasons of the Discovery Channel’s Emmy Award-nominated “Man vs. Wild” television series, which became one of the most watched shows on the planet. The BAFTA award-winning host trained in martial arts from a young age, and his survival skills were later perfected during his service in the 21 Special Air Service Regiment. When a free-fall parachuting accident left him with a broken back, Grylls’ grit and determination guided his long recovery. He went on to become one of the youngest people to reach the summit of Mount Everest.

Chris Zook is a best-selling author of books on leadership and business strategy and an advisory partner at the renowned consulting firm Bain & Company. Zook specializes in guiding companies to find new sources of profitable growth and renew themselves internally to become more adaptive and entrepreneurial. He was included by the Times of London in its biannual list of the “50 Most Influential Global Business Thinkers.” He was also named “one of the most interesting strategic thinkers working today” by “The Financial Times Guide to Strategy.”

Alltech’s flagship conference is attended annually by nearly 4,000 people from over 70 countries who gather to dream bigger and explore solutions to improve their businesses and the world around them. Additional ONE19 speakers and session topics will be announced shortly.

Learn more and register at one.alltech.com by Jan. 31 to save $300.

Farm Bureau Adopts Policies

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As the American Farm Bureau Federation’s 100th Annual Convention wrapped up yesterday in New Orleans, member delegates adopted policies on key topics such as farm bill implementation, cell-cultured food products, trade, rural broadband access and rural mental health programs.

“As our organization has done for the last 100 years, grassroots delegates from across the nation came together to express a unified voice on issues vital to the success of our farms, ranches and rural communities,” American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall said. “We continue to face a challenging farm economy and we stand ready to work with Congress and the Trump administration to address the issues important to our farm and ranch families.”

Delegates urged the administration and Congress to work together to end the government shutdown as soon as possible. Delegates voted to favor negotiations to resolve trade disputes, rather than the use of tariffs or withdrawal from agreements. They also voted to support the United States’ entry into the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership.

Regarding cell-based food, delegates adopted a comprehensive policy to support innovation in cell-based food products while ensuring a level playing field for traditional protein. The policy also calls for complete and accurate product labels to ensure that consumers have all the pertinent information they need.

Listen to Duvall’s closing remarks to the press – AFBF19 Pres Duvall closing press conference

Press releases, audio downloads, video, and photos from the entire convention can be found in the AFBF Newsroom.

2019 AFBF Annual Convention photo album

Animal Ag Alliance Debuts Sustainability Report

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The Animal Agriculture Alliance has released its “Sustainability Impact Report” focusing on animal agriculture in the United States.

The report covers nine industries: dairy, beef, veal, pork, chicken, turkey, egg, sheep and aquaculture. “Animal agriculture has made great strides in environmental stewardship, animal welfare and overall sustainability over the years,” said Kay Johnson Smith, Alliance president and CEO. “As new technology and research become available, the industry will continue to innovate and improve.”

Read the report.

President Trump Addresses 100th AFBF Convention

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For the second year in a row, President Donald J. Trump addressed the members of the American Farm Bureau Federation at its 100th annual convention Monday in New Orleans.

Despite being nearly an hour late, the president was greeted by thousands of farmers and ranchers who had been in place waiting to see him since early in the morning, and he did not disappoint. President Trump spent about half of the speech talking about the importance of border security and getting a wall, which is a very big issue for agriculture and especially for ranchers like Jim Chilton of Arizona who lives on the border and has smugglers coming into the country through his property. “Mr. President, we need a wall,” said Chilton when he was invited on stage by the president.

Trump hit on all the important agricultural issues of the day, from trade and the estate tax, to WOTUS and ethanol. “We are fighting for the American farmer and we are fighting for the American dream,” the president said as he wrapped up his one hour address. “The greatest harvest is yet to come. The future for America’s farmers is bigger, better, bolder and brighter than ever before.”

Listen here:
AFBF19 President Trump address

2019 AFBF Annual Convention photo album