Tuesday April 11 Ag News

Colostrum Is Important to Newborn Calves
Larry Howard, Extension Educator, Cuming County

With the spring calving season over half done in many areas, producers are reminded of the importance of the use of colostrum to the newborn calf.   Colostrum, or first milk produced by the mother cow after the birth of the calf, is high in nutrients and antibodies. A newborn calf lacks disease protection because the antibodies do not pass across the cow’s placenta to the circulatory system of the fetus. Antibodies in colostrum provide calves with their initial protection.

Newborn calves need about two quarts of colostrum within four hours of birth, ideally within 30 minutes, and about one gallon within 12 hours. Time is important because a newborn calf’s digestive tract allows antibodies to pass directly into the blood.  After 24 hours, the calf’s intestines can’t absorb antibodies intact which help protect against systemic invasion by pathogens.  Antibodies that are not absorbed are also important in the protection against intestinal disease.

Allowing the calf to suck their mother naturally is the most efficient method of feeding colostrum. However, sometimes that does not happen due to problems with the cow or calf. In those cases the calf will need to be fed colostrum. Acquire colostrum by milking the cow as soon as possible after calving or using colostrum that you have previously acquired. Acquired colostrum should be from healthy cows to minimize disease transmission. Cows that are in their third lactation or older generally provide higher-quality colostrum than do heifers. A yellow color and a thick, creamy consistency are good indications of quality.

Colostrum can be stored by freezing in containers. The containers can be easily thawed and mixed with warm water for feeding. Producers should not microwave or boil frozen colostrum, as this can destroy the antibodies.  An easy way to store colostrum is to use a 1 gallon Ziploc freezer bag. Fill it half full (2 qts.) and squeeze the air out before sealing. Lay them flat and you will have room to store several of them. Then when needed, take one out and put in sink of warm water. They will thaw and warm up very rapidly and they are already a pre-measured feeding.  It is also a good idea to date the bag when you store it.

Producers could also consider purchasing a commercially available colostrum replacer or supplement if they don’t have access to fresh colostrum. They should consult their veterinarian on the use of these replacers or supplements if they have questions. Due to the importance of colostrum to the newborn calf it is always a good idea to have some alternative sources of colostrum on hand during the calving season.



New Technologies Available for Cow-Calf Producers

Nearly 300 attendees packed a ballroom in Omaha to learn about some of the new technologies available for cow-calf producers. Over the course of two days, participants learned about calving under roof and heard from speakers discussing everything from design, economics, feeding and veterinary care to dry lot options. At the end of both days a panel of producers discussed the reasons they decided to put up a building and how they manage their cows under this type of setting. Drone footage and pictures of their barns gave attendees a better look at the layout of different barns and the panel was able to answer questions from the audience.

This is the second year an event like this has been held here in Nebraska, but this year AFAN, the Alliance for the Future of Agriculture in Nebraska, partnered with the Coalition to Support Iowa's Farmers (CSIF) as well as the Nebraska Cattlemen and Iowa Cattlemen to make this event a multi-state event. "Both AFAN and CSIF work hard to provide our farmers and ranchers with learning opportunities," stated Emily Skillett, Livestock Development Coordinator for AFAN, "These types of barns are a newer technology and with the decreasing availability of pasture land in eastern Nebraska and western Iowa, we wanted to make sure our farmers knew that there were some options out there for ways to expand their cow herd."

With new management styles, comes new considerations to take when it comes to herd health. Cow-calf producers, Chad and Amy Wilkerson of Linden, Iowa, stated that prevention is key when using the calving under-roof approach. The Wilkerson's answered questions at the symposium as two of the eleven producer panelists. They currently raise 160 cow-calf pairs in a hoop barn they filled for the first time in January of 2016. "In this setting you need a good nutritionist and a good vet," Chad said. "You've got to have those two people in your back pocket that you know are going to be there and understand what you're up against."

Dr. Sara Barber, Veterinary Medical Center, explains that controlling the under-roof environment starts with proper bedding management. Dr. Barber says pens should always be kept dry and that bedding can easily be evaluated with what she calls the "dry knee test". "Fall on your knees and if your knees get wet when you get up, you know you need more bedding."

According to Kelly Jones, co-manager of Cactus Feeders' cow-calf division, feed is a major cost in this production system and requires rations that can be modified to coincide with the reproductive stage of the herd. Jones suggests that too much bunk space is far better than too little, and that creep feeding areas featuring lowered bunks should be installed before calving begins. Other barn modifications may include incorporating maternity areas, working facilities and raising dirt levels around water tanks for calves. This kind of intensive management style may not fit every operation, so asking questions and reviewing research is always highly recommended.

To view the presentations and drone footage from the Midwest Cow-Calf Symposium and learn more about livestock development in Nebraska, visit our website at www.becomeafan.org.



Pender Livestock, Inc. Assessed $5,000 Civil Penalty
USDA-GIPSA Press Release

On March 13, 2017, Pender Livestock, Inc. (Pender), Pender, Neb., waived its right to a hearing and entered into a stipulation agreement with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA). Pender paid a penalty of $5,000 after GIPSA found it marked-up invoices, a deceptive trade practice.

GIPSA enforcement rules provide a mechanism to quickly resolve violations of the Packers and Stockyards (P&S) Act. GIPSA may offer alleged violators the option of waiving their right to a hearing and entering into a stipulation agreement to quickly resolve alleged violations.

The P&S Act is a fair trade practice and payment protection law that promotes fair and competitive marketing environments for the livestock, meat, and poultry industries.



APPLYING MANURE BEFORE SEEDING ALFALFA
Bruce Anderson, NE Extension Forage Specialist

               Where do you spread manure?  What crops benefit most from manure application?  One good choice is a field about to be seeded to alfalfa.

               Applying manure before seeding alfalfa may seem counter productive since alfalfa is not likely to benefit from any nitrogen in the manure.  But manure also is rich in phosphorus, potassium, sulfur, and many micronutrients that alfalfa needs in large quantities.

               Research studies show that applying as much as 12,000 gallons or 50 tons of dry manure per acre before planting alfalfa can boost alfalfa yield more than commercial fertilizers applied at the same nutrient levels.  And manure increases yield on both low and high fertility soils.  Sometimes higher fertility soils do not respond to commercial fertilizer.  Other factors like improved soil tilth, increased soil microbial activity, micronutrients, and early nitrogen availability may be the reason manure increases alfalfa yield so well.

               Do not heavily apply manure prior to alfalfa seeding if you also plant a companion crop like oats that you plan to harvest for grain.  It is likely to lodge and smother much alfalfa.  If you cut the companion crop early for hay, though, it will be alright.  Also be careful to avoid compacting the soil with heavy manure-application equipment.

               Use a soil test and a manure test to determine how much manure to apply.  Then mix manure well into the soil using tillage, making sure to prepare a firm seedbed so new alfalfa seedlings will emerge rapidly and vigorously.  Also, plan your weed control program carefully since manure can also stimulate weed seedlings.  Proper timing of seeding, firm seedbeds, and herbicides or clipping can control weed pressure.

               Looking for a place to spread manure?  A heavy dose before planting alfalfa can pay big dividends.



Big Red Worms Vermicomposting Project Announces Product Launch & Open House

Big Red Worms will hold an Open House next Saturday, April 15, 2017 from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm at their production site at 3211 NW 39th Street in Lincoln.  There will be tours on the hour from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm of the composting facilities and worm beds.  Bags of Vermicompost and Compost/Vermicompost blends that increase soil health, organic matter, and water holding capacity for gardens, flowers, and plant growth will be available in different sizes.  Big Red Worms caps, T-Shirts, and individual home worm systems will also be available for sale.  There will be special open house discounts for volume and an additional 10% discount for NeFU members.

Big Red Worms is a unique and innovative locally owned and sponsored project by Nebraska Farmers Union Enterprises that reduces the volume of products headed to the land fill by collecting and composting food wastes, horse manure, and other sources of cellulose.  A percentage of the compost is used to feed the red wiggler worms who produce the valuable soil building vermicompost that is then mixed with compost and other soil amendments in various levels based on different plant uses and needs.

“After two years of hard work by Jeremiah Picard, our project manager, we are finally ready to start offering finished products for people to use on their gardens, flowers, and specialty crops.  This project is driven by natural processes that take time to transform food wastes into natural soil amendments.  Everyone who works with soil knows that worms do good things for their soils and plants.  Our ‘Waste Not, Want Not’ project is consistent with family farm agriculture’s traditional soil and water conservation ethic that seeks to leave the earth and land in better shape than we found it” said Nebraska Farmers Union (NeFU) president John Hansen. 



Beef Checkoff encourages consumers to #WasteLess

Although beef is one of the least wasted commodities produced in the U.S., at around 20 percent of edible product going to waste, consumers could help improve beef sustainability by 10 percent simply cutting that waste in half.  The Beef Checkoff 30 Day Food Waste Challenge encourages Americans to raise awareness and introduce simple changes to fight food waste in their daily routine.

People who sign up for the Food Waste Challenge will be given shopping tips and food prep strategies to help reduce food waste in their households. They are also encouraged to post on social media using #WasteLess to encourage others to join the challenge.

In 2016, the challenge’s first year, more than 500 people participated. Most participants were graduates of the beef checkoff’s Masters of Beef Advocacy (MBA) program. This group of beef and dairy producers, along with chefs, teachers, doctors, dietitians, and others in the beef community is leading the way in advocating for agriculture and environmental sustainability. This year’s challenge aims to reach beyond MBA graduates and make a bigger impact on reducing food waste across the country.

Not only are cattle producers reducing food waste in their homes, they are doing their part on the farm too. Through better management of cattle nutrition, farmers are able to take byproduct common in their region, such as almond hulls, beet tops, and potato starch, and feed that to cattle instead of letting it go to waste.

Beef is an ideal ingredient to help combat food waste because it is great for batch cooking, can be used in a variety of dishes, and stores well both raw and cooked in the refrigerator and freezer when handled properly. The beef industry is making great strides in minimizing its impact to the environment and hopes that this 30 Day Food Waste Challenge will encourage American’s to join that effort.

Food waste is a continuing problem in the U.S. According to World Food Day, 30 to 40 percent of the food supply in North America is wasted. Food that doesn’t get eaten not only wastes the resources used to produce it, but ends up in a solid waste landfill, the number one source of methane emissions in the U.S. Additionally, the Beef Checkoff’s 2015 Sustainability Executive Summary states that food waste costs the average American family approximately $2,500 annually.



Pork Producers Applaud White House Action on ‘GIPSA’ Rule, Call for Withdraw of Regulation

The Trump administration today gave notice that it will further delay the effective date of a regulation related to the buying and selling of livestock, a move applauded by the National Pork Producers Council, which opposes the Obama-era rule. It also will take public comments on what to do with the regulation.

The so-called Farmer Fair Practices Rules, written by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA), includes two proposed regulations and an interim final rule, the latter of which now is set to become effective Oct. 19.

“We’re extremely pleased that the Trump administration has extended the time it has to review this regulation and the public comments on it, which will show the devastating effects this rule would have on America’s pork producers,” said NPPC President Ken Maschhoff, a pork producer from Carlyle, Ill. “The regulation likely would restrict the buying and selling of livestock, lead to consolidation of the livestock industry – putting farmers out of business – and increase consumer prices for meat.”

A notice in tomorrow’s Federal Register will indicate USDA is delaying the April 22 effective date for the interim final rule by 180 days and setting a 60-day comment period – from April 12 to June 10 – on whether to further delay or withdraw it. Just days into his presidency, President Trump extended for 60 days the public comment deadline on and Feb. 21 effective date of the Farmer Fair Practices Rules.

“The administration recognizes the importance of this issue to livestock farmers,” Maschhoff said, “and it’s following through with its pledge to look at regulations that would negatively affect people and the economy. Now we need to withdraw this bad regulation.”

NPPC is most concerned with the interim final rule, which would broaden the scope of the Packers and Stockyards Act (PSA) of 1921 related to using “unfair, unjustly discriminatory or deceptive practices” and to giving “undue or unreasonable preferences or advantages.” Specifically, the regulation would deem such actions per se violations of federal law even if they didn’t harm competition or cause competitive injury, prerequisites for winning PSA cases.

USDA in 2010 proposed several PSA provisions – collectively known as the GIPSA Rule – that Congress mandated in the 2008 Farm Bill; eliminating the need to prove a competitive injury to win a PSA lawsuit was not one of them. In fact, Congress rejected such a “no competitive injury” provision during debate on the Farm Bill. Additionally, eight federal appeals courts have held that harm to competition must be an element of a PSA case.

“Eliminating the need to prove injury to competition would prompt an explosion in PSA lawsuits by turning every contract dispute into a federal case subject to triple damages,” Maschhoff said. “The inevitable costs associated with that and the legal uncertainty it would create could lead to further vertical integration of our industry and drive packers to own more of their own hogs.

“That would reduce competition, stifle innovation and provide no benefits to anyone other than trial lawyers and activist groups that will use the rule to attack the livestock industry. For those reasons, we’re asking the administration to withdraw the rule.”

An Informa Economics study found that the GIPSA Rule today would cost the U.S. pork industry more than $420 million annually – more than $4 per hog – with most of the costs related to PSA lawsuits brought under the “no competitive injury” provision included in the interim final rule.



Cattlemen Applaud Delay of GIPSA Rule, Call for Its Ultimate Demise

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) applauded today's announcement that the Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA) is delaying the effective date of its interim final rule an additional six months to Oct. 19, 2017.

“This is another step toward common sense and away from counterproductive government intrusion in the free market,” said NCBA President Craig Uden. “That said, while a delay is welcome, ultimately this rule should be killed and American cattle producers should be free to market our beef without the threat of government-sanctioned frivolous lawsuits.”

Two proposed rules and one interim final rule came out on December 20, 2016, one month before the end of the Obama Administration. The interim final rule regarding the scope of the Packers and Stockyards Act and the proposed rule regarding undue preference and unjust treatment have a direct negative impact on the cattle industry. 

Current systems that allow producers to market their cattle as they see fit reward them for producing the higher-quality beef that consumers demand. Under the interim final rule, USDA or a producer no longer needs to prove true economic harm. Instead, one only needs to say that he or she was treated "unfairly" to file a damaging lawsuit that could discourage cattlemen from continuing to invest in improving the quality of beef being produced.

“Trial lawyers are salivating at the prospect of this rule becoming the law of the land,” Uden said. “If this rule isn’t killed once and for all, cattle producers will lose nearly all incentive to invest in the production of higher-quality beef. That would mean less revenue for producers and lower quality for consumers. That’s a lose-lose proposition and exactly why the rule needs to not only be delayed – it needs to be killed outright.”



Farm Bureau Statement on Delay of GIPSA Rules
American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall

“It is clear that a one-size-fits-all approach to the Agriculture Department’s Farmer Fair Practices Rules does not work across the board for all livestock sectors. The announced delay in the rules’ effective date until October will give farmers and ranchers additional time to comment on this important issue.

“We support preserving the contract and marketing arrangements that are working for the beef and pork sectors, and we will reinforce that point during the comment period. There is still vast room for improvement, however, in efforts to ensure a level playing field for poultry farmers. We will continue to emphasize the need to seek additional safeguards in the poultry sector to better protect individual farmers from discriminatory treatment, without disrupting the business practices that are working in the beef and pork sectors.”



Pork Industry Favored by Strong Demand
Chris Hurt, Purdue University

Hog prices are expected to increase in 2017 even with three percent more pork production. Prices will be supported by stronger demand because of a growing U.S. economy and by a robust eight percent growth in exports as projected by USDA. New packer capacity is also expected to contribute to stronger bids for hogs. Feed costs will be the lowest in a decade and total production costs are expected to be at decade lows.

The recently updated USDA inventory report found that the nation's breeding herd was one percent larger than the herd of a year-ago. This continues a rebuilding of the herd that began in 2014 as feed prices began to move sharply lower and the industry began to recover from pig losses due to PED. The national breeding herd has increased by four percent since 2014. Notable expansions of the breeding herd in the past three years have occurred in Missouri 25 percent; Ohio 9 percent; Illinois 8 percent; and Indiana, Nebraska, and Oklahoma each up 4 percent. Farrowing intentions are up one percent for this spring and slightly below year previous levels for this coming summer.

Producers indicated to USDA that they had four percent more animals in the market herd, reflecting four percent higher farrowings last fall, a three percent increase in winter farrowings and a one percent increase in the number of pigs per litter. Given these numbers, pork supplies are expected to rise by five percent in April and May and then drop to a four percent increase for June through August. Three percent more pork can be expected for September through November of 2017 with supplies up one percent this coming winter compared to year-previous levels.

Live hog prices averaged about $46 last year with losses estimated at $11 per head. Prices are expected to be $3 to $4 higher this year. Live hog prices averaged about $50 per hundredweight in the first quarter of 2017. Prices for the second and third quarters are expected to average in the very low $50s. Prices will likely be seasonally lower in the fourth quarter and average in the mid-$40s. If so, prices would average near $49 for the year and be slightly under projected total costs of production with $1 of loss per head. This is basically a forecast for a breakeven year with all costs being covered, including labor costs and equity investors receiving a normal rate of return.

Current expectations are for feed prices to remain low in 2017, but with corn prices increasing into 2018. On a calendar year basis, U.S. corn prices received by farmers averaged $6.67 per bushel in 2012 (unweighted by marketings). Those prices fell to $3.48 per bushel in calendar 2016 and are expected to be only a few cents higher in calendar 2017. Current prospects are for corn to be $.20 to $.30 per bushel higher in calendar year 2018 due to sharp reductions in 2017 U.S. acreage.

Soybean meal averaged $478 per ton in 2014 (high-protein, Decatur, Illinois), but is expected to average only $315 per ton in 2017, the lowest calendar year price since 2010. Total feed costs per hundredweight are expected to be the lowest in a decade dating back to 2007.Total costs of production may reach 10-year lows. Estimated total costs of production reached $67 per live hundredweight in 2012 driven by high feed prices. For calendar year 2017 that may drop to $49.50, which is the lowest estimated total costs of production since 2007 and would represent 10-year lows.

What are the potential shadows for the industry this year? The first is that meat and poultry competition will be high. In addition to three percent more pork, beef production is expected to be up four percent and poultry production up two percent. There is simply a lot of competition for the consumers' food dollars.

Secondly, the optimism for the U.S. economy that has been present in early 2017 could falter. This optimism is related to a stronger job market, low unemployment, and record seeking stock market indexes. The anticipated stimulus package of the new administration has likely been a contributor. Time will tell if Congress can agree on this legislation and move it from anticipation to reality. In addition, the FED is likely to continue a series of interest rate increases to slow growing inflation pressures.

Decade low feed cost is important reason pork producers are expected to almost cover all of their costs this year. Weather in the U.S. and in the Northern Hemisphere will be important in the final determination of yields and feed prices.

The industry needs to keep expansion of the breeding herd to near one percent each year. This one percent increase along with about one percent higher weaning rates means the industry can increase pork production about two percent a year. That is sufficient to cover a one percent growth in domestic population and about one percent annual growth needed to expand exports. Growth of the breeding herd at more than one percent could shift the industry back into losses.



CWT Assists with 2.6 Million Pounds of Cheese Export Sales

Cooperatives Working Together (CWT) has accepted 15 requests for export assistance from Dairy Farmers of America, Northwest Dairy Association (Darigold) and Tillamook County Creamery Association, which have contracts to sell 2.6 million pounds (1,178 metric tons) of Cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses to customers in Asia, Central America, the Middle East and Oceania. The product has been contracted for delivery in the period from April through July 2017.

So far this year, CWT has assisted member cooperatives that have contracts to sell 26.1 million pounds of American-type cheeses and 1.4 million pounds of butter (82% milkfat) to 12 countries on four continents. The sales are the equivalent of 272.9 million pounds of milk on a milkfat basis.

Assisting CWT members through the Export Assistance program in the long term helps member cooperatives gain and maintain market share, thus expanding the demand for U.S. dairy products and the U.S. farm milk that produces them. This, in turn, positively affects all U.S. dairy farmers by strengthening and maintaining the value of dairy products that directly impact their milk price.



Food Prices Down for Easter

Lower retail prices for several foods, including eggs, ground chuck, sirloin tip roast, chicken breasts and toasted oat cereal resulted in a significant decrease in the American Farm Bureau Federation’s Spring Picnic Marketbasket Survey.

“As expected due to lower farm-gate prices, we have seen continued declines in retail prices for livestock products including eggs, beef, chicken, pork and cheese,” said John Newton, AFBF’s director of market intelligence.

The informal survey showed the total cost of 16 food items that can be used to prepare one or more meals was $50.03, down $3.25 or about 6 percent compared to a year ago. Of the 16 items surveyed, 11 decreased, four increased and one remained the same in average price.

Egg prices are down sharply from a year ago and also are down slightly from the third quarter of 2016.

“Egg prices continue to move back toward long-run average prices following the bird flu of 2014/15,” said Newton. “The Agriculture Department is currently monitoring bird flu detections in the Southeast U.S. If detections continue, retail poultry prices could feel an impact due to lower exports or changes in supply,” he said.

“As farm-gate prices for livestock products have declined and remained lower, prices in the retail meat case have become more competitive,” Newton said.

Retail price changes from a year ago:
-    eggs, down 41percent to $1.32 per dozen
-    toasted oat cereal, down 15 percent to $2.83 for a 9-ounce box
-    sirloin tip roast, down 13 percent to $4.95 per pound
-    ground chuck, down 10 percent to $3.92 per pound
-    chicken breast, down 6 percent to $3.17 per pound
-    apples, down 6 percent to $1.55 per pound
-    flour, down 5 percent to $2.36 for a 5-pound bag
-    shredded cheddar cheese, down 4 percent to $4.10 per pound
-    deli ham, down 3 percent to $5.42 per pound
-    bacon, down 3 percent to $4.65 per pound
-    potatoes, down 1 percent to $2.68 for a 5-pound bag
+    bagged salad, up 6 percent to $2.34 per pound
+    white bread, up 2 percent to $1.72 per 20-ounce loaf
+    orange juice, up 1 percent to $3.22 per half-gallon
+    whole milk, up 1 percent to $3.27 per gallon
=    vegetable oil, no change, $2.55 for a 32-ounce bottle

Price checks of alternative milk and egg choices not included in the overall marketbasket survey average revealed the following: 1/2 gallon whole regular milk, $2.10; 1/2 gallon organic milk, $4.20; and one dozen “cage-free” eggs, $3.48.

The year-to-year direction of the marketbasket survey tracks closely with the federal government’s Consumer Price Index (http://www.bls.gov/news.release/cpi.nr0.htm) report for food at home. As retail grocery prices have increased gradually over time, the share of the average food dollar that America’s farm and ranch families receive has dropped.

“Through the mid-1970s, farmers received about one-third of consumer retail food expenditures for food eaten at home and away from home, on average. Since then, that figure has decreased steadily and is now about 16 percent, according to the Agriculture Department’s revised Food Dollar Series,” Newton said.



Kansas Companies Participate in Trade Mission to Mexico

In March 2017, the Kansas Department of Agriculture, in partnership with the Kansas Corn Commission, sponsored an agricultural trade mission to Mexico to expand market opportunities in corn, distiller’s grains and ethanol. Participants on the trade mission included: Brian Baalman, Western Plains Energy, Oakley, Kan.; Tom Bauck, Kansas Ethanol, Lyons, Kan.; Brad Rayl, Kansas Ethanol, Lyons, Kan.; Pat Ross, Lawrence, Kan.; and Terry Vinduska, S and V Family Farms, Marion, Kan. The group was accompanied by Greg Krissek and Stacy Mayo with the Kansas Corn Commission and Kellen Liebsch and Brooke Minihan with the Kansas Department of Agriculture.

“I felt the meetings were all very constructive. I now see how many opportunities there are for Kansas grains in Mexico,” said Vinduska, a Kansas corn producer and Kansas Corn Commission member. “I am excited for what is coming in trade relations, and think there is a lot of potential here for us.”

The participants visited Grupo Lala and Rancho Lucero in Torreon; the U.S. Consulate, Northeastern Cattle Producers Association and Petrorack in Monterrey; and Los Choneros and Bartlett Grain in Aguascalientes. Additionally, Ryan LeGrand and Javier Chávez with the U.S. Grains Council provided an ethanol update to the group.

“I was previously unaware of how much is going on in Mexico and how fast they are growing,” said Bauck. “It is now apparent that we need to work together and establish relationships that will benefit both countries.”

Mexico is a key trade partner for Kansas agricultural commodities. In 2016, Mexico imported almost 30% of the state’s total agriculture exports, easily making them Kansas’ number one trade partner. “If you look at the logistics of Mexico, no other country can replace it as a customer for Kansas grain. It’s more important than ever to let our friends in Mexico know that we are advocating for agricultural trade,” said KDA international trade director Suzanne Ryan-Numrich. “The relationship is far too important for us to ignore.”

The trade mission was sponsored by KDA with assistance from a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration using a State Trade Expansion Program (STEP) grant. The STEP grant helps Kansas non-exporters to get started and existing exporters to export more.