Thursday July 12 Ag News

NEBRASKA CROP PRODUCTION REPORT

Based on July 1 conditions, Nebraska's winter wheat production is forecast at 48.0 million bushels, up 2 percent from last year, according to the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service. Average yield is forecast at 48 bushels per acre, up 2 bushels from 2017. Area to be harvested for grain is estimated at 1.00 million acres, down 2 percent from a year ago.

Oat production is forecast at 2.57 million bushels, up 50 percent from last year. Average yield is forecast at 57 bushels per acre, up 8 bushels from 2017. Area to be harvested for grain is estimated at 45,000 acres, up 29 percent from a year ago.



US Wheat Production Pegged Down 6% from Last Year

Winter wheat production is forecast at 1.19 billion bushels, down less than 1 percent from the June 1 forecast and down 6 percent from 2017. As of July 1, the United States yield is forecast at 48.0 bushels per acre, down 0.4 bushel from last month and down 2.2 bushels from last year's average yield of 50.2 bushels per acre. The area expected to be harvested for grain totals 24.8 million acres, unchanged from the Acreage report released on June 29, 2018, but down 2 percent from last year.

Hard Red Winter production, at 657 million bushels, is up 1 percent from last month. Soft Red Winter, at 303 million bushels, is down 4 percent from the June forecast. White Winter, at 232 million bushels, is up less than 1 percent from last month. Of the White Winter production, 21.1 million bushels are Hard White and 211 million bushels are Soft White.

Durum wheat production is forecast at 74.9 million bushels, up 36 percent from 2017. The United States yield is forecast at 40.7 bushels per acre, up 15.0 bushels from last year. Area expected to be harvested for grain or seed totals 1.84 million acres, unchanged from the Acreage report released on June 29, 2018, but 14 percent below 2017.

Other spring wheat production is forecast at 614 million bushels, up 48 percent from last year. Area harvested for grain or seed is expected to total 12.9 million acres, unchanged from the Acreage report released on June 29, 2018, but 27 percent above 2017. The United States yield is forecast at a record high 47.6 bushels per acre, up 6.6 bushels from last year. Of the total production, 584 million bushels are Hard Red Spring wheat, up 52 percent from last year.



Farm Finance and Ag Law Clinics in July 

Openings are available for one-on-one, confidential farm finance and ag law consultations being conducted across the state each month. An experienced ag law attorney and ag financial counselor will be available to address farm and ranch issues related to financial planning, estate and transition planning, farm loan programs, debtor/creditor law, water rights, and other relevant matters. The clinics offer an opportunity to seek an experienced outside opinion on issues affecting your farm or ranch.

Clinic Sites and Dates
    Grand Island — Thursday, July 5
    North Platte — Thursday, July 12
    Valentine — Monday, July 16
    Lexington — Thursday, July 19
    Norfolk — Friday, July 20
    Fairbury - Thursday, August 2

To sign up for a free clinic or to get more information, call Michelle at the Nebraska Farm Hotline at 1-800-464-0258.  The Nebraska Department of Agriculture and Legal Aid of Nebraska sponsor these clinics.



Research Team to Examine Irrigation's Role in Precipitation

A national team led by the University of Nebraska--Lincoln is studying potential links among irrigation, cloud formation and rainfall.

Funded by the National Science Foundation, the Great Plains Irrigation Experiment -- or GRAINEX -- is gathering weather observations in June and July from a 3,600-square-mile region in southeastern Nebraska. The timing allows the team to better understand how irrigation may affect climate conditions at the start of irrigation season in June through late July when irrigation peaks.

"The study area includes a transition from extensively irrigated areas to dry land or non-irrigated areas," said Rezaul Mahmood, lead researcher and director of Nebraska's High Plains Regional Climate Center in the School of Natural Resources. "In other words, the experimental setting provides a unique opportunity to investigate the influence of these two noticeably different land surfaces and land covers side-by-side."

Results of the study could be used to better inform agricultural planning and weather forecasting in the United States and around the world, Mahmood said.

Researchers on the project include Udaysankar Nair of the University of Alabama at Huntsville, Eric Rappin of Western Kentucky University and Roger Pielke Sr. of Colorado. The team is working closely with the Nebraska State Climate Office, Nebraska Extension and Natural Resource Districts in the study area.

Scientists have shown that widespread global irrigation is adding significant amounts of water to the land surface and is altering regional land use and land cover. These changes can affect local and regional weather development, including cloud formation and rainfall, but the link hasn't been fully fleshed out.

"Prior studies have found that the Great Plains is a hotspot where soil moisture plays an important role in cloud formation and precipitation," said Nick Anderson, a program director in the National Science Foundation's Division of Atmospheric and Geospace Sciences, which funded the research. "Land use change and irrigation due to agricultural activities could be important factors affecting land-atmosphere interactions in this region."

In May, the researchers from six partnering institutions -- Nebraska, Western Kentucky University, the University of Alabama at Huntsville, the University of Colorado Boulder, the National Center for Atmospheric Research, and the Center for Severe Weather Research -- started collecting weather observations at five locations in Nebraska.

The team has deployed 80 temporary meteorological stations and is measuring the fluxes of water and energy from six irrigated and six non-irrigated locations. It is also gathering radar observations of the lower atmosphere from three locations and adding two surface-based locations capable of observing and collecting data on the lower atmosphere. The researchers also are sending up 600 weather balloons to collect data on the atmospheric pressure, temperature, humidity and wind speed every two daytime hours for 15 days.

"Several times, I asked myself if I was asking for too much or trying to do too much," Mahmood said, especially once he discovered the trucks hauling helium to the testing sites were too heavy to cross the rural route bridges. "But we want to do good science."

All the data will be analyzed and used alongside modeled applications to determine if and how irrigation is affecting precipitation in the Great Plains. For modeling, the team will use Nebraska's Holland Computing Center and other computational facilities.



U.S. Pork Calls for Level Playing Field as FDA Makes Regulatory Land Grab

Already bearing the brunt of global trade retaliation against American agriculture, U.S. pork producers now face additional headwinds in the form of a regulatory land grab by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) today called on the U.S. Department of Agriculture to assert its proper oversight of two emerging issues critical to the future of animal agriculture: laboratory-produced cultured protein and gene editing in livestock production.

Alternative Proteins Want It Both Ways
Alternative proteins include those that are plant-based as well as cultured products grown in a lab. The FDA today hosts a public hearing to address regulatory oversight of cultured products that are engineered in a lab to look, smell and taste like real meat. While the viability, production practices and environmental impact of these products are shrouded in secrecy, the misleading marketing plans of the companies producing such products are clear, with animal imagery and terms such as “clean meat” and “prime beef” used in their packaging prototypes.

NPPC urges the Trump administration to establish a level playing field by establishing regulatory authority over laboratory-produced cultured protein products with the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service, where they will be required to comply with the same regulatory standards, including continuous inspection, process controls, antemortem and postmortem inspection of source animals and other requirements, as conventionally produced red meat and poultry products.

“While we know very little about the production methods of laboratory-produced cultured products, alternative protein companies are clearly working to present their products as real meat while seeking FDA oversight that would allow them to avoid rigorous inspection, labelling scrutiny and other regulations faced by livestock agriculture,” said NPPC President Jim Heimerl, a pork producer from Johnstown, Ohio. “These companies – and their unsubstantiated claims about the sustainability, safety and ethics of their products – must be accountable to the same group that regulates the real meat they are striving to mimic.”

Luddite-Like FDA Oversight Won’t Unlock Gene Editing Potential
Gene editing holds tremendous food safety and animal health and welfare promise for U.S. pork. It is an emerging innovation that allows for simple changes to be made within a pig’s native genetic structure without introducing genes from other species. Gene editing simply accelerates genetic improvements that could be realized naturally over time through breeding. Emerging applications include the use of gene editing to produce pigs resistant to Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome, a highly contagious swine disease that causes significant animal suffering and has cost pork producers worldwide billions of dollars. 

Despite the lack of any statutory requirement, the FDA currently holds regulatory authority over gene editing in food producing animals. As a result, an animal health breakthrough that will dramatically enhance animal care and food safety and support economic prosperity in rural America faces an impractical, lengthy and expensive approval process that will render it unavailable to American farmers while countries around the world realize its potential. FDA oversight will treat any gene edited animal as a living animal drug – and every farm raising them a drug manufacturing facility – undermining U.S. agricultural competitiveness relative to other countries with more progressive gene editing regulatory policies.

NPPC urges the Trump administration to move regulatory oversight of gene editing in animals from the FDA to the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. APHIS, which already regulates gene editing in plants, can ensure a proper, risk-based regulatory review under the Animal Health Protection Act.

“It’s deeply disturbing to U.S. pork producers to see the FDA adopt a Luddite-like regulatory approach that threatens the global competitiveness of U.S. agriculture,” said Heimerl. “Common sense regulations have helped make U.S. pork the global leader, and we can’t afford to cede such an important innovation to the rest of the world.”



Enforcement of Labeling Regulations is Critical to Any Future Policy on Cell-Cultured Products Replicating Meat, Dairy

As the use of laboratory-based cell culture technologies to replicate naturally made foods continues to develop, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) must first enforce its own existing regulations on the labeling of imitation products, according to the National Milk Producers Federation.

At an FDA hearing today focused on the regulation of cell-cultured products replicating meat, NMPF said that these rapidly evolving technologies impact dairy foods, as well. Just as scientists have discovered how to make “meat” imitations look and feel like the real thing, so, too, have they used genetically modified yeast to produce proteins that share a chemical identity with those found in milk.

FDA has asserted jurisdiction over products manufactured from cell culture technology, but Beth Briczinski, NMPF’s vice president for dairy foods and nutrition, warned that the agency’s failure to enforce existing labeling standards is a major concern.

“For decades, manufacturers have been making fake milk and other imitation dairy beverages, and inappropriately using the names of products on their labels that have clear FDA standards of identity,” said Briczinski. “What began as a clever marketing tactic has led to the rampant abuse of legally defined dairy terms, while FDA has looked the other way. Most importantly, it has misled consumers over the nutritional composition of these products in comparison to traditional milk and its contributions to a healthy diet.”

Over the last 20 years, NMPF and its members have made repeated requests for FDA to take enforcement action on misbranded imitation dairy products, with FDA continually claiming the issue is not an agency priority.  “As a result, we now have an ‘anything goes’ attitude in the marketplace,” said Briczinski. The recent debate over how to regulate and market synthetic meat developed in a lab has brought an added sense of urgency for the dairy industry.

Without a consistent regulatory framework that addresses the marketing of imitation meat and dairy products, in addition to FDA’s selective enforcement, NMPF believes labeling abuses by product manufacturers, further consumer confusion, and a lack of U.S. compliance with international standards will continue to spread.

Briczinski once again reiterated the industry’s request that FDA enforce the labeling laws already on the books regarding fake “milks,” stressing that “it’s beyond time to resolve this problem.” NMPF also plans to file written comments.



Cattlemen Press for USDA Oversight at Public Meeting on Lab-Grown Fake Meat

Today Danielle Beck, director of government affairs for the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, used remarks at a public meeting to advocate for U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) oversight of lab-grown fake meat products. Hosted by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the stated goal of the public meeting was to provide interested parties and the public with an opportunity to comment on the technology and regulations related to lab-grown fake meat technology. However, despite existing federal laws which designate USDA as the primary oversight body of lab-grown fake meat, USDA was not afforded a role in the public meeting.

“NCBA applauds the pointed questions FDA has posed regarding risks, hazards and manufacturing methods of lab-grown meat food products,” said Beck. “However, the appropriate agency to ask the questions under discussion today is the agency that will ultimately have jurisdiction over lab-grown meat food products. Any fair reading of the law places lab-grown meat food products within the primary jurisdiction of the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service.”

Beck also explained why USDA jurisdiction is crucial for ensuring that lab-grown fake meat products are safe for consumers. Continuous inspection that draws on the scientific expertise of USDA’s Food Safety Inspection Service provides the most stringent oversight of any perishable meat food product.

“Critical food safety oversight objectives can only be accomplished if USDA complies with the law and asserts jurisdiction over cultured meat food products,” Beck added.

Many promoters of lab-grown fake meat have claimed that USDA oversight of lab-grown fake meat is unnecessary because animals are not being harvested. In fact, USDA inspection is required for all federal meat plants, whether harvesting occurs or not. USDA inspectors provide daily oversight in facilities where meat is processed into products such as ground beef, hot dogs or deli meats.



Witnesses Explain Multiple Benefits of Public Lands Grazing at Congressional Hearing

A lieutenant governor, a scientist, and an agricultural industry leader made the case for eliminating regulatory burdens and legal loopholes impacting livestock grazing on federal land during a House Natural Resources subcommittee hearing held today.

Idaho Lieutenant Governor Brad Little, University of Montana Professor Dr. Dave Naugle, and Arizona Farm Bureau President Stefanie Smallhouse provided testimony to the Subcommittee on Federal Lands hearing entitled “The Essential Role of Livestock Grazing on Federal Lands and Its Importance to Rural America.” The witnesses emphasized the valuable contribution public lands ranchers make to the economic viability of rural communities and the health of America’s shared natural resources.

“Ranchers are indispensable in the successful management of our public lands. Unlike government administrators, who are only there for a few years, ranchers have been on the land for generations,” said Little, a third-generation rancher testifying on behalf of the State of Idaho, the Public Lands Council, and the National Cattlemen's Beef Association. “If ranchers are regulated off, our country loses the most effective and efficient public lands managers, and the private inholdings are likely sold for development.”

Species conservation is one of the benefits of public lands ranching. The Sage Grouse Initiative (SGI), part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Working Lands for Wildlife (WLFW) species conservation model, demonstrates the potential of collaborative conservation efforts between ranchers and federal agencies. Naugle, who has served as a third-party science advisor to SGI for eight years, believes it is vital to ensure ranchers can continue raising livestock on public lands.

”To date, 2,154 producers have partnered up to conserve 7.5 million acres of grazing lands, an acreage equivalent to three Yellowstone National Parks, benefiting hundreds of rural communities and countless wildlife resources,” Naugle said. “Rancher participation in SGI remains high post-listing decision because WLFW provides win-win solutions that are ‘good for the bird and good for the herd’.”

Despite the proven benefits or grazing, activist groups have increasingly targeted the livestock industry. According to a study by the Mountain States Legal Foundation, a group of eight environmental activist groups filed over 3,300 lawsuits nationwide over a ten-year period. Little said many of these lawsuits exploit regulations found in environmental policy, limiting grazing on public land.

“While well-intended when enacted in the seventies, ESA and NEPA have evolved into weapons for habitual litigants, and the regulations they produce are as ineffective as they are burdensome,” Little said. “Species conservation doesn’t work from the top-down.”

Public lands ranchers see an opportunity to work with the federal government and the environmental community to achieve desired outcomes in land management and species conservation across the West. However, this can only be achieved through regulatory reform that will allow their industry to continue to serve as stewards to America’s public land.

“I urge you to address the burdensome regulatory environment which threatens our way of life and those rural communities where ranching is the year-round backbone that sustains our schools, healthcare, and economies,” Little said.



FB Urges Congress to Save Ranches, Federal Lands

Arizona Farm Bureau Federation President Stefanie Smallhouse today urged Congress to streamline environmental regulation to preserve ranching as well as the land itself.

The fifth-generation rancher told members of the House Subcommittee on Federal Lands that America’s vast, largely government-owned grazing lands would be much worse off without private sector caretakers who work to maintain federal and state lands just as they do the privately-owned ranch land located next to and within federal and state rangeland.

“This partnership maintains open space on private, state and federal lands through management of watersheds,” she said. “It encourages capital investments for the benefit of livestock and wildlife on working landscapes, and supplies a large workforce to manage and care for the public trust without added expense to the taxpayer.”

Smallhouse reminded the Subcommittee that ranching’s open spaces ensure all species have the chance to migrate and move across the countryside. Such mobility is not guaranteed by most other land uses. Access to government lands also helps ensure that cattle will not overgraze any area in which they live, which further helps the environment. “Western ranches tend to be vast in acreage to survive periods of drought, combat creeping development and mitigate for restrictive environmental actions,” she told the subcommittee.

Even so, Smallhouse said, federal review of projects that help the environment as well as the economy take much too long.

“Agencies should focus on cutting red tape so that more time and effort is devoted to on ground improvements. In addition, greater flexibility should be provided to land managers and permittees, while at the same time improving the conservation of the land. Both Congress and the agencies need to start thinking of how to resolve this problem now. Unless solutions are found, western rangelands and the rural economy will continue to decline.”



Farm Bureau Supports Endangered Species Act Reforms
Zippy Duvall, President of the American Farm Bureau Federation

“The Western Caucus today introduced eight separate bills to reform the Endangered Species Act. The ESA, despite the good intentions it was built on, has failed in recovering endangered wildlife. Instead, it has threatened our ability to make productive use of the land. Perhaps the only ‘species’ that have benefited from the ESA have been lawyers and special interest groups.

“Farmers and ranchers want to take care of the land and wildlife. We are blessed to live and work out in nature and we want to preserve it. Unfortunately, the ESA discourages voluntary practices and targets farmers and ranchers rather than working in partnership with them. There is a better way.

“These measures will restore common sense to a regulatory regime that has gone unchecked and grown out of control. ESA reform is long overdue. We urge all members of Congress to support the bills introduced today, to return the ESA to what it was intended to be.”



USDA Appoints Members to National Dairy Promotion and Research Board

Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue today announced the appointment of 13 members to fill vacancies on the 37-member National Dairy Promotion and Research Board. Twelve appointees will serve three-year terms, November 1, 2018, through October 31, 2021. One appointee will serve the remaining portion of a vacant position, effective immediately, and expiring October 31, 2019.

“These appointees represent a cross section of the dairy industry and will aid the National Dairy Board as it carries out its coordinated program of promotion and research to maintain and expand domestic and international markets for dairy products. I know the industry will be well served by them,” said Perdue.

Appointed members serving three-year terms expiring October 31, 2021, are:
    Warren L. Chamberlain, Oregon, Region 1
    Brad J. Scott, Calif., Region 2
    Pauline Tjaarda, Calif., Region 2
    David W. Jackson, Texas, Region 4
    deb Vander Kooi, Minn., Region 5
    Evan J. Hillan, Wis., Region 6
    Randy G. Roecker, Wis., Region 6
    Doug J. Carroll, Iowa, Region 7
    Kim Korn, Idaho, Region 8
    Cynthia K. Adam, Indiana, Region 9
    David T. Pyle, Maryland, Region 11
    Patricia J. Bikowsky, New York, Region 12

Appointed member serving a vacant term, expiring October 31, 2019:
    Michael R. Oosten, Calif., Region 2

The Dairy Board includes 36 dairy producer members representing 12 geographic regions within the United States and one member representing dairy importers. Dairy Board members serve three-year terms, with no member serving more than two consecutive terms. Members are selected by the Secretary from nominations submitted by dairy producer organizations, dairy importer organizations, general farm organizations, and Qualified Programs.



Trade Agreement Access Sparks Record-Setting Exports To Colombia

U.S. corn exports to Colombia have set a new record every year since the U.S.-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement (TPA) entered into force into 2012, showing the effectiveness of strong trade policy and subsequent market development work to increasing sales of U.S. agricultural products.

“Colombian livestock and feed producers have benefitted from the cost advantages provided by the trade agreement with the United States for their grain needs,” said Marri Tejada, U.S. Grains Council (USGC) regional director for the Western Hemisphere. “Larger imports of U.S. grains and co-products depend on industry growth, higher inclusion rates and further educational activities for end-users.”

The free trade agreement between Colombia and the United States was signed in 2006, but not put into effect for six more years. During that time, U.S. grain exports decreased due to more favorable duties for competitors.

The Council helped make the case for the agreement’s ratification, which included duty-free access for the first 2.1 million metric tons (82.7 million bushels) of corn imports in addition to a tariff rate quota for U.S. sorghum. Once these preferential terms were in place, the Council worked with buyers who wanted to take advantage of the favorable policy, fueling dramatic growth.

U.S. market share in the Colombian corn market has increased from 5.3 percent in 2012, the year the trade agreement was implemented, to 97.3 percent in 2014 and 99.7 percent in 2017. Colombia imported 4.73 million tons (186 million bushels) of U.S. corn in 2016/2017, ranking as the fourth largest buyer. Eight months into the 2017/2018 marketing year (September 2017-April 2018), Colombia had already imported 4.17 million tons (164 million bushels) of U.S. corn, up eight percent from the same time the prior year and jumping to the third largest buyer for the current marketing year.

USGC’s Outlook Colombia 2030 report projected Colombia corn imports will reach 5.5 million tons (216.5 million bushels) by 2020 and 7.8 million tons (307 million bushels) by 2030, with the majority of that demand met by U.S. producers.

“Even though the market is still price-driven, the competitive conditions favoring the United States and the Council’s marketing programs in the country add value to the industry,” Tejada said. “Working closely with the industry associations and the largest feed and livestock producers in Colombia enhances the Council’s ability to service this market.”

Strong educational programming is a critical component of the Council’s work in Colombia. As part of these efforts, the Council conducted a South American trade school in three Colombian cities in late May to provide information to Latin American livestock and feed producers. Seventy-three participants from 32 companies in Colombia, Peru and Ecuador attended the sessions on risk management, contracts, international freight markets and quality.

“Trade schools offer reliable, transparent and independent information in addition to contributing to the Council’s position as an ally and supporter of the improvement of Colombia’s livestock and feed industries,” Tejada said. “Programs like trade schools help emphasize the U.S. competitive advantage in the country and provide the opportunity for USGC representatives to answer questions and address concerns to facilitate trade with the United States.”

Colombia also represents a burgeoning market for U.S. ethanol, with the Colombian government increasing the national blend mandate to E10 in March 2018.

Colombia has a growing domestic ethanol industry, producing sugar-based ethanol. U.S. ethanol enters Colombia duty free per the terms of the U.S.–Colombia trade agreement, but the government’s current low-carbon fuel standard discriminates against corn-based ethanol. Still, some U.S. refineries can meet the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reductions required in the standard.

Despite these challenges, Colombia set a new record for U.S. ethanol imports in 2016/2017, purchasing 13.7 million gallons. Imports in the current marketing year have nearly tripled year-over-year to 28.7 million gallons.

Strong sales of U.S. coarse grains and co-products to Colombia are a testament to the importance of this market and its growth in coming decades. Yet, none of these successes would have been achieved without the preferential access provided by the trade agreement between the United States and Colombia.

“The Colombian industry has established a strong trading relationship with the United States and they want to continue to build on that relationship,” Tejada said. “The trade agreement between the two countries ensures the United States remains a long-term supplier to this highly competitive and growing market.”



USDA Announces Japan to Accept Exports of U.S. Sheep and Goat Meat

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue is announcing that the government of Japan has finalized technical requirements that will allow U.S. sheep and goat exports into the country for the first time in more than 14 years.

“This success is a direct result of USDA’s dedication to helping America’s farmers and ranchers keep and find new markets for their products,” Secretary Perdue said. “The United States has a reputation for high quality agricultural products and this Administration is committed to helping U.S. producers prosper and share these products with the world.”

This announcement comes after extensive work by U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) technical staff with Japanese authorities to establish new terms for market access that are science-based and consistent with international public and animal health standards. These terms will allow U.S. exports of sheep and goat meat to resume.

Last year, Japan imported $169 million in sheep and goat meat, primarily from Australia and New Zealand. More details on Japan’s export requirements are available from the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service Export Library at: www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/international-affairs/exporting-products/export-library-requirements-by-country/Japan.



USMEF Statement on Japanese Market Reopening to U.S. Lamb

After a nearly 15-year absence, U.S. lamb has officially regained access to Japan, USDA officials announced today. Japan closed to U.S. lamb in December 2003 as a result of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) detected in the U.S. cattle herd.

“Japan was a primary market for U.S. lamb before losing access, so obviously our lamb producers and the lamb industry are very excited about this opportunity to again export our quality products to an upscale market,” said U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) Chair Dennis Stiffler, president of the Texas division of Halperns’ Purveyors of Steak and Seafood and former chief executive officer of Mountain States Rosen, a livestock producer-owned processor and distributor of lamb and veal products. “The Japanese have proven in the past that they are very receptive to the unique flavor of U.S. lamb, and 95 percent of all lamb raised in the U.S. is grain-fed. It’s a very succulent protein that will stand up well to competitors’ products in the Japanese market. U.S. lamb has been well-received in other upscale markets, including Taiwan which reopened to U.S. lamb in 2016. But Japan presents an exceptional opportunity for significant export growth.”

Already the leading value market for U.S. beef and pork, Japanese consumers are expected to embrace U.S. lamb’s flavor and consistency, along with the essential nutrients that make it part of a healthy diet.

Dan Halstrom, USMEF president and CEO, thanked U.S. agricultural and trade officials for their efforts to restore market access for U.S. lamb and said the announcement lays the groundwork for a much-needed boost for lamb exports.

“As is the case in other markets where U.S. red meat has been successful in regaining access, this is the result of tremendous work by U.S. government officials and the U.S. meat industry,” said Halstrom. “There is great demand for high-quality, grain-fed red meat in Japan, as demonstrated by the success of U.S. beef and pork. The U.S. lamb industry is anxious to capitalize on opportunities in Japan’s restaurant and retail sectors, and USMEF is eager to begin promoting U.S. lamb in Japan.”

Japan’s lamb imports reached a record value of $168 million last year, up 26 percent year-over-year. Through May 2018, imports were 43 percent ahead of last year’s pace in value at $95 million, while volume was up 28 percent to 12,265 metric tons. Australia is the top supplier of lamb entering Japan with 60 percent market share so far this year, while New Zealand supplied 38 percent.



Strategie Grains Issues Sharp Cut to 2018-19 European Grain Forecast

Strategie Grains on Thursday cut its estimate for 2018-19 European grain production, in its latest forecast update for the season.

The crop consultant decreased its monthly forecast for the crop year by 12.7 million metric tons to 290.7 million tons from 303.4 million tons, a sharp contraction of 4.4%.

Strategie slashed its soft-wheat production forecast by 7.6 million tons to 132.4 million tons, citing sharp drops in predicted production out of France and Germany.

The grain consultancy also made a deep cut to it barley-production forecast by 2.9 million tons to 59.6 million tons, citing cuts in similar regions.

The update also included a 0.3 million ton cut to Strategie's forecast for maize, with estimated production now pegged at 60.6 million tons and a 0.7 million ton cut to durum-wheat production to 8.4 million tons.

By early July, "harvesting had been significantly slowed by rain in southeast Europe, where a substantial portion of the harvest has suffered qualitative damage," Strategie's report said.

"Grain yields in these countries are acceptable but lower than last year," it added.

"Meanwhile, yield results for winter barley and initial feedback from the soft-wheat harvests indicate disappointing yields in Italy and France. The quality of the grains harvested so far in France and Italy is generally disappointing...First results in from the winter barley harvests in Germany and Poland confirm low yields," the report continued.