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United States
USMEF Officials Encourage International Engagement
Two USMEF officials encouraged about 200 attendees of the International Livestock Congress in Denver Jan. 9 to become more involved in international markets by gaining knowledge of their importance, as well as the value of the products those markets may desire.
Phil Seng, USMEF president and CEO, told the group the future of U.S. beef looks “very, very bright internationally,” explaining that “how well we cooperate (as an industry) will determine how well we compete.” Eighty-five percent of proteins are being consumed outside the United States, he said, and that helps illustrate the potential for U.S. beef.
Seng said there were 133 countries importing U.S. beef before the first U.S. case of BSE in December 2003, and within 48 hours of that discovery 72 had been closed to the product. Before the closure the United States was the second largest beef exporter in the world.
Seng said it has been a challenge to convince other governments to accept science-based BSE protocols, and that “the politics have been more difficult than the disease itself.”
Paul Clayton, USMEF senior vice president, export services, showed the audience how nearly $100 additional per animal is being generated by identifying products that can be successfully marketed in foreign countries. By optimizing the fabrication with the retail and foodservice markets in other countries in mind, he said, greater value for the carcass can be generated.
Clayton said looking at products item by item, the gained value may not seem like much. But the increases quickly add up. “Dimes, nickels and pennies make a huge difference when you’re looking at value,” he said.
The 2007 International Livestock Congress was held in conjunction with the National Western Stock Show, taking place this month in Denver.
United States
USMEF Officials Encourage International Engagement
Two USMEF officials encouraged about 200 attendees of the International Livestock Congress in Denver Jan. 9 to become more involved in international markets by gaining knowledge of their importance, as well as the value of the products those markets may desire.
Phil Seng, USMEF president and CEO, told the group the future of U.S. beef looks “very, very bright internationally,” explaining that “how well we cooperate (as an industry) will determine how well we compete.” Eighty-five percent of proteins are being consumed outside the United States, he said, and that helps illustrate the potential for U.S. beef.
Seng said there were 133 countries importing U.S. beef before the first U.S. case of BSE in December 2003, and within 48 hours of that discovery 72 had been closed to the product. Before the closure the United States was the second largest beef exporter in the world.
Seng said it has been a challenge to convince other governments to accept science-based BSE protocols, and that “the politics have been more difficult than the disease itself.”
Paul Clayton, USMEF senior vice president, export services, showed the audience how nearly $100 additional per animal is being generated by identifying products that can be successfully marketed in foreign countries. By optimizing the fabrication with the retail and foodservice markets in other countries in mind, he said, greater value for the carcass can be generated.
Clayton said looking at products item by item, the gained value may not seem like much. But the increases quickly add up. “Dimes, nickels and pennies make a huge difference when you’re looking at value,” he said.
The 2007 International Livestock Congress was held in conjunction with the National Western Stock Show, taking place this month in Denver.