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Pork
Exports Trending Toward Second Highest on Record
The United States exported 302.2 million pounds carcass
weight equivalent of pork in August, 25 million pounds fewer than in
July and 0.8% lower than last year (Figure 1). This marks the first
back-to-back year-on-year declines since July and August of 2009, but
year-to-date pork exports are still up 4.5% from 2009. It now appears
very likely that 2010 will be the second-highest export year on record,
second only to 2008.
Japan remains the largest customer for U.S. pork, but the gap between
Japan and Mexico narrowed significantly in August as exports to Japan
have slowed from their record levels of April and June (Figure 2).
August shipments to Japan were still 0.7% higher than last year.
Year-to-date exports to Japan are 1% higher than last year through
August.
Pork exports to Mexico in August were only 5.7% larger than last year,
but year-to-date shipments to Mexico are 21.4% larger than last year for
the period, primarily due to much better exports in early summer 2010
compared to last year’s H1N1-driven declines.
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Pork
Exports, Value Continue Positive Trend
U.S. pork exports continued an upward trend in August with
the volume of total exports (combined muscle cuts and variety meat)
increasing 8.6% compared to year-ago levels, while their value jumped
15.7% over August 2009 levels.
For the month, 146,459 metric tons (322.9 million pounds) of American
pork valued at $369 million moved into the international markets. This
steady trend moved the volume of pork exports for the year up 3% over
2009 to 1,244,338 metric tons (2.7 billion pounds), while the value is
up 9% to $3.1 billion.
Mexico and Japan continue to be the leading customers for American pork,
with Mexico the volume leader and Japan far and away the top value
market.
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EPA
Approves E15 for Newer Vehicles
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced its
approval to use blends of ethanol up to 15% in cars and lightweight
trucks for model year 2007 and newer. EPA indicates this represents
approximately 65 million cars and about one-third of the domestic fuel
used. EPA also indicated that it will make a decision on E15 for model
years 2001-2006 later this year, after the Department of Energy
completes its testing, which is expected in November. In addition, EPA
is proposing E15 pump labeling requirements, including a requirement
that the fuel industry specify the ethanol content of gasoline sold to
retailers. A quarterly survey of retail stations would be conducted to
ensure gas pumps are properly labeled. Secretary of Agriculture Tom
Vilsack said, “Today’s announcement from EPA is an important step
toward making America more energy independent and creating much-needed
jobs in rural America.”
Reaction to the E15 Approval — Reaction by proponents of the
higher ethanol blend varied. Growth Energy, which petitioned EPA for
E15, called the decision a “historic first step” in cracking the
blend wall put in place over 30 years ago. The National Corn Growers
Association commented, “We’re disappointed in the very limited scope
of this approval, but pleased the EPA has finally taken action to
partially approve the waiver request to allow higher blends of ethanol
in some motor vehicles. We believe this bifurcation of the approval
process, and the labels that are expected to be placed on higher-blend
fuel pumps, can lead to general consumer confusion and, therefore, act
counter to the original intent.” The American Farm Bureau Federation
said, “Ethanol is a clean-burning, home-grown renewable fuel.
Increasing the percentage of ethanol in the domestic gasoline supply
moves our nation one step closer to greater energy independence. It
also promotes job creation in rural America.”
FULL ARTICLE
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Indiana
Senator Objects To GIPSA Marketing Proposal
Senator Richard Lugar (R-IN) joins a growing chorus of
congressional members expressing strong opposition with the U.S.
Department of Agriculture (USDA) Grain Inspection, Packers and
Stockyards Administration’s (GIPSA) proposed rule dealing with
livestock marketing.
Lugar indicates he was recently contacted by agricultural leaders who
represent a majority of livestock producers in Indiana who are deeply
concerned about the proposed GIPSA rule.
In a letter to USDA Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack last week,
Lugar comments:
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Oct. 26, 2010: Workforce Development
Conference on Socially Responsible Pork Production, Country Inn &
Suites, Mankato, MN
for more information contact: Trudy Wastweet, Minnesota Pork Board,
(800) 537-7675, trudy@mnpork.com
or go to www.mnpork.com/producers.
Nov. 4-5, 2010: : Iowa State University Swine
Disease Conference for Swine
Practitioners, Scheman Building, Iowa State University, Ames, IA
for more information contact:Julie Kieffer at kiefferj@iastate.edu or(515)
956-3201.
Nov. 11-17, 2010: United States Animal Health
Association and American Association of Veterinary Laboratory
Diagnosticians Annual Meeting, Minneapolis Hilton Hotel, Minneapolis, MN
for more information contact: www.usaha.org or www.aavld.org.
FULL ARTICLE
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