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“For example, of the
cattle we’ve tracked, sickness and death loss are about one-fourth the level of
a USDA cattle survey. Likewise, quality is very high. In 2004 cattle, 10 percent
more graded choice than the U.S. average. Preliminary data for 2005 indicate
even better results.”
Lee Meyer,
UK Agricultural Economist |
By Aimee Nielson
LEXINGTON, Ky., (Feb. 3, 2006) – Export markets for U.S. beef are demanding more
detailed information about the animals from which the meat comes. A new national
program was created to help U.S. beef producers document the source and age of
cattle to make their herds ready for export markets.
The Beef Export Verification program will help to ensure that exported beef
comes from cattle younger than 21 months of age. A similar program already
exists in Kentucky called the Value-Added Targeted Marketing program. The VATM
program was implemented by the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture
with funds from the Kentucky Beef Network.
Through the VATM program, calves are sold in trackable lots – lots of 50 to 80
calves that move through the feedlot as a group. The calves can be sold directly
or through CPH sales. Producers interested in the program place an electronic
identification tag in each calf’s ear.
Cattle with electronic ID are eligible for the Beef Export Verification program.
Producers who want to certify the age of their calves can do so by keeping
records and participating in the Kentucky Beef Network program, said UK
Agricultural Economist Lee Meyer.
“We monitor the development of the calves,” Meyer said. “When they are
harvested, we send the grader into the plant to collect detailed information
about the quality of the beef. Then we return that data to cattle managers and
help them use the information to improve their management practices. It only
costs about $10 per head fro the electronic ID and the cost of the grader. The
producer splits this cost with the VATM program.”
“Currently, we are tracking about 2,000 head each year, and we’re finding that
Kentucky cattle perform very well,” he said. “For example, of the cattle we’ve
tracked, sickness and death loss are about one-fourth the level of a USDA cattle
survey. Likewise, quality is very high. In 2004 cattle, 10 percent more graded
choice than the U.S. average. Preliminary data for 2005 indicate even better
results.”
Writer:
Aimee Nielson
(859) 257-4736, ext. 267
Contact: Lee Meyer (859)
257-7272, ext. 228
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