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Programs to help U.S. farmers build markets overseas boosted agricultural exports by an average of $9.6 billion annually from 1977 to 2019, representing 13.7% of total agricultural export value and returning $24.50 in additional net export revenue for every dollar spent on export promotion. Those are the key conclusions from a study commissioned by the U.S. Grains Council on behalf of members of the U.S. Agricultural Export Development Council (USAEDC) to evaluate USDA’s Market Access Program (MAP) and Foreign Market Development (FMD) program. The study was conducted by IHS Markit in cooperation with Drs. Gary Williams and Oral Capps at Texas A&M University, both experts on evaluating the economic performance of trade promotion programs.

The MAP and FMD programs are authorized by the Farm Bill and administered by USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service. The programs form part of the public-private partnerships that offer competitive cost-share grants for foreign market development activities to USAEDC members. The study reported that these market development programs effectively leveraged industry contributions, averaging between 70–77% of expenditures from 2013–19, valued at an estimated annual average of $567 million.

Source: USAEDC News, May 18, 2022

Zoetis, in partnership with American Horse Publications (AHP), presented the Equine Industry Vision Award to Dr. Billy Smith at the AHP Equine Media Conference in Lexington, Kentucky. The award is given annually in recognition of outstanding leadership, creativity, and meritorious contributions toward positive changes in the equine industry. He has held leadership roles with the American Horse Council and served as chair of the USLGE board of directors.

Source: American Horse Publications Press Release (Christine Brune), May 13, 2022

See also: APHA innovation helps Billy Smith win Equine Vision Award

USDA is accepting applications for an agricultural trade mission to the United Kingdom (U.K.) on June 22–24, 2022.

The mission offers U.S. growers, producers, and exporters the opportunity to explore this dynamic market and to meet the consumer demand in the U.K. In 2021, $2.7 billion of U.S. agricultural and related products were exported to the U.K.

The USDA-sponsored trade mission to the U.K. is 1 of 4 upcoming international trade missions Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced on March 11 that support USDA’s commitment to expanding and diversifying global market opportunities for U.S. agriculture and exporters.  USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) will provide trade mission delegates a platform to conduct face-to-face meetings for the first time since the pandemic began and receive in-depth market briefings and tours from FAS and industry trade experts who can facilitate the export of U.S. products to the U.K.

The deadline to apply for the U.K. trade mission is April 8. For more information, visit fas.usda.gov/topics/trade-missions or email trademissions@usda.gov.

Source: USDA Foreign Agricultural Service

As part of USDA’s commitment to expanding and diversifying global market opportunities for U.S. agriculture, 4 additional international trade missions will be sponsored in 2022. Although final dates are subject to confirmation, the remaining trade missions scheduled for 2022 are:

• London, United Kingdom (June 20–23)
• Manila, Philippines (July 18–21)
• Nairobi, Kenya ... including buyers from across East Africa (October 31–November 3)
• Madrid, Spain ... including buyers from Portugal (November 29–December 3)

“Each year, the Foreign Agricultural Service’s international team of marketing and trade experts pinpoint new and growing global markets that offer the top-notch prospects for U.S. exporters,” USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack said. “Then, during our trade missions, we help those exporters – of everything from gourmet food products, to biofuels, to fresh produce, to livestock genetics – connect with prospective customers and establish or expand their international footprint.”

Additional information about USDA trade missions can be found at https://www.fas.usda.gov/topics/trade-missions.

Source: USDA Foreign Agricultural Service

To compete with live pig supplies from China, Hong Kong local farms are looking for quality breeding stock. The United States is one of their few preferred sources. In 2021, U.S. sales of live breeding pigs to this market grew 11-fold to $494,000, the highest value since 2014. Hong Kong also became the 6th largest export destination for U.S. live breeding pigs. In addition, a few small farms in Hong Kong do breeding utilizing frozen genetics. Currently, there is also interest in sourcing genetics for large black pigs with lean meat.

Source: USDA Foreign Agricultural Service

The international marketing of the Beefmaster breed is a high priority to Beefmaster Breeders United. Beefmaster cattle have enjoyed a rapidly growing international footprint, with established associations in 9 countries worldwide. Those innovative cattlemen have seen the tremendous strengths Beefmasters bring to their own genetic improvement programs. Top genomic seedstock are now in demand with export and cargo value exceeding $1 million for livestock and $250,000 for frozen genetics (semen and embryos) since 2009. In 2020, farmers and the Thai Department of Livestock Development imported over 100 live animals and 10,000 units of semen; 2020 exports were up to $920,450 and year-to-date 2021 reported sales  totaled over $1.7 million and continue to grow. Most of the international growth for the Beefmaster breed has been accomplished with a partnership with USLGE and funding from USDA's Foreign Agricultural Service.

Source: The Beefmaster Cowman, February 2022