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George E. Seidel, Jr., passed away on September 4, 2021, with his family by his side. He was well-known for his scientific contributions and as being a kind friend and colleague who always had an open door. He was a cattle rancher and boss with an unrelenting work ethic. After earning a B.S. at Pennsylvania State University in dairy science in 1965, he completed an M.S. and a Ph.D. from Cornell University in 1968 and 1970, respectively, focusing on reproductive physiology in cattle. In 1971, George took a faculty position at Colorado State University, where he rose through the ranks from assistant professor to University Distinguished Professor in 1993. From his early days of studying bull semen to his work on improving in vitro embryo production, he was highly competent in all aspects of reproductive physiology. He later became known for his work in developing methods for sexing semen and applied research for its use in animal agriculture. George received numerous awards over the course of his career for his stellar research and the creation of a graduate training program in bovine gamete and embryo biology, including being named as a member of the National Academy of Sciences and as one of the most influential people in the development of the U.S. beef industry.
Source: Colorado State University
USLGE has joined the U.S. Sustainability Alliance (USSA). Kevin Latner, USSA chair, says that “We are delighted to welcome USLGE on board. They are a great addition to our already diverse membership of American farmers, foresters, fishermen and supply chain partners. Expect to hear more over the coming months about the role that improved genetics play in sustainable livestock production.”
Brazil has become the largest importer of U.S. bovine semen. Martin Sieber, President and CEO of U.S. Livestock Genetics Export (USLGE), visited the Expointer agricultural trade show in Rio Grande do Sul and noted that Brazil’s importers focus mostly on Holsteins. [Article in Portuguese]
Source: Jornal do Comércio
USDA announced the names of individuals who will hold key staff positions in Washington, DC. Among those are Brooke Jamison as Associate Administrator of the Foreign Agricultural Service and Regina Black as Chief of Staff for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs.
Source: USDA
Thanks to a 2019 USDA Quality Samples Program grant to the American Quarter Horse Association, 19 foals with U.S. genes were born on Czech ranches between 2020 and 2021, with the first 6 foals born last summer. In 2021, Czech breeders saw a “Quarter Horse baby boom,” with 13 foals sired by stallions from Texas’ famous 6666 Ranch. As a result, the top-quality genes of these stallions will be present in all future generations of Czech quarter horses.
Source: U.S. Embassy in The Czech Republic
USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack named Daniel Whitley to be the new Administrator of USDA's Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS). Whitley has served as the agency’s Acting Administrator since December 2020. Whitley is no stranger to FAS stakeholders and the agricultural trade community, having served in various positions during a 20-year career with the agency. Most recently, he was responsible for leading the FAS trade policy and market analysis teams as Associate Administrator. Whitley joined FAS after starting his career with USDA’s Economic Research Service, focusing on market access issues in the World Trade Organization.
FAS links U.S. agriculture to the world to enhance export opportunities and global food security through its Washington, D.C.-based staff and a global network of nearly 100 offices covering approximately 180 countries.
Source: USDA Foreign Agricultural Service
On June 25, Michael Conlon, Agricultural Counselor, and Sinem Duyum, Agricultural Specialist, attended an event at Kafkas University to celebrate the donation of 67 Beefmaster embryos to Turkey by the U.S. livestock industry. The donation took place in early 2021 and will build goodwill between the United States and Turkey as these embryos will be used to develop the foundation for a Turkish Beefmaster herd and should help increase sales of U.S. livestock genetics to Turkey.
Source: USDA Foreign Agricultural Service
U.S. agricultural exports in the first 4 months (January–April) of 2021 were a record $59 billion, exceeding the previous record set in 2014 by nearly $5 billion. Robust global demand, high commodity prices, and increased U.S. competitiveness have led to record exports of corn, sorghum, beef, food preparations, and other products. U.S. exports of live animals from January through April were valued at over $366 million, a 27% increase from the previous record high in 2019 of $287 million. Coming out of a strong year in 2020, the United States appears to be well-positioned for an even stronger 2021. At the current pace, there is a strong possibility of a record-breaking year for U.S. agricultural exports surpassing the 2014 mark of $154.5 billion. Not only are year-to-date exports up across product groups, they are also up across nearly all major U.S. partners. This diversity of potential markets is a source of strength and stability and is an indicator of high overall competitiveness of U.S. products in 2021. As income worldwide increases and more customers emerge, U.S. farmers, ranchers, and those employed in the industries driving agricultural trade should expect a large part of global demand to be met by the United States, fulfilling its role as one of the world’s largest suppliers of food and agricultural products.
Source: USDA Foreign Agricultural Service
Russia may be interested in diversifying import supplies as its political conflict with the United States and the European Union has been escalating recently. The country's dairy industry heavily depends on foreign genetic and breeding materials.
Source: Dairy Global
On April 5, 2021, the first U.S. commercial beef cattle embryo shipment (valued at $28,000) arrived in the Philippines. Juliana's Cattle Farm, owned by Mr. Rolando Lagaya and located in Batangas, purchased 93 straws to improve their herd genetics and increase beef production. The sale resulted from efforts by USLGE with USDA Market Access Program funding, including a reverse trade mission for Philippine buyers led by the Kansas Department of Agriculture. According to the trader that facilitated the transaction, they expect additional shipments of 100-200 straws of frozen beef embryos within the next 12 months. This sale follows USDA/APHIS finalizing a health protocol in May 2020 with the Philippine government for the importation of U.S. bovine embryos.
Source: USDA Foreign Agricultural Service