Global Beef Update: Imports

Derrell S. Peel, Oklahoma State University Extension Livestock Marketing Specialist

 

The recent USDA Foreign Agricultural Service bulletin on Livestock and Poultry: World Markets and Trade provides a current summary of the major beef consuming and importing countries in the world.  Total global beef consumption is forecast to increase slightly in 2022 with increased consumption in China, Brazil, India, Mexico and Japan and decreased total beef consumption in the U.S., European Union (E.U.), Russia, the United Kingdom (U.K.), and Canada.  Total global beef imports are forecast to increase, representing about 17.5 percent of global beef consumption.  Beef imports are forecast to increase for the largest importers: China/Hong Kong (HK), U.S., Japan and South Korea along with the E.U.  Decreased beef imports are forecast for Chile and the U.K.

 

China/HK continues to grow as the largest beef importer in the world.  Data for China and Hong Kong are issued separately but are appropriately combined as the two are effectively a single market.  Beef imports into China/HK are forecast to increase in 2022 and account for over 35 percent of global beef imports.  China/HK has been the largest beef importing country since 2017.  Beef imports in China/HK have increased 130.7 percent in the five years from 2017 to the forecast level for 2022.  Beef imports in China/HK have increased more than ten-fold in the past decade.  U.S. beef accounted for nearly nine percent of China/HK beef imports in 2021.  China is the second largest beef consuming and is the third largest beef producing country in the world.

 

The U.S. is the second largest beef importing country.  China/HK exceeded the U.S. as the largest beef importer in 2017 and is expected to import 2.24 times more than the U.S. in 2022.  Prior to 2017, the U.S. was typically the largest beef importing country except for the years 2010-2012 when Russia was a slightly larger beef importer than the U.S.  The U.S. is the largest beef producing and consuming country.

 

Japan is the ninth largest beef consuming country but is the third largest beef importing country.  Japan has consistently been the third largest beef importer since 2015. Beef imports in Japan have been relatively steady in recent years, but down slightly from a 2019 peak.  South Korea is the fourth largest beef importing country in recent years with an average growth of two percent per year in the past five years.  For 2022, the largest importers including China/HK, U.S., Japan and South Korea are forecast to account for 65 percent of global beef imports.  Other significant beef importing countries include Chile, U.K., E.U., Egypt, Malaysia and the Philippines.  Collectively, these countries are forecast to account for another 19 percent of global beef imports in 2022.  Brazil, India and Argentina are major beef consuming countries but do not import beef.

 

Although global beef trade is summarized in terms of total quantities, it is important to recognize that beef consists of many different products and most beef exports and imports are specific products moving between specific destinations for specific uses.  Trade in beef products helps balance both the overall quantity of beef and the preferred mix of beef products in various markets.  Beef trade adds value for both exporters and importers and increases the total value of the global beef industry.

 

 

Heat Detection and Timing of Artificial Insemination

Mark Z. Johnson, Oklahoma State University Extension Beef Cattle Breeding Specialist

 

You have decided to use artificial insemination (AI) to breed your cows this spring.  You have planned your heat synchronization protocol, selected the AI sire and ordered the semen.  Now what?  First, we address the signs of standing heat in cows and heifers. These include:

 

1. Standing to be mounted by herd mates.  This is the “silver bullet” sign of standing heat. 
2. Mounting other cows
3. Clear mucus discharge from vulva
4. Swelling and reddening of the vulva
5. Bawling, trailing other cows and restlessness
6. Rubbed hair on tail head and dirty flanks (from being mounted by other cows)
7. Sniffing genitalia
8. Chin resting on other cows 
9. Head raised and lip curled
10. Decreased feed intake
11. Bloody discharge from vulva (usually occurs after standing heat has ended) 

 

The most limiting factor in AI programs is the proper detection in estrus or standing heat.  A sexually mature, non-pregnant heifer or cow will have a standing heat every 21 days (on average).  Heat synchronization protocols are designed to manipulate this process to make females come into standing heat on a schedule.  Standing heat is the time in her estrous cycle when a cow/heifer is receptive mounting activity by a bull or other herd mates.  Standing heat is the only external sign that cows are ovulating and should be bred (naturally or AI).  Standing heat typically last 12 – 18 hours.  Best heat detection practices include morning and evening (at 12 hour intervals) visual observation of standing heat.  In spring calving Oklahoma herds, the morning heat detection is most effective in the very early daylight hours before high daily temperatures may suppress mounting activity.   Applying bright colored paint or chalk to tail heads can be very helpful tool in heat detection. 

 

When to AI?

Male bovine sperm are typically fertile for 24-30 hours after insemination.  The cow typically ovulates 24 – 32 hours after the onset of standing heat and the ova (egg ovulated by cow) has a fertile life of eight – 10 hours.  To get the needed overlap for conception, the best rule of thumb for AI breeding is to inseminate 12 hours after first observing the cow in standing heat.  Furthermore, if/when cows are still standing after the first AI breeding, follow up again with another AI service 12 hours later.   If using sexed semen and breeding off of observed standing heat, it is best to wait another four – six hours to AI for best conception rates.

 

Reference: Chapter 32, Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service Beef Cattle Manual, Eight Edition

 

 

Implanting Nursing Calves

Paul Beck, Oklahoma State University Extension Beef Nutrition Specialist

 

Implanting preweaning is one of the most cost-effective ways to increase production for the cow calf producer. Implants are typically administered when the calves are between two months and four months of age. Research shows that implants given during the suckling phase will increase average daily gain of steer calves by approximately 0.10 pound per day. The increase in gains by implanting heifers is slightly better at 0.12 pounds per day. Implanting heifer calves at birth decreases pregnancy rate of replacement heifers by 30 to 50%, but implanting heifers between 1 and 3 months of age does not affect pregnancy rate later in life.

 

Most calf implants are designed to last 120 days. Calves should be 30 days to 45 days old before they are implanted, refer to manufactures label for approved timing. Bull calves intended for breeding should not be implanted. Bull calves not intended for breeding should be castrated at the time of implanting because implants impact scrotal development, which makes later castration more difficult.

 

Many producers follow the practice of leaving bull calves intact until weaning rather than castrating them at an early age. Jokingly known as the “Oklahoma Implant” in other beef producing areas, the idea is that natural hormones produced in the testicles increases ADG and weaning weight of the calves. Numerous research trials have shown that implanted steer calves gain weight faster and wean heavier than bull calves. This is because bull calves have very little testosterone production until they reach puberty at a much later age than normal weaning.

 

The stress of castration at weaning reduces post-weaning gain potential and the calf’s ability to withstand diseases typically associated with weaning and marketing. This difference in post-weaning performance of bulls versus steers is recognized by cattle buyers, as indicated by the $5 to $10 per cwt premium for steers over intact bull calves. Producers wanting to maximize the value of male calves at weaning should consider early castration at birth or at two months to four months of age and use an implant approved for nursing calves.

 

Implanting your calves before weaning is cost effective and will increase weaning weights of both steers and heifers with very little impact on reproduction rates of replacement heifers. There are several products labeled for use in pre-weaned calves, using the right product at the right time can provide returns of $25 to 30 for each dollar invested in implants, this will help pay for increases production costs we are facing this year.