Page 18 - MWC 04-22-2021s

UPDATE ON BEEF The Midwest Cattleman · April 22, 2021 · P18
continued from page 6
nized for a number of years to Hong Kong; compared to ed in a 24.7 percent year over to Canada are down 7.5 per-
that some of the exports to 2016 when 100 percent of the year decrease in beef exports cent year over year and the
Hong Kong were ultimately exports were to Hong Kong. in 2020. As recently as 2019, country has an 8.9 percent
transshipped into China. It In the first two months of Mexico was the number two share of total exports thus
was expected that, as exports 2021, the China portion of beef export market with a 14 far in the year.
to China began to grow, some the China/HK market is up percent market share. Re- Beef exports to Taiwan
of the increase would likely 998 percent year over year covery of beef exports to Mex- have increased an average of
offset decreased exports to while Hong Kong is down ico is likely to be slow with 13.5 percent annually since
Hong Kong. 18.3 percent with the China limited chances for improve- 2016, increasing the coun-
Exports to China began portion making up 67 per- ment in 2021. try’s market share to 6.7
at a very slow pace following cent of the two-month total. Beef exports to Canada percent in 2020 (Figure 1).
access in 2017. Only in 2020 Total exports to China/HK in have decreased an average of However, total beef exports
did beef exports to China January and February 2021 2.3 percent annually in the to Taiwan were essentially
jump sharply and, as expect- are up 115 percent year over last five years dropping the unchanged in 2020 compared
ed, exports to Hong Kong year. country to the number five to the previous year and are
have decreased. The mar- Mexico is currently the beef export market currently. down 23.8 percent in the first
ket share of beef exports to third largest U.S. beef export The market share of beef ex- two months of 2021.
China/HK was 11.5 percent market. Mexico’s economy ports to Canada has declined
in 2020; the same as in 2016. has taken a serious hit since from 12 percent to less than
However, in 2020, the total the last federal election and, 10 percent (Figure 1) from
included 35 percent exports combined with the pandemic 2016 to 2020. In the first two
to China with the balance impacts the past year, result- months of 2021, beef exports

TAKING THE BULL fighting and riding during tion. They are a relatively possible. No ergot can be tol-
continued from page 7 the breeding season. small group but can take up erated at this time, so inspect
Young bulls can be very ac- a lot of space. The tendency any grain screenings closely
tention as he begins his tive and will exercise them- is to run all bulls together before feeding (look for dark
breeding career in order to selves if the bull pasture is of and hope that they won’t do purple to black spots).
assure that he will settle as adequate area (about 2 acres/ much damage to the facilities A mineral and vitamin
many females as promptly bull). Long, narrow paddocks or each other. But nutrition- mix should be offered that
as possible during his first may also be used. It is a good al needs vary due to age and contains adequate calcium,
working summer. You prob- idea to locate supplemen- condition, so if young and old phosphorus, and vitamin A. A
ably should not immediately tal feeding areas and water bulls are run together some standard mineral mix would
turn him out with the cows. sources as far as possible bulls may not get the nutri- be 40% dicalcium phosphate,
Exercise and Facilities: apart to further encourage tion they need, and others 20% limestone, 30% trace
The ideal condition for the walking activity. The pasture may get too much. mineral salt, and 10% se-
young bull at the start of the or paddock should be a nat- Yearling bulls on perfor- lenium 90 (mg/lb) premix.
breeding season is thrifty but ural surface. The worst sur- mance tests have usually Quality green forages should
not fat, hard and trim but face is a mud-and-manure been on high energy diets. provide enough vitamin A. If
not thin. He should be like lot outside the barn, with its These bulls need to be “let forages are weathered and/or
a football player in mid-sea- many possibilities for hoof in- down” from the time they of low quality, an intramus-
son. Bulls that are physically juries. It is important to have are purchased until they are cular injection of 3 million
fit when they are turned out a well-drained surface to get turned out with cows. A mis- IU of vitamin A is advisable.
will breed more cows because young bull’s hooves hardened take made occasionally is to A vitamin A injection might
they will retain a higher level and accustomed to walking. turn the bulls that have been also be considered with corn
of libido longer. Exercise Nutrition: Bulls are a on a high grain ration out on silage-based diets.
prior to the breeding season troublesome group of cat- very lush pasture or place Pasture: The young bull
will also reduce injuries from tle to provide proper nutri- them on straight high-quali- should be acclimated to graz-
ty alfalfa hay. This can lead ing pasture for 7-10 days
to digestive upsets or imbal- prior to the date he will be
ances, thus leading to poten- turned onto pasture with
"I REALLY APPRECIATE THE HANDS ON tial reproductive problems. his cows, if possible. Sever-
LEARNING YOU PROVIDE - I WAS ABLE Research shows that it takes al days are required for the
60 days for sperm develop- rumen microflora to fully ad-
TO BE PRETTY CONFIDENT IN CALLING ment. just from harvested feeds to
PREG. AND OPEN COWS TODAY." The gain for yearling bulls fresh spring grass. This tran-
Hal Ryan prior to the breeding season sitional stress should be ac-
Fairgrove , MO should be about 2 pounds complished prior to turning
per day. This would require a him into the herd.
diet containing 10-11% pro-
tein and 60-70% TDN (dry
matter basis) which could
be supplied by 6-10 lbs. of
Learn to pregnancy check your own cows. Complete hands on grain per day and full feed
course designed to teach you the fundamentals of preg checking. of medium quality hay. Any
Call us today or visit our website for complete details. hay fed should be free from
(573) 208-8125 • www.circle5cowschool.com molds and green in color, if