Good News - U.S. Beef Returns to Taiwan

Just about everyone deeply involved in production agriculture agrees expanding access to international markets is absolutely essential to maintaining profitability and continuing domestic food production. That is why it was such good news to see the story in CattleNetwork reporting the return of U.S. bone-in-beef to Taiwan.

In fact, the five-star Sherwood Taipei Hotel is reported to use only U.S. beef in its signature restaurant. I know my fellow Texas cattlemen must be pleased to see the work being done by the Texas Beef Council, the Beef Checkoff and USDA Market Access Program funds. Now, for the sake of domestic food independence, let's hope consumers around the world continue to demand Texas beef!

Taiwan expands access to U.S. beef imports

More good news for Texas ranchers as USDA and the offices of the U.S. Trade Representative announced yesterday that Taiwan has expanded the type of beef cuts it will now import from the United States. I’ve always said our trade policies must be science-based and this is a step in the right direction, especially coming off the heels of Taipei Mayor Hau Lung-bin’s effort last week to try to convince the Taiwanese government to reconsider its decision to expand access to U.S. beef imports.

Contrary to what Mayor Lung-bin and a consumer group in Taiwan think, the U.S. does not want to dump its trash in Taiwan. The beef products we will offer Taiwan are the same ones that are offered and demanded by U.S. consumers.

The Taiwanese government deserves a sincere “thank you” for recognizing that trade decisions should be based not only on science, but also on demand. The promising demand in Taiwan will result in increased prices for U.S. cattle producers who, along with other agriculture producers, have been suffering extensively this past year.

To read USDA’s press release on this announcement, click here.

FSA offers guaranteed loans

There’s no doubt the turbulent economy has impacted all business sectors, and the agriculture industry is no exception. Like most lenders these days, those who work with Texas farmers and ranchers also are limited in their ability to offer financing. Fortunately, there’s another option for the agriculture community.

USDA has a lending assistance program that gives both lenders and farmers a chance to acquire security in borrowing money. The Farm Service Agency (FSA), a branch of USDA, is offering farm loan guarantees that are beneficial for farmers and ranchers who do not qualify for loans in their communities due to minimal cash flow, limited experience or minimal equity.

It’s a win for both the lenders and producers. Lending institutions will have security in issuing these loans to farmers and ranchers, and producers will get the funds they need to continue farming and ranching operations that are critical to the food and fiber supply of all Texans.

Starting this month, FSA is holding workshops for lenders to learn more about the Guaranteed Loan Program. These sessions will offer pertinent information for lenders to implement these loans in their institutions, so make sure to tell your lender about them. There are four more information sessions this year:

August 23 – 24, Mesquite, TX
November 17 – 18, Lubbock, TX
October 6 -7, College Station, TX
December 8 - 9, College Station, TX

For more information, contact your local Farm Service Agency county office here.

Listening session on Animal ID System held in Austin

Let your voice be heard! In Austin, on Wednesday, May 20, USDA will host a listening session to gather public opinion on the future of animal identification and traceability in the United States.

The animal ID system is designed to enable producers and animal health officials to respond quickly to disease outbreaks. The system is created to pinpoint the source of disease within 48 hours, contain its spread and track infected animals. Read more about it here.

According to U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, even after a five-year effort to create the animal identification system, many producers are still uneasy with the program because of additional costs related to the new system and what they believe is government infringement on their operations.

Keep in mind, USDA could act on this issue very soon, so don’t miss the chance to voice your thoughts. The session runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. this Wednesday at the Embassy Suites Hotel, located at 5901 N IH-35, in Ballrooms C, D, and E. For more information on the public feedback sessions, click here.

Agriculture: The Foundation of Life for all

As we think about the role agriculture plays in our state and nation, we should keep in mind agriculture is not just a way of life for farmers and ranchers, it is the foundation of life for all.

Texas and American farmers and ranchers produce the safest, most abundant and most affordable food supply in the world. Want proof?

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, citizens in the United States on average only spend 7 percent of their consumer dollar on food. This compares to the United Kingdom at 9 percent, Mexico at 24 percent, India at 32 percent and China at 35 percent. Be sure to let your federal officials know this as they contemplate making changes to the safety net for American farmers and ranchers that could result in catastrophic changes to our affordable food supply.

USDA Gives $4.9 Million to Help Fight Fever Ticks in Texas

Today was an important day for Texas agriculture, as well as for the entire United States cattle industry.

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Ed Schafer traveled to Laredo with a letter confirming that $4.9 million will to go toward the cattle fever tick eradication efforts in South Texas. Lone Star State cattlemen are on the front line of defense of the fever tick battle zone, and we're excited this additional funding will help them combat the problem.



Fever ticks are capable of carrying and transmitting a parasite that destroys red blood cells in cattle, causing “cattle tick fever,” which can kill up to 90 percent of infected cattle. Failure to eradicate the pests in South Texas could lead to devastation across the country.

Many more hurdles remain in eradicating the fever tick, but progress like the money from USDA makes me optimistic about the future.



We appreciate U.S. Congressman Henry Cuellar along with State Representatives Sid Miller and Ryan Guillen for joining us at today’s announcement and showing their leadership and support.

Deadline Extended for USDA's SURE Program for 2009

I am pleased to announce to our Texas producers that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has just made some important adjustments to their implementation of disaster program provisions of the 2008 Farm Bill. The changes allow eligible producers with certain crops such as citrus to buy into the Supplemental Revenue Assistance (SURE) Program for the 2009 year.

The SURE Program will provide benefits to producers whose crops are damaged by natural disasters. To be eligible, producers had to have previously purchased crop insurance or will need to utilize this one-time buy-in provision.

I contacted USDA after hearing concerns from Texas farmers who were unable to participate in SURE as the sign-up period for the required crop insurance had already passed. I urged USDA to extend the deadline so these farmers could become eligible for the program.

Eligible Texas producers now have until Jan. 12, 2009 to visit their local Farm Service Agency and buy into the SURE Program with respect to certain 2009 crops. Eligibility for this buy-in opportunity is based on whether the crop insurance closing date for their 2009 crop was before the passage of the 2008 Farm Bill.

I urge all Texas producers to find out if they are eligible to receive assistance through SURE. The program will no doubt offer assurance to our local producers and economy in times of potential disaster.

Click HERE for more information on the program