By Scout Nelson
Kansas Charolais breeders are getting an opportunity to build new international relationships as cattle producers look for ways to expand markets for U.S. livestock genetics.
The Kansas Department of Agriculture, working with the Missouri Department of Agriculture and American-International Charolais Association, recently hosted seven Canadian Charolais breeders as part of an inbound trade mission.
Held in October, the mission introduced the Canadian producers to U.S. Charolais breeding programs, genetic selection practices and new approaches being used to produce cattle suited to the evolving needs of the beef industry.
For Kansas cattle operations, the visit also created potential business opportunities. Canadian participants evaluated genetics and breeding programs and began follow-up discussions involving possible purchases of live cattle and semen.
Kansas Cattle Operations Open Their Gates
After beginning the trip with ranch visits in Missouri, the Canadian delegation traveled to Kansas for an up-close look at several cattle and genetics operations.
Stops included Fink Beef Genetics in Randolph, Schrader Ranch in Wells, Cody Cattle Company in Scandia, T&S Strnad Charolais in Formoso, Sun Valley Embryo Transfer in Salina and NextGen Cattle Company in Paxico.
The visits gave Canadian breeders an opportunity to evaluate individual breeding programs and genetics while talking directly with the producers developing them.
“Kansas is proud of the quality of its Charolais genetics and the producers who continue to advance our beef industry,” Kansas Secretary of Agriculture Mike Beam said.
“Hosting international breeders allows us to showcase these strengths while building relationships that support future opportunities for Kansas agriculture.”
Livestock Genetics Create Export Opportunities
Unlike traditional livestock exports, international genetic sales can include semen and other breeding material in addition to live animals, providing seedstock operations with additional ways to reach customers beyond the U.S. market.
The Canadian visit was designed in part to develop those connections.
Discussions during the Kansas portion of the mission focused on opportunities to expand international markets for the state's cattle genetics. Canadian breeders explored available genetics and initiated conversations about potential purchases of both live cattle and semen.
Participants also exchanged knowledge about Charolais production and considered how U.S. genetics could add value within Canadian cattle operations.
The mission was made possible through the Kansas and Missouri agriculture departments' membership in U.S. Livestock Genetics Export, Inc., with funding provided through the USDA Market Access Program.
Connecting the North American Charolais Industry
The delegation also visited the American-International Charolais Association, where Executive Vice President Brett Spader discussed member programs, data collection and research within the breed.
The week concluded at the new American Royal grounds in Kansas City, Kansas, with the Junior Heifer Show and National Roll of Excellence Charolais Show.
That stop allowed the Canadian visitors to reconnect with Kansas and Missouri breeders while meeting additional Charolais industry representatives.
Those relationships could prove important long after the trade mission ends.
Bringing prospective international customers directly to Kansas farms gives breeders an opportunity to demonstrate their cattle, explain their genetic programs and establish relationships that can lead to future sales.
For the Kansas Department of Agriculture, missions such as this one are part of a broader effort to connect international buyers with U.S. seedstock operations and create long-term export opportunities for livestock producers.
The Canadian visit also demonstrated how genetics can serve as an agricultural export while strengthening ties between cattle producers on both sides of the U.S.-Canada border.
Photo Credit: getty-images-tunatura
Categories: Kansas, Livestock, Beef Cattle