Looks like somebody wants Mexican cattle.

[Big Muddy rancher]

Superior Stampede & Mexico’s Largest Cattle Union Join Forces

(Visalia, Calif.) – Superior Stampede, a division of Superior Livestock Auction, recently entered into a joint venture with the Union Ganadera Regional De Chihuahua (UGRCH), the cattlemen’s union for the state of Chihuahua, Mexico. Under terms of the agreement, UGRCH will act as the “exclusive representative” for all cattle sold by Superior Stampede that enter the U.S. through Chihuahua ports of entry. The agreement will provide U.S. buyers with a consistent supply and improved delivery of Chihuahua cattle while improving online market accessibility for Chihuahua producers.

The state of Chihuahua is the largest cattle exporter to the U.S. in Mexico, averaging 400,000 head annually. According to Fernando Perez Pria, president of the Union, the partnership provides an opportunity to reach more of the U.S. market, including both small and large buyers who may not have tried Chihuahua cattle in their operations. As Superior Stampede’s sole Chihuahua cattle representative, the Union will provide assurance that cattle described are the cattle received, streamlining each transaction and overcoming market obstacles that existed previously.

“Our cattle have the genetic composition and climate adaptability to meet the high beef grading expectations of American feed yards. This agreement puts us one step closer to reaching more U.S. buyers,” said Perez Pria. “The Union’s well developed infrastructure combined with Superior Stampede’s solid enterprise and livestock marketing expertise, will ensure quality cattle and a smooth delivery for all parties involved. Three years from now and depending on market performance, this agreement could result in the sale of 120,000 to 150,000 head.”

Qualified representatives from UGRCH with extensive knowledge of the cattle business, industry standards and exportation procedures will be responsible for collecting data for each transaction. This includes coordination of photos, lot descriptions, paperwork, consignment fees and other information. This information is then delivered to UGRCH’s office where it is screened to ensure accuracy and feasibility of each delivery. Once the lot is approved by UGRCH, it is then reviewed and approved by Superior Stampede’s U.S. representative in El Paso, Texas, Canutillo Management, Inc. (CMI). The cattle are then listed on Stampede’s online auction. Once cattle are sold, UGRCH and CMI will arrange for delivery at one of three U.S. ports of entry from Chihuahua. These include Columbus and Santa Teresa in New Mexico, and Presidio, Texas.

“We are committed to using all of our resources to support UGRCH in this venture. We consider it an honor to be the marketing agency for the cattlemen of Chihuahua,” said Bill Freeman, general manager of Superior Stampede. “An accurately defined product combined with a consistent and dependable delivery system will bring premiums to both buyer and the seller. With the structure and people already in place, we will make it happen.”

According to Freeman, the goal is provide an exclusive “Mexican Cattle Auction” through daily online bidding and scheduled live auctions. In order to accommodate this venture, Superior Stampede has built a new, state-of-the-art Internet auction specifically for this partnership. It utilizes the latest Flash technology to allow for reliable real-time bidding and improved performance. Chihuahua cattle will be available online beginning in October.

[Kato]

I just got a flash of Paris Hilton trying to fit a Chihuahua cow into her purse.

[PORKER]

In a letter to Schafer earlier this month, Sen. Jon Tester (D-Mont.) raised the same concern that processors might choose the "cheapest and easiest option" giving consumers "the impression that there is no domestically born, raised and slaughtered livestock."

In the end, it may be consumers who dictate how the new labels are used. Some packers might actually be eager to claim the 100 percent American label because they believe there will be a premium paid for it.

[mrj]

Let CONSUMERS decide how they want their beef labeled.......and vote with their dollars????

What will they think of next!

Do you suppose the consumers will be satisfied with just a USA label? Or will they want to know HOW you raised the animal and HOW you handled it? And what, specifically did you FEED it? Some do say that is what they want to know, along with whether or not you do the work yourself or hire someone else to do it. Be careful what you wish for......or politically instigate!!!!

mrj

[burnt]

Something that has been gaining significant momentum here in Ontario is the demand for beef marketed under the "Ontario Corn-fed Beef" label.

The cattle that go into this market are produced only by those who are certified by meeting the requirements of this independently audited program that meets HACCP standards.

The ironic part is that while the demand is growing fairly quickly, there is a real danger of not being able to meet it on the supply end because of the number of feeders that are not putting replacements in this fall.

In any case, this seems to be a "labeling" approach that is driven by the customer and not a silly knee-jerk reaction by a bunch of protectionists.

This is not a poorly disguised attempt to hide a questionable, domestically produced product behind a flag. It is a program that benefits the local producers who are also footing the bill to pay for it.

Do I make myself clear?

[RobertMac]

[ranch hand]

[burnt]

[Sandhusker]

The USA label doesn't make it any safer per say, but if you're concerned about certain additives the US or any other country allows, it provides a quick and easy way to avoid eating product with those additives.

[PORKER]

David Robinson, agricultural commissioner for Merced County,CA believes the new labels will be a valuable piece of information for consumers.

But not everyone wanted the labels on produce. Robinson said some producers are worried that if the food comes from out of the country, no one will buy it. Some fruit and vegetables are brought into the country from overseas, then packed and distributed here in the United States.

"There's been a lot of discussion of this," Robinson said. "Some producers just flat didn't want it."

[Point Is]They don't want the risk of being the company that sold poisoned food. Carbadox----http://www.environmentalhealth.ca/summer01blow.html

[mrj]

China, having the type of govt it does, is having some trade and reliability issues which should make imports of all food and other products from that country subject to testing.

They do seem to be taking action to improve that situation........pretty harshly compared to our standards, in fact.

Porker, is pork tested, and are residues of Carbadox found in the tissue of animals that have been fed that additive? How prevalent is the use of it? What is the reason for feeding it? Is it like implants in beef....in that there is an increase of lean muscle compared with fat in the animal, as well as increased weight to sell?

ranch hand, guess you missed my point, that there are markets for beef raised under various conditions........and that the consumer will set the standards if given a chance.

It flat out costs more to raise and process the beef outside the traditional commodity beef methods in the USA. If that is what consumers want, at commodity prices, we cannot provide them with it without going broke.

COOL is an attempt to give them higher quality beef at commodity prices, harming people like RobertMac, PPRM, and the thousands of producers who sell a high quality prodct through various alliances and private label beef.

mrj

[PORKER]

Mrj, Every country that has tested for Carbadox has found the cancer product in pork because of the time ingested rate is slow and producers keep on using it after the 45 day limit of withdrawal. Canada ,Europe, and other countries have quit it. Its for parasite control. Are you eating Chinese powered milk products, or additivies? We Need a Strong COOL label law .Be Careful of What You Eat or DRINK !