With cattle prices well off of last year’s record highs producers are looking to increased trade to boost the cattle market.  Last week Colombia removed BSE related restrictions on certain bone-in beef cuts, which fully opens their market to U.S. beef.  Iowa Cattlemen’s Association President Dr. Phil  Reemtsma says that’ a major win for U.S. cattle producers and comes at a good time, with lower beef exports and the correction in cattle prices.

 

He says another key to enhancing beef trade is for Congress to ratify the Trans Pacific Partnership agreement.

 

Reemtsma says it’s important the TPP get ratified because it will lead to additional beef market openings in other countries that aren’t necessarily part of that deal.

 

U.S beef exports to Colombia reached about $14.5 million in 2014 but trended lower in 2015. One of the major benefits of the Colombian market opening is it will lower production costs because export verification program requirements are no longer in place.