As of July 16, China began importing U.S. beef for the first time in 14 years. This trade development could have a major impact on U.S. Holstein breeders.
China?s recent move to open its doors to U.S. beef exports has been met with much optimism by the cattle industry, and that includes the nation?s registered Holstein breeders. Industry figures show that nearly 20-percent of U.S. beef exports come from dairy cattle, and around 90-percent of dairy cattle harvested for beef are Holsteins.
Rich Rogers is Executive Director of Strategic Marketing and Business Development with Holstein Association USA. Rogers explains why trade with China means increased opportunity for beef, dairy products and registered Holstein genetics.
“I think it’s perfect timing, right now, for the U.S. dairy industry, specifically the Holstein breed that potentially has positioned us well for the opportunity, with beef, dairy products, genetics and a variety of expertise, to help China,” Rogers said.
Studies have shown that Holstein beef grades better than traditional beef breeds and has less trimmable fat?a fact unknown to many U.S. consumers.
“What they don’t realize is that a lot of the time they’re eating Holstein beef, they just don’t know it,” Rogers said.
Rogers adds that after the United States, China is the second-largest beef consuming country in the world, with 1.3 billion consumers?a $2.5 billion beef market.
