102 NEBRASKA CATTLEMAN February 2026 WINTER CAN BE UNPLEASANT GRINDING DOESN’T HAVE TO BE WITH SIXTEEN MODELS AVAILABLE MIGHTY GIANT CAN MEET YOUR NEEDS! TRUCKMOUNT TRAILERMOUNT STATIONARY GRAIN www.mightygiant.com 402-528-3861 to China is costing the U.S. industry more than $150 per head of fed slaughter. This represents not only the direct loss of export sales in China, but also the premium that is lost when cuts are exported to Korea, Japan, Taiwan, etc., without competing bids from Chinese buyers. For the U.S. industry to maximize the value of every beef cut shipped to Asia, we need China back in the mix. The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has launched an investigation into China’s implementation of the Phase One Agreement. USMEF’s comments to USTR in this proceeding are available by scanning the QR code. MAINTAINING ACCESS TO MEXICO AND CANADA A PRIORITY USTR is also examining the operation of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), the successor agreement to NAFTA that was also approved during the first Trump administration. USMCA is due for a joint review in July, so all three countries are gathering information from stakeholders about how USMCA has impacted their businesses and industries. Through NAFTA and USMCA, U.S. beef has had duty-free access to the Mexican and Canadian markets, both of which are top-five destinations for U.S. beef exports. Mexico, in fact, is the No. 1 volume market for U.S. beef variety meats, which are critical for maximizing that value of every animal. Variety meat items popular in Mexico include tripe, lips, stomachs, intestines and livers – products that attract very little interest from U.S. consumers. Mexico is also an important destination for beef cuts that are underutilized in the domestic U.S. market – especially cuts from the round. Maintaining duty-free access for these cuts is more important than ever because the Mexican market is attracting more competition, especially from Brazil. While Mexico and Brazil do not have a free trade agreement, Brazilian beef enjoys zero-duty access to Mexico under an anti-inflation decree adopted a few years ago, which has been extended through 2026. While Canada is not a high-profile destination for U.S. beef, exports to Canada totaled nearly $900 million in 2024 and will achieve similar results when 2025 data is available. Canada is our No. 1 export market for processed beef products – value-added items that deliver important returns to the U.S. industry. The USMCA review is also an extremely important proceeding for the U.S. pork industry, as Mexico is by far the leading destination for U.S. pork exports. Pork exports to Mexico reached a record $2.6 billion in 2024 and will surpass that total in 2025. Canada is also a critical market, with pork exports to Canada topping $800 million in each of the past six years. So whether or not you produce hogs, the North American appetite for U.S. pork is a huge boost for Nebraska agriculture, and the importance of maintaining access through USMCA cannot be overstated. USMEF’s comments to USTR for the USMCA review are available by scanning the QR code. ~NC~ Editor’s Note: Dave Bruntz and his family feed cattle, and raise corn and soybeans near Friend. He is currently USMEF chair-elect, and his term as chair will begin in November 2026. USMEF CONTINUED FROM PAGE 100 To advertise in Nebraska Cattleman, contact sales representative Amber Coleman acoleman@necattlemen.org
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