Brazilian company JBS dominates world beef industry from farm to fork

The founder, who began by slaughtering one or two head a day in 1953, raises calves far in the countryside. Six of his children are in JBS’s management. And ranchers such as Edson Crochiquia, who is 69 but rounds up cattle on horseback near here, spare no detail to provide the company with healthy, 1,000-pound animals.

Even a decade ago, JBS was still mainly focused on selling in Brazil. But by acquiring American giants such as Swift and Pilgrim’s Pride, JBS grew from a $1 billion private company into a $40 billion behemoth that slaughters 90,000 head of cattle a day, employs 125,000 workers and exports to 150 countries.

JBS is now the world’s biggest provider of meat, its footprint felt by feedlots, packing plants and chicken processors from Argentina to Italy to the American Midwest.

In Brazil, it is not uncommon to find banks, steel mills and other companies that evolved from family businesses into global giants. But JBS stands out, using an alliance with Brazil’s development bank and an aggressive acquisition strategy to become a vital pillar of the country’s efforts to project its economic power abroad.

To Wesley Batista, JBS’s 40-year-old chief executive and the founder’s fourth child, the company is still run “a simple way,” using a management model without “a lot of layers, not a lot of fancy things, not a lot of time spent on PowerPoint presentations.”

Haku Mo’olelo – The Maui News

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By EDWIN TANJI, For The Maui News

POSTED: September 11, 2009

Sonny Kaniho was a Native Hawaiian. He was also a loyal citizen of the United States, an Air Force veteran, a Pearl Harbor shipworker.

As a Native Hawaiian, he recognized injustices perpetrated on Native Hawaiians. As an American, he believed the government could be pushed into reversing the injustices. He knew it would take effort and it would take time. He committed himself to the effort. It’s taken more time than he had, but the injustices he strived to correct had been in place for most of the century.

His effort also was mostly personal but it ran parallel with and enhanced other efforts by many groups to revitalize Hawaiian culture and restore Hawaiian rights. In the 1970s, efforts at restoring Hawaii as a place reflecting its indigenous people included the Aboriginal Lands of Hawaii Association, Hawaiian musicians, kumu hula, the Polynesian Voyaging Society, the Protect Kahoolawe Ohana, and Dr. Terry Shintani, who established the nutritional value of the Hawaiian Diet.

Kaniho’s effort gave a synergistic boost to the 1978 debate that led to formulation of Article XII of the Hawaii Constitution – the Hawaiian Affairs section mandating state funding for Hawaiian Home Lands and establishing the Office of Hawaiian Affairs.

Sonny Kaniho was an unlikely protester who conducted unlikely protests, a soft-spoken man engaging in nonviolent acts of civil disobedience in the spirit of Mahatma Gandhi and the Rev. Martin Luther King. His peaceful protests were not angry confrontations. They were designed to draw public attention to what he viewed to be unjust decisions of the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands.

The department didn’t agree, but it based its actions on 50 years of inertia. Kaniho knew the excuses. He didn’t accept them.

HAWAII MONTHLY LIVESTOCK REVIEW

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CLICK HERE for Livestock Report
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————————————————————-
Contact Information:
Mark E. Hudson, Director
USDA NASS Hawaii Field Office
1421 South King Street
Honolulu, HI 96814-2512

Office: (808) 973-9588 / (800) 804-9514
Fax: (808) 973-2909
————————————————————-

   I own this pasture, bother you?
“HAWAII MONTHLY LIVESTOCK REVIEW” reports are available on our website http://www.nass.usda.gov/hi/ and also PRINTED monthly. Subscriptions for PRINTED copies are free to those persons who report agricultural data to NASS (upon request) and available for $4 per year to all others.

Hawaii Monthly Livestock Review Partial Summary

June Egg Production Down 5 Percent
From A Year Ago

Hawaii egg production totaled 5.70 million (15,833 cases) in June 2009, down 5 percent from June 2008 due to a 3 percent decline in layers on hand and a 2 percent reduction in the rate of lay per 1,000 layers.

Cumulative egg production for the first half of 2009 totaled 34.80 million, down 7 percent from the same period a year ago.

Cattle Marketings Increased 3 Percent In June

Cattle marketings (sum of exports and local slaughter) totaled 3,900 head for June 2009, up 3 percent from May’s revised total of 3,800 head. Exports accounted for 77 percent of June’s total marketings with steers making up 53 percent of the exported cattle. Local slaughter totaled 900 head killed in June 2009, unchanged from May.

Cumulative cattle marketings for the first half of 2009 totaled 23,600 head, down 20 percent compared to the first six months of last year. Cattle exports were down 24 percent so far this year compared to last year while local slaughter was down 2 percent from a year ago.

Hawaii Monthly Livestock Review

Here is the PDF file for the *Hawaii Monthly Livestock Review *Report.

lvstk100207.pdf

Please visit the website for more information: http://www.nass.usda.gov/hi/

————————————————————-
Contact Information:
Mark E. Hudson, Director
USDA NASS Hawaii Field Office
1421 South King Street
Honolulu, HI 96814-2512

Office: (808) 973-9588 / (800) 804-9514
Fax: (808) 973-2909
————————————————————-

HAWAII MONTHLY LIVESTOCK REVIEW” reports are available on our website and also PRINTED monthly. Subscriptions for PRINTED copies are free to those persons who report agricultural data to NASS (upon request) and available for $4 per year to all others.

Hawaii Monthly Livestock Review

August Egg Production Down 17 Percent From A Year Ago
Hawaii egg production totaled 6.8 million (18,889 cases) in August 2007, down 17 percent from August 2006. The average number of layers on hand during August 2007 was estimated at 368,000, down fractionally from July 2007 and down 14 percent from August 2006. The average rate of lay during August 2007 was 1,848 per 100 layers (59.6 percent rate of lay), down 3 percent from August 2006.

August Cattle Marketings Up 12 Percent From 2006
Total cattle marketings for August 2007 is estimated at 3,800 head, up 12 percent from August 2006. Cumulative cattle marketings for the first eight months of 2007 totaled 35,500 head, down 2 percent from the same period a year ago.

August exports up 13 percent from a year ago
Exports of steers and heifers totaled 2,700 head in August 2007, up 13 percent from a year ago. Exports of steers totaled 1,100 head during August 2007, down 31 percent compared to a year ago. Total export of heifers increased in August 2007 to 1,600 head, double the amount of heifers exported a year ago. Cumulative exports of steers and heifers through August 2007 totaled 28,100 head, down 3 percent from the same period a year ago. Cumulative exports of steers for 2007 stands at 15,800 head, down 8 percent from 2006. Exports of heifers were 2 percent ahead of a year ago for the first seven months of 2007 at 12,200 head. Exports of other classes of cattle were not included.

Average live weight tops 430 pounds
The average live weight of steers and heifers exported from Hawaii in August 2007 was 433 pounds, up 4 percent from August 2006?s average live weight of 418 pounds.

Commercial Beef Production Down Fractionally From Year Ago
Hawaii commercial beef production (local slaughter) during August 2007 totaled 609,000 pounds, down fractionally from August 2006. Cumulative beef production (local slaughter) through August 2007 totaled 4.3 million pounds, up 4 percent from a year ago. Commercial kill totaled 1,100 head in August, up 10 percent from August 2006. Average live weight per head was 1,045 pounds in August 2007, down 6 percent from the average live weight per head in August 2006.

Commercial Pork Production Down 11 Percent
Hawaii commercial pork production during August 2007 totaled 298,000 pounds, down 11 percent from August 2006. Cumulative pork production for the first eight months of 2007 totaled 2.3 million pounds, down 10 percent from a year ago. Total hog kill was 1,900 head in August 2007, down 5 percent from a year ago. Average live weight per head was 209 pounds in August 2007, down 7 percent from the 224-pound average a year ago.

Milk Cows and Milk Production

August Milk Production Down 48 Percent From Year Ago
Hawaii?s dairy cows produced 2.5 million pounds of milk in August 2007, down 48 percent from a year ago. Cumulative milk production for the first eight months of 2007 totaled 26.8 million pounds, down 33 percent from the same period in 2006.

August?s Cow Herd Down 36 Percent From Year Ago
Hawaii?s cow herd, both dry and milking, numbered 2,700 head in August 2007, unchanged from July 2007 but down 36 percent from August 2006.

Milk Per Cow Decreases
Average milk per cow is estimated at 940 pounds for August 2007, down 18 percent from last August?s average of 1,145 pounds per cow.

Average Farm Prices

Livestock Farm Prices Generally Higher Than Year-ago Averages

Steers and heifers
The average dress weight farm price for steers and heifers is estimated at $1.00 per pound for August 2007, up half-a-cent from July and a penny per pound higher than a year ago.

Cows
The average dress weight farm price for cows is estimated at 54.0 cents per pound in August 2007, down a penny from July. The August average dress weight farm was identical to that of a year ago.

Market hogs

The average dress weight farm price for market hogs is estimated at $1.25 per pound for August 2007, unchanged from July 2007. Compared to a year ago, the dressed weight for market hogs was down 4.5 cents per pound this August.

Milk
The average farm price for milk was $29.90 per hundredweight during August 2007, unchanged from July 2007. Compared to a year ago, the August 2007 average farm price for milk was $3.50 per hundredweight higher.

Eggs
The average farm price for a dozen eggs was 98.0 cents in August 2007, down 7.0 cents from July 2007. Compared to a year ago, the average farm price for a dozen eggs was up 4.50 cents in August 2007.

Commercial red meat production for the United States totaled 4.33 billion pounds in August, up 2 percent from the 4.26 billion pounds produced in August 2006.

Beef production, at 2.45 billion pounds, was slightly above the previous year. Cattle slaughter totaled 3.13 million head, down slightly from August 2006. The average live weight was up 3 pounds from the previous year, at 1,279 pounds.

Veal production totaled 10.3 million pounds, 20 percent below August a year ago. Calf slaughter totaled 65,400 head, down 2 percent from August 2006. The average live weight was down 54 pounds from last year, at 268 pounds.

Pork production totaled 1.85 billion pounds, up 4 percent from the previous year. Hog kill totaled 9.39 million head, up 3 percent from August 2006. The average live weight was up 1 pound from the previous year, at 263 pounds.

Lamb and mutton production, at 14.7 million pounds, was up 1 percent from August 2006. Sheep slaughter totaled 227,500 head, slightly above last year. The average live weight was 129 pounds, unchanged from August a year ago.

U.S. egg production totaled 7.57 billion during August 2007, down 1 percent from last year. Production included 6.44 billion table eggs, and 1.13 billion hatching eggs, of which 1.07 billion were broiler-type and 65 million were egg-type. The total number of layers during August 2007 averaged 339 million, down 1 percent from last year. August egg production per 100 layers was 2,229 eggs, down slightly from August 2006.

All layers in the U.S. on September 1, 2007 totaled 339 million, down 1 percent from last year. The 339 million layers consisted of 281 million layers producing table or market type eggs, 55.9 million layers producing broilertype hatching eggs, and 2.73 million layers producing egg-type hatching eggs. Rate of lay per day on September 1, 2007, averaged 71.7 eggs per 100 layers, down 1 percent from September 1, 2006.

Excerpts from Livestock Slaughter (September 21, 2007) and Chickens and Eggs (September 21, 2007) releases.

Beef/cattle: Weather is still the dominant feature in the cattle/beef industry landscape. Some precipitation fell in the Southwest, Southeast, and Corn Belt, providing some relief for grain and hay crops and pastures. However, hay and other supplemental feeding continues in these areas, and beef cows continue to be sold as a result.

Pork/hogs: The fourth quarter pork export forecast was raised by 60 million pounds, following an announcement by a major U.S. packer of a sales agreement with China, to take place by December 2007. Total U.S. pork exports in 2007 are expected to be 2.97 billion pounds, about 0.8 percent lower than in 2006. U.S. pork exports next year are expected to be almost 3.1 billion pounds, or 3.8 percent above 2007. July 2007 exports to China and Hong Kong, combined, offset year-over-year declines in shipments to major U.S. foreign pork markets. Second-half production is expected to be about 11.1 billion pounds, about 3.4 percent above a year earlier, with live equivalent prices of 51-52 percent lean hogs expected to average between $50 and $51 per cwt in the third quarter, and $45 and $47 per hundredweight (cwt) in the fourth quarter. Commercial pork production next year is expected to be about 22.1 billion pounds, about 100 million pounds larger than forecast last month. The increased production forecast largely reflects revised expectations for U.S. swine imports from Canada, both in the second half of 2007 and in 2008.

Dairy: Domestic demand for dairy products, especially cheese, combined with global demand and tight world supplies, will keep milk and dairy product prices high this year and next. The upturn in milk production will moderate 2008 prices somewhat compared with 2007.

Poultry: Broiler meat production continues to slowly expand. The slow expansion and strengthening exports have allowed prices for most broiler products to remain considerably higher than in the previous year. The generally higher prices are expected to continue through the second half of 2007 and into 2008. Although turkey production and stocks of whole birds have been above a year earlier, prices for whole turkeys are expected to remain higher than the previous year through the third quarter. With a small laying flock and a strong export market, egg prices are expected to range from $1.14 to $1.15 per dozen at the wholesale level in the third quarter and to continue higher than the previous year in the fourth quarter.

HAWAII MONTHLY LIVESTOCK REVIEW

Here is the PDF file for the Hawaii Monthly Livestock Review Report.

lvstk091307.pdf

Please visit the website for more information: http://www.nass.usda.gov/hi/

————————————————————-
Contact Information:
Mark E. Hudson, Director
USDA NASS Hawaii Field Office
1421 South King Street
Honolulu, HI 96814-2512

Office: (808) 973-9588 / (800) 804-9514
Fax: (808) 973-2909
————————————————————-

HAWAII MONTHLY LIVESTOCK REVIEW” reports are available on our website and also PRINTED monthly. Subscriptions for PRINTED copies are free to those persons who report agricultural data to NASS (upon request) and available for $4 per year to all others.

Hawaii Monthly Livestock Review

National Agricultural Statistics Service

September 13, 2007

In Cooperation with the Hawaii Department of Agriculture
Hawaii Field Office ? 1428 South King Street ? Honolulu, HI 96814-2512 ? 1-(800)-804-9514 ? www.nass.usda.gov

July Egg Production Down 19 Percent From A Year Ago
Hawaii egg production totaled 7.0 million (19,444 cases) in July 2007, down 19 percent from July 2006. The average number of layers on hand during July 2007 was estimated at 369,000, up fractionally from June 2007 and down 16 percent from July 2006. The average rate of lay during July 2007 was 1,897 per 100 layers (61.2 percent rate of lay), down 3 percent from July 2006.

Total Cattle Marketings and Exports

Cattle Marketings Up 31 Percent From 2006
Total cattle marketings for July 2007 is estimated at 3,800 head, up 31 percent from July 2006. Cumulative cattle marketings for the first seven months of 2007 totaled 31,700 head, down 3 percent from the same period a year ago.

Exports up 40 percent in July compared to year ago
Exports of steers and heifers totaled 2,800 head in July 2007, up 40 percent from a year ago. Exports of steers totaled 1,400 head during July 2007, up 17 percent compared to a year ago. Total export of heifers also increased in July 2007 compared to a year ago at 1,400 head, a 75 percent increase. Cumulative exports of steers and heifers through July 2007 totaled 25,300 head, down 5 percent from the same period a year ago. Cumulative exports of steers for 2007 stands at 14,700 head, down 5 percent from 2006. Exports of heifers were also down 5 percent for the first seven months of 2007 at 10,600 head. Exports of other classes of cattle were not included.

Average live weight up 2 percent
The average live weight of steers and heifers exported from Hawaii in July 2007 was 428 pounds, up 2 percent from July 2006?s average live weight of 420 pounds.

Cattle and Hogs Commercial Slaughter

Commercial Beef Production Down 4 Percent
Hawaii commercial beef production (local slaughter) during July 2007 totaled 516,000 pounds, down 4 percent from July 2006. Cumulative beef production (local slaughter) through July 2007 totaled 3.7 million pounds, up 5 percent from a year ago. Commercial kill totaled 900 head in July, unchanged from July 2006. Average live weight per head was 1,023 pounds in July 2007, down 4 percent from the average live weight per head in July 2006. Commercial Pork Production Down 10 Percent
Hawaii commercial pork production during July 2007 totaled 291,000 pounds, down 10 percent from July 2006. Cumulative pork production for the first seven months of 2007 totaled 2.0 million pounds, down 10 percent from a year ago. Total hog kill was 1,800 head in July 2007, down 5 percent from a year ago. Average live weight per head was 211 pounds in July 2007, down 9 percent from the 232-pound average a year ago.

Milk Cows and Milk Production

July Milk Production Down 48 Percent From Year Ago
Hawaii?s dairy cows produced 2.6 million pounds of milk in July 2007, down 48 percent from a year ago. Cumulative milk production for the first seven months of 2007 totaled 24.3 million pounds, down 31 percent from the same period in 2006.

July?s Cow Herd Down 37 Percent From Year Ago
Hawaii?s cow herd, both dry and milking, numbered 2,700 head in July 2007, unchanged from June 2007 and down 37 percent from July 2006.

Milk Per Cow Decreases
Average milk per cow is estimated at 1,000 pounds for July 2007, down 14 percent from last July?s average of 1,165 pounds per cow.

Average Farm Prices

Most July Livestock Prices Above Year-ago Averages

Steers and heifers
The average dress weight farm price for steers and heifers is estimated at 99.5 cents per pound for July 2007, up half-a-cent from June and 1.5 cents per pound higher than a year ago.

Cows
The average dress weight farm price for cows is estimated at 55.0 cents per pound in July 2007, unchanged from June. Compared to a year ago, the average dress weight farm price for cows was 3.0 cents per pound higher in July 2007.

Market hogs
The average dress weight farm price for market hogs is estimated at $1.25 per pound for July 2007, 8 cents per pound higher than June 2007. Compared to a year ago, the dressed weight for market hogs was down 5.0 cents per pound this July.

Milk
The average farm price for milk was $29.90 per hundredweight during July 2007, up $2.20 from June 2007. Compared to a year ago, the July 2007 average farm price for milk was $5.00 per hundredweight higher.

Eggs
The average farm price for a dozen eggs was $1.05 in July 2007, up 1 percent from June 2007. Compared to a year ago, the average farm price for a dozen eggs was up 8 percent in July.

U.S. Livestock Roundup

NASS

Commercial red meat production for the United States totaled 3.94 billion pounds in July, up 4 percent from the 3.79 billion pounds produced in July 2006.

Beef production, at 2.26 billion pounds, was 2 percent above the previous year. Cattle slaughter totaled 2.90 million head, up 2 percent from July 2006. The average live weight was down 4 pounds from the previous year, at 1,269 pounds.

Veal production totaled 10.7 million pounds, 5 percent below July a year ago. Calf slaughter totaled 62,600 head, up 8 percent from July 2006. The average live weight was down 36 pounds from last year, at 289 pounds.

Pork production totaled 1.66 billion pounds, up 7 percent from the previous year. Hog kill totaled 8.40 million head, up 7 percent from July 2006. The average live weight was up 1 pound from the previous year, at 264 pounds.

Lamb and mutton production, at 13.5 million pounds, was up 2 percent from July 2006. Sheep slaughter totaled 204,700 head, 1 percent above last year. The average live weight was 131 pounds, up 1 pound from July a year ago.

U.S. egg production totaled 7.57 billion during July 2007, down 1 percent from last year. Production included 6.44 billion table eggs, and 1.14 billion hatching eggs, of which 1.07 billion were broiler-type and 66 million were egg-type. The total number of layers during July 2007 averaged 339 million, down 1 percent from last year. July egg production per 100 layers was 2,234 eggs, down slightly from July 2006.

All layers in the U.S. on August 1, 2007 totaled 340 million, down slightly from last year. The 340 million layers consisted of 281 million layers producing table or market type eggs, 56.2 million layers producing broilertype hatching eggs, and 2.72 million layers producing egg-type hatching eggs. Rate of lay per day on August 1, 2007, averaged 72.1 eggs per 100 layers, up 1 percent from August 1, 2006.

Excerpts from Livestock Slaughter (August 24, 2007) and Chickens and Eggs (August 21, 2007) releases.

ERS – ECONOMIC RESEARCH SERVICE

Cattle/Beef: NASS? Cattle report showed virtually all July 1, 2007 inventories down from July 1, 2006. The report indicates that cattle inventory growth has stalled, at best, or peaked, at worst, for the cattle cycle that first expanded in 2005, up from a cyclical low cattle and calf inventory of 103.6 million head on July 1, 2004 (including a low total cow inventory of 42.4 million head). The last cycle with a short expansion phase occurred during the cycle that began from a low point on January 1, 1979, peaked in 1982 after only 3 years of cattle inventory expansion, and ended at a low point in 1990 after 8 years of liquidation. As a result, beef production could be below 26 billion pounds for 2008 and 2009, which would be slightly below 2007 production, and will depend on average dressed weights and breeding heifer retention.

Hogs and Pork: Third-quarter commercial pork production is expected to be almost 5.3 billion pounds, about 3.2 percent above third quarter last year. Thirdquarter prices of live equivalent 51-52 percent lean hogs are forecast to range between $50 and $52 per hundredweight (cwt). Pork exports in the first half of 2007 were 4 percent lower than a year ago.

Dairy: Global demand for dairy products, especially nonfat dry milk, butter, and whey, will likely keep prices high this year and next despite increased domestic production in 2008.

Poultry: After falling in the first and second quarters, broiler meat production is expected to increase on a year-over-year basis in the second half of 2007. Prices for broiler products are expected to moderate as production increases. Turkey meat production continues to grow, but strong domestic demand and exports have kept stocks low and prices above those of the previous year.

Sheep and Lamb: The USDA Sheep and Goats report released on July 20, 2007 indicated a decline in inventories. On July 1, 2007, the U.S. sheep and lamb inventory totaled 7.73 million head, down slightly from 2006, but still about 1 percent above the July 1, 2004 bottom. Slight inventory reductions were seen in all of the major categories: breeding sheep, market sheep, and replacement lambs. Heavier-than-normal liquidation continues to take place in Texas and New Mexico, the region hit by severe drought in 2006. Despite these declines, the 2007 lamb crop showed year-over-year increases.

Excerpt from Livestock, Dairy, & Poultry Outlook/LDP-M- 158/August 20, 2007 Economic Research Service, USDA.

Hawaii Monthly Livestock Review

Here is the PDF file for the *Hawaii Monthly Livestock Review *Report.

lvstk080907.pdf

Please visit the website for more information: http://www.nass.usda.gov/hi/

————————————————————-
Contact Information:
Mark E. Hudson, Director
USDA NASS Hawaii Field Office
1421 South King Street
Honolulu, HI 96814-2512

Office: (808) 973-9588 / (800) 804-9514
Fax: (808) 973-2909
————————————————————-

“HAWAII MONTHLY LIVESTOCK REVIEW” reports are available on our website http://www.nass.usda.gov/hi/ and also PRINTED monthly. Subscriptions for PRINTED copies are free to those persons who report agricultural data to NASS (upon request) and available for $4 per year to all others.

Hawaii Monthly Livestock Review

June Egg Production Down 16 Percent From A Year Ago

Hawaii egg production totaled 6.9 million (19,167 cases) in June 2007, down 16 percent from June 2006. The average number of layers on hand during June 2007 was estimated at 368,000, up fractionally from May 2007 and down 17 percent from June 2006. The average rate of lay during June 2007 was 1,875 per 100 layers (62.5 percent rate of lay), up 2 percent from June 2006.

Total Cattle Marketings and Exports

June Cattle Marketings Down 30 Percent From 2006

Total cattle marketings for June 2007 is estimated at 4,000 head, down 30 percent from June 2006. Cumulative cattle marketings for the first six months of 2007 totaled 27,900 head, down 7 percent from the same period a year ago.

Exports down 38 percent from year ago

Exports of steers and heifers totaled 3,000 head in June 2007, down 38 percent from a year ago. Exports of steers totaled 1,800 head during June 2007, down 33 percent compared to a year ago. Total export of heifers also declined in June 2007 compared to a year ago at 1,200 head, a 43 percent decrease. Cumulative exports of steers and heifers through June 2007 totaled 22,500 head, down 9 percent from the same period a year ago. Cumulative exports of steers for 2007 stands at 13,300 head, down 7 percent from 2006. Exports of heifers showed a larger decrease through the first six months of 2007 at 9,200 head or down 12 percent from a year ago. Exports of other classes of cattle were not included.

Hawaii Monthly Livestock Review

Here is the PDF file for the *Hawaii Monthly Livestock Review* Report.

lvstk071207.pdf

Please visit the website for more information: http://www.nass.usda.gov/hi/

————————————————————-
Contact Information:
Mark E. Hudson, Director
USDA NASS Hawaii Field Office
1421 South King Street
Honolulu, HI 96814-2512

Office: (808) 973-9588 / (800) 804-9514
Fax: (808) 973-2909
————————————————————-

HAWAII MONTHLY LIVESTOCK REVIEW” reports are available on our website http://www.nass.usda.gov/hi/ and also PRINTED monthly. Subscriptions for PRINTED copies are free to those persons who report agricultural data to NASS (upon request) and available for $4 per year to all others.

May Egg Production Down 17 Percent From A Year Ago
Hawaii egg production totaled 6.9 million (19,167 cases) in May 2007, down 17 percent from May 2006. The average number of layers on hand during May 2007 was estimated at 367,000, down 3 percent from April 2007 and down 18 percent from May 2006. The average rate of lay during May 2007 was 1,880 per 100 layers (60.6 percent rate of lay), up 1 percent from May 2006

May Cattle Marketings Up 10 Percent From 2006
Total cattle marketings for May 2007 is estimated at 7,500 head, up 10 percent from May 2006. Cumulative cattle marketings for 2007 through May totaled 24,000 head, down 1 percent from the same period a year ago.

May exports up 12 percent from year ago
Exports of steers and heifers totaled 6,500 head in May 2007, up 12 percent from a year ago. Exports of steers totaled 3,900 head during May 2007, 3 percent higher than a year ago. Total export of heifers was also higher in May 2007 compared to a year ago at 2,600 head, a 30 percent increase. Cumulative exports for 2007 totaled 19,500 head of steers and heifers through May, down 2 percent from the same period a year ago. Cumulative exports of steers for 2007 stands at 11,500 head, down 1 percent from 2006. Exports of heifers showed a larger decrease through the first five months of 2007 at 8,000 head or down 4 percent from a year ago. Exports of other classes of cattle were not included.

Average live weight up 2 percent
The average live weight of steers and heifers exported from Hawaii in May 2007 was 418 pounds, up 2 percent from May 2006?s average live weight of 412 pounds.

Commercial Beef Production Up 5 Percent
Hawaii commercial beef production (local slaughter) during May 2007 totaled 582,000 pounds, up 5 percent from May 2006. Cumulative beef production (local slaughter) through May 2007 totaled 2.6 million pounds, up 7 percent from a year ago. Commercial kill totaled 1,000 head in May, unchanged from May 2006. Average live weight per head was 1,085 pounds in May 2007, up 6 percent from the average live weight per head in May 2006.

Commercial Pork Production Down 5 Percent
Hawaii commercial pork production during May 2007 totaled 316,000 pounds, down 5 percent from May 2006. Cumulative pork production for the first five months of 2007 totaled 1.4 million pounds, down 7 percent from a year ago. Total hog kill was 1,900 head in May 2007, down 5 percent from a year ago. Average live weight per head was 219 pounds in May 2007, down 4 percent from the 227-pound average a year ago.

May Milk Production Down 35 Percent From Year Ago
Hawaii?s dairy cows produced 3.3 million pounds of milk in May 2007, down 35 percent from a year ago. Cumulative milk production for the first five months of 2007 totaled 18.9 million pounds, down 25 percent from the same period in 2006.

May?s Cow Herd Down 26 Percent From Year Ago
Hawaii?s cow herd, both dry and milking, numbered 3,200 head in May 2007, unchanged from April 2007 but down 26 percent from May 2006. Average milk per cow is estimated at 1,020 pounds for May 2007, down 14 percent from last May?s average of 1,185 pounds per cow.

Average Farm Prices

Most Livestock Prices Remain Higher Than Year-ago Averages

Steers and heifers
The average dress weight farm price for steers and heifers is estimated at 99.0 cents per pound for May 2007, down 1 percent from April 2007 but unchanged compared to a year ago.

Cows
The average dress weight farm price for cows is estimated at 55.0 cents per pound in May 2007, up 2 percent from April. Compared to a year ago, the average dress weight farm price for cows was up a penny from May 2006.

Market hogs
The average dress weight farm price for market hogs is estimated at $1.17 per pound for May 2007, down 2 percent from April 2007. Compared to a year ago, the dressed weight for market hogs was down 8 percent this May.

Milk
The average farm price for milk was $27.40 per hundredweight during May 2007, up 1 percent from April 2007. Compared to a year ago, the May 2007 average farm price for milk was 10 percent higher.

Eggs
The average farm price for a dozen eggs was $1.12 in May 2007, up 2 percent from April 2007 and 14 percent higher than a year ago.

HAWAII MONTHLY LIVESTOCK REVIEW

Here is the PDF file for the *Hawaii Monthly Livestock Review *Report.

lvstk040507.pdf

Please visit the website for more information: http://www.nass.usda.gov/hi/

————————————————————-
Contact Information:
Mark E. Hudson, Director
USDA NASS Hawaii Field Office
1421 South King Street
Honolulu, HI 96814-2512

Office: (808) 973-9588 / (800) 804-9514
Fax: (808) 973-2909
————————————————————-

“HAWAII MONTHLY LIVESTOCK REVIEW” reports are available on our website http://www.nass.usda.gov/hi/ and also PRINTED monthly. Subscriptions for PRINTED copies are free to those persons who report agricultural data to NASS (upon request) and available for $4 per year to all others.

February Egg Production Down 19 Percent From A Year Ago

Hawaii egg production totaled 6.4 million (17,778 cases) in February 2007, down 19 percent from February 2006. The average number of layers on hand during February 2007 was estimated at 395,000, down 2 percent from January and down 17 percent from February 2006.

The average rate of lay during February 2007 was 1,620 per 100 layers (57.9 percent rate of lay), down 3 percent from February 2006.

February Cattle Marketings Down 32 Percent From 2006

Total cattle marketings for February 2007 is estimated at 2,300 head, down 32 percent from February 2006. Cumulative cattle marketings for the first two months of 2007 totaled 8,100 head, down 15 percent from a year ago.

February exports down 42 percent from year ago

Exports of steers and heifers totaled 1,500 head in February 2007, down 42 percent from a year ago. During the first two months of 2007, 6,400 head have been exported, down 19 percent from the same period a year ago. A breakdown of February 2007 exports shows that both categories of cattle experienced a decline. At 700 head, February 2007 exports of steers were down 42 percent from February 2006. Exports of heifers also totaled 700 head in February 2007, down 50 percent from last February. Exports of other classes of cattle were not included.

Average live weight up 4 percent

The average live weight of steers and heifers exported from Hawaii in February 2007 was 446 pounds, up 16 percent or 61 pounds from a year ago. Commercial Beef Production Up 7 Percent Hawaii commercial beef production (local slaughter) during February 2007 totaled 478,000 pounds, up 7 percent from February 2006. Cumulative beef production (local slaughter) for the first two months of 2007 totaled 1.0 million pounds, up 13 percent from a year ago. Commercial kill totaled 800 head in February, unchanged from the February 2006?s total of 800 head. Average live weight per head increased to 1,093 pounds in February 2007, 3 percent heavier than in February 2006.

Commercial Beef Production

Up 7 Percent Hawaii commercial beef production (local slaughter) during February 2007 totaled 478,000 pounds, up 7 percent from February 2006. Cumulative beef production (local slaughter) for the first two months of 2007 totaled 1.0 million pounds, up 13 percent from a year ago. Commercial kill totaled 800 head in February, unchanged from the February 2006?s total of 800 head. Average live weight per head increased to 1,093 pounds in February 2007, 3 percent heavier than in February 2006.

Commercial Pork Production Down 8 Percent

Hawaii commercial pork production during February 2007 totaled 254,000 pounds, down 8 percent from February 2006. Cumulative pork production during the first two months of 2007 totaled 535,000 pounds, down 8 percent from a year ago. Total hog kill was 1,500 head in February 2007, down 12 percent from a year ago. Average live weight per head was 219 pounds in February 2007, down 2 percent from the 224-pound average a year ago.

Hawaii County

Hilo and Puna districts saw an increase in new grass growth as temperatures slowly began to rise and days lengthen. Ranchers reported adequate water supplies in streams as well as in stock ponds. Cattle and calves were in good condition with no unusual losses being reported.

Ka`u district pastures were in fair to good condition as soil moisture was adequate. Lower elevation pastures were fairly green, but growth was slow. Pahala pastures were beginning to show stress from low moisture. Further south, rainfall was more plentiful and grass growth was evident in the Kahuku and South Point areas.

North and South Kona districts received good showers early in the month, but new grass growth could not be sustained due to the rapid decrease in soil moisture due to dry weather. Pastures in the upper slopes experienced cloudy skies, cool afternoons, and showers which helped to spur re-growth. Coastal and low elevation pastures were very dry with only dry feed available for grazing. Prospects for new grass growth were poor. Stock water supplies were low.

North and South Kohala districts experienced heavy showers in isolated areas at the start of the month. The Puukapu and Mana areas had new grass growth and available feed supplies were good. Cooler temperatures had a slight slowing effect on grass growth. Increased soil moisture in thenormally dry Lalamilo pastures boosted new grass growth. Leeward Kohala mountain pastures, that were brown from a lack of rain, were observed with new grass growth. Adequate soil moisture in the Kapaau and Hawi pastures helped to produce adequate feed supplies. South Kohala coastal areas had only dry standing feed and were in poor condition. Pastures below Waikii received good showers and had fair new grass growth. Upper Waikii and Kilohana pastures remained very dry. A brush fire blackened about 50 acres of dry rangeland in the Kilohana area.

Hamakua district pastures were in generally good condition. Warmer temperatures and increasingly longer days have spurred grass growth. Stock water supplies are mostly adequate as streams were flowing at near normal levels.

Maui County

Maui Island:

Pastures on the east side of Maui received beneficial showers, but cool temperatures prevented optimal growth. Some pastures have been re-seeded to increase the quality of forage. Overall, these pastures were in fair to good condition. Lower pastures in Ulupalakua were drying out and mice have become a concern. Upper elevation pastures were in fair condition, but rainfall is needed. Pastures in Keokea were still able to provide feed, although there is a greater percentage of dry forage. Lower elevation pastures in Kulawere drying out. There was still a good amount of dry forage available, but green forage was of inferior quality. Haiku pastures were in fair condition. Previously irrigated pastures in the central area of the Maui were drying out and did not appear to be receiving irrigation. Pastures in Kahakuloa were able to maintain steady re-growth due to occasional showers and decreased grazing pressure.

Honolulu County

Except for some interior sections, rainfall was below normal on Oahu. Pastures were in fair condition with some supplemental feeding being supplied.

Kauai County

Windward areas record near or above normal rainfall while leeward sections were below normal. Pastures were in fair to good conditions with lots of weeds in some areas. Livestock conditions were generally good.

1/ Rainfall stations were selected from the National Weather Service?s Hydronet system of automated rain gages. Featured stations may vary each month. All rainfall data has not been quality controlled, and therefore is not certified by the National Weather Service. A complete listing of Hydronet stations, rainfall gage location maps, and other rainfall data may be found at the National Weather Service?s hydrology homepage: http://www.prh.noaa.gov/hnl/pages/hydrology.php

February Milk Production Down 23 Percent From Year Ago

Hawaii?s dairy cows produced 3.7 million pounds of milk in February 2007, down 23 percent from a year ago. Cumulative milk production for the first two months of 2007 totaled 8.1 million pounds, down 20 percent from the same period in 2006.

February?s Cow Herd

Down 16 Percent From Year Ago Hawaii?s cow herd, both dry and milking, numbered 3,700 head in February 2007, down 3 percent from January 2007 and down 16 percent from February 2006. Average milk per cow is estimated at 1,000 pounds for February 2007, down 8 percent from last February?s average of 1,090 pounds per cow.

Livestock Prices Higher Than Year-ago

Steers and heifers

The average dress weight farm price for steers and heifers is estimated at 99.0 cents per pound for February 2007, unchanged from January. Compared to a year ago, the February 2007 average dress weight farm price was 2 cents higher.

Cows

The average dress weight farm price for cows is estimated at 54.0 cents per pound in February 2007, unchanged from January. Compared to a year ago, the average dress weight farm price for cows was 2 cents per pound higher in February 2007.

Market hogs

The average dress weight farm price for market hogs is estimated at $1.30 per pound for February 2007, unchanged from January. Compared to a year ago, the dressed weight for market hogs was up 15 cents per pound this February.

Milk

The average farm price for milk was $26.90 per hundredweight during February 2007, up 10 cents per hundredweight from January. February 2007?s farm price for milk was 3 percent higher than a year ago.

Eggs

The average farm price for a dozen eggs was $1.05 in February 2007, unchanged from January. Compared to a year ago, the farm price for a dozen eggs was 7 percent higher in February 2007.

Commercial red meat production for the United States totaled 3.62 billion pounds in February, up 4 percent from the 3.49 billion pounds produced in February 2006.

Beef production, at 1.95 billion pounds, was 7 percent above the previous year. Cattle slaughter totaled 2.56 million head, up 9 percent from February 2006. The average live weight was down 10 pounds from the previous year, at 1,274 pounds.

Veal production totaled 12.2 million pounds, 7 percent above February a year ago. Calf slaughter totaled 66,900 head, up 27 percent from February 2006. The average live weight was down 50 pounds from last year, at 307 pounds.

Pork production totaled 1.64 billion pounds, down slightly from the previous year. Hog kill totaled 8.12 million head, down slightly February 2006. The average live weight was down 2 pounds from the previous year, at 269 pounds.

Lamb and mutton production, at 14.4 million pounds, was down 2 percent from February 2006. Sheepslaughter totaled 204,400 head, 1 percent above last year. The average live weight was 140 pounds, down 4 pounds from February a year ago.

U.S. egg production totaled 6.91 billion during February 2007, down 1 percent from last year. Production included 5.92 billion table eggs, and 998 million hatching eggs, of which 937 million were broilertype and 61 million were egg-type. The total number of layers during February 2007 averaged 347 million, down 1 percent from last year. February egg production per 100 layers was 1,992 eggs, down slightly from February 2006.

All layers in the U.S. on March 1, 2007 totaled 347 million, down 1 percent from last year. The 347 million layers consisted of 288 million layers producing table or market type eggs, 56.5 million layers producing broilertype hatching eggs, and 2.82 million layers producing egg-type hatching eggs. Rate of lay per day on March 1, 2007, averaged 71.6 eggs per 100 layers, unchanged from March 1, 2006.

Excerpts from Livestock Slaughter (March 23, 2007) and Chickens and Eggs (March 23, 2007) releases.

Cattle/Beef: Low forage reserves continue to result in heavy cow and calf slaughter. Weekly year-to-date total calf slaughter is almost 28 percent above last year?s cumulative year-to-date total for the same period, while production is up only 6 percent. Farm-to-retail price spreads are increasing seasonally, along with increasing fed cattle and retail prices, and byproduct values are nearing record levels. Forecast beef exports for 2007, while up from the 2006 total, were reduced somewhat due to slow growth in shipments to major Asian markets.

Hogs/Pork: The USDA forecast for first-quarter 2007 commercial pork production was lowered 50 million pounds, to 5.325 billion pounds, due to slightly lower than expected slaughter and lower average dressed weights. First-quarter prices of live-equivalent 51-52 percent lean hogs are expected to range between $46 and $47 per hundredweight (cwt), more than 9 percent above first quarter a year ago. Hog prices will likely belower in the second half of this year as pork production accelerates seasonally and broiler production expands. U.S. packers and hog finishers are expected to import 9.35 million head of hogs from Canada this year, an increase of almost 7 percent over last year.

Dairy: Rapidly rising feed prices have limited production increases. The smaller production expansion in light of strong demand should boost prices for milk and dairy products in 2007. Exports of dry products continue to sharply raise prices in that segment of the market.

Poultry: With a decline in broiler meat production in January 2007, the estimate for first-quarter 2007 meat production was lowered by 75 million pounds to 8.75 billion pounds and the estimate for the second quarter was lowered by 50 million pounds, bringing the 2007 estimate to 35.9 billion pounds. Prices for almost all broiler products have strengthened considerably and are much higher than in the first 2 months of 2006. Turkey meat production in first-quarter 2007 isestimated at 1.41 billion pounds, up 4 percent from a year earlier. Even with the higher production and increased stock levels, prices for many turkey products were higher than at the start of 2006.

Poultry Trade: U.S. broiler exports finished strong in 2006, while turkey exports fell short. Broiler shipments were down, while turkey shipments were up, for January 2007. Broiler exports in January totaled 396 million pounds, a decline of 7 percent, while turkey exports totaled 42 million pounds, an increase of 13.3 percent from a year ago.

Sheep/Lamb: Typically, lamb demand exhibits some seasonality and is highest during the Passover/Easter holidays. As a result, production increases are expected in the weeks leading up to the holiday season. However, production for the first quarter 2007 is forecast 2 percent lower than for the same period last year. Choice Slaughter lamb prices at San Angelo have not seen significant increases despite lower production. Imports of lamb and mutton are expected to continue to increase, offsetting U.S. production declines.

Hawaii Monthly Livestock Review

January Egg Production Down 17 Percent From A Year Ago

Hawaii egg production totaled 7.3 million (20,278 cases) in January 2007, down 17 percent from January 2006. The average number of layers on hand during January 2007 was estimated at 404,000, down 1 percent from December and down 15 percent from January 2006. The average rate of lay during January 2007 was 1,807 per 100 layers (58.3 percent rate of lay), down 2 percent from January 2006.

January Cattle Marketings Down 3 Percent From 2006

Total cattle marketings for January 2007 is estimated at 5,900 head, down 3 percent from January 2006.

January exports down 6 percent from year ago

Exports of steers and heifers totaled 5,000 head in January 2007, down 6 percent from a year ago. A breakdown of the exports shows that both categories experienced a decline in January. Steers accounted for 60 percent of January 2007?s export total with 3,000 head, down 3 percent from January 2006. Exports of heifers totaled 1,900 head in January 2007, down 14 percent from last January. Exports of other classes of cattle were not included.

Click the link below for the full PDF article:

030907lvstk.pdf

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