Applications Being Accepted For Russian Trade Mission

Posted: 7/27/2012

SOUTH DAKOTA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Friday, July 27, 2012

Media Contact: Ty Eschenbaum, 605-773-5146

 

PIERRE, S.D. – Applications are being accepted for funding to a South Dakota agricultural producer or beef industry representative interested in attending the October beef genetics trade mission to Russia, co-hosted by the South Dakota, Kansas and Montana departments of Agriculture.

The delegation will include beef producers, industry representatives, and state staff.

Along with personnel from the two other states, Ty Eschenbaum, value-added development specialist in the South Dakota Department of Agriculture (SDDA), will help lead the delegation on an eight-day mission centered on “Golden Autumn 2012,” a premier Russian agriculture trade show in Moscow. 

“This trip will be a collaborative effort to not only continue demonstrating that the U.S., especially the Northern Plains, is a top producer of high-quality beef genetics, but to help build the knowledge and relationships necessary for willing South Dakota producers to capitalize on this emerging market,” Eschenbaum said.

Besides attending the exhibition, the delegation will travel outside of Moscow to visit beef cattle operations and meet with key leaders, investors and ranch managers. 

According to the USDA Economic Research Service, from June 2011 through May 2012 more than 61,000 head of cattle were shipped from the United States to Russia.  That figure is more than 30 percent of the total live cattle that left the U.S. during that period, placing Russia second only to Canada (74,000 head) in total cattle imports. 

Funding for the focused trade mission to Russia is provided by U.S. Livestock Genetics Export (USLGE), a non-profit international trade organization that includes SDDA as a member.   USLGE has cooperator status with the Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) of the USDA and uses Market Access Program funds to help develop international markets for U.S. livestock.

The application for producers interested in attending the trade mission to Russia is posted online and can be found at http://sdda.sd.gov/AgDevelopment/South%20Dakota%20Beef%20Trade%20Mission%20Application%20(2).pdf

For more information on the application and the October trade mission, contact Ty Eschenbaum at 605-773-5146.

Agriculture is South Dakota's No. 1 industry, generating nearly $21 billion in annual economic activity and employing more than 80,000 South Dakotans.  The South Dakota Department of Agriculture's mission is to promote, protect, preserve and improve this industry for today and tomorrow.  Visit us online at http://sdda.sd.gov  or follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

 

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