Industry Briefs

Preliminary estimates from devastating Texas wildfires are $23.1 million, which includes fence repair costs. Photo by Kay Ledbetter, Texas A&M AgriLife Communications. WILDFIRE PRELIMINARY AGRICULTURE LOSSES

Texas wildfires that ravaged the Eastland Complex, parts of the Panhandle and Coryell County regions encompassing 433,000 acres have resulted in $23.1 million in preliminary agricultural loss estimates, according to Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service economists.

The losses include more than 400 livestock deaths, lost grazing values and fence repair costs. Dry, windy conditions throughout the winter season and into early spring heightened the fire danger threat.

The preliminary estimates were calculated beginning with the early March fires and running through the end of April. AgriLife Extension economists say the preliminary loss estimates could climb higher due to ongoing fire threats.

During a seven-day span in late March, state, federal and local fire resources responded to 192 wildfires that burned 173,559 acres. More than 300 Texas A&M Forest Service firefighters and more than 200 Texas Intrastate Fire Mutual Aid System firefighters, along with firefighting personnel from 28 states, were positioned across the state to respond.

The USDA’s Farm Service Agency has approved lowinterest physical loss loans to help producers repair or replace damaged or destroyed qualifying physical property. To confirm eligibility and access application information, contact your local USDA Service Center.

The U.S. Small Business Administration approved Gov. Greg Abbott’s request for a disaster declaration in communities affected by the Eastland Complex Fire, unlocking access to multiple loan programs. Applicants may apply for loans, receive additional disaster assistance information, and download applications online.

Texans affected by wildfires are encouraged to submit property damage at damage.tdem.texas.gov to help officials identify resource needs and determine the state’s eligibility for additional disaster assistance. USMEF SPRING CONFERENCE SPOTLIGHTS U.S.-CHINA TRADE RELATIONS

The U.S. Meat Export Federation recently hosted its spring conference in San Antonio. The three-day meeting examined a number of key issues for U.S. exporters, while also updating members on promotional activities for U.S. beef in a wide range of international markets.

One of the event’s general sessions focused on agricultural trade relations between the U.S. and China, including a deep dive into the market access gains achieved for U.S. beef through the 2020 Phase One Trade and Economic Agreement.

Guest panelist for the session was former Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad, who had a front-row seat for the tumultuous negotiations leading to the agreement, as he was serving as U.S. Ambassador to China under the Trump administration. Branstad was joined on the panel by Joel Haggard, U.S. Meat Export Federation senior vice president for the Asia Pacific, who is based in Hong Kong.

Offering a glimpse inside the talks, Branstad admitted early concerns about efforts to engage China more aggressively on trade.

“My respect for Ambassador (Robert) Lighthizer grew through the process,” Branstad said, referring to the U.S. trade representative at the time. “He was very focused, and worked really hard to build a personal relationship with the chief negotiator on the Chinese side, Liu He, who does have President Xi Jinping’s ear. That was critically important, and it was successful.”

Following adoption of the Phase One pact, Chinese purchases of U.S. agricultural products reached record levels, albeit still short of the targets outlined in the agreement. Now, two years after the agreement entered into force, Branstad said Chinese consumers remain committed to U.S. food products because they value the quality and safety.

Haggard noted U.S. producers should not be overly concerned the Phase One purchase targets were not reached. With improved market access, private entities in China made strong increases in their imports of U.S. agricultural goods according to their needs, which Haggard sees as the preferred path to increased trade.

“Would we in the meat sector have wanted Chinese state purchasers to go out and buy products just for the purpose of buying them, and disrupt the market?”

Haggard asked. “That doesn’t serve orderly development of the market.”

Haggard praised the expanded opportunities resulting from the Phase One Agreement, which allowed China to quickly rise to the third largest destination for U.S. beef exports, trailing only South Korea and Japan.

The name “Phase One” implies there is unfinished business to be resolved in a second round of U.S.-China trade talks, but Branstad noted there are significant obstacles to striking up Phase Two negotiations.

“That’s going to be the hardest part because the Chinese government loves to subsidize their state-owned enterprises,” he said. “That’s market-distorting and it’s something we wanted to address, and frankly that’s what didn’t get done in the Phase One agreement. I think it will be difficult to do, and the Biden administration hasn’t really shown any appetite for going after it.” USDA’S FARM SERVICE AGENCY NAMES NEW STATE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

The Biden administration recently appointed Kelly Adkins as the new state executive director for the USDA Texas Farm Service Agency. Adkins joined the team May 9.

A native of Haskell, Adkins was raised on a small family farm while he attended Haskell High School and later Texas Tech University where he earned his bachelor of business degree with a minor in agriculture.

Adkins has enjoyed a career serving farmers and ranchers in many capacities, including county executive director in Grimes and Randall counties, and district director for the agency overseeing offices and program delivery for a multi-county area of the Panhandle. He is currently a resident of Canyon, where he is involved in a small farming and cattle operation. TEXAS A&M ANIMAL SCIENCE REPRODUCTION AND BIOTECHNOLOGY CENTER DONATION

The Texas A&M Department of Animal Science’s new $9.9-million Reproduction and Biotechnology Center has received a $500,000 donation from Merck Animal Health.

The new animal science center, expected to be completed in 2023, will include research labs, educational spaces, animal-handling areas and dedicated research lab space for emerging technologies and practices for academic and industry partner use. The facility will further the department’s pursuit of innovation and collaboration through academic and industrypartnered research, focusing on the latest techniques and hands-on instruction. T CI

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