Building Red Meat Exports Around the World with U.S. Meat Export Federation
Collaborating with Kansas Beef and Pork Producers on market development efforts
Advocating for red meat and agriculture with consumer-facing efforts

Feeding Livestock with Kansas Corn

Livestock: Our #1 Customer

Livestock is the #1 customer of Kansas corn. Corn is a key ingredient in livestock feed and as Kansas is a leading beef cattle feeding state, the crop is of major importance to the success of this industry. The Kansas Corn Commission (KCC) actively works to build markets for livestock. Kansas Corn actively supports the U.S. Meat Export Federation to build export markets for red meat. Kansas Corn was the first corn checkoff in the nation to support USMEF and has funded their efforts for nearly 40 years. We cooperate with the Kansas Beef Council and Kansas Pork Council on market development efforts for beef and pork. We support advocacy efforts to help increase consumer knowledge about the sustainable and humane production of beef and pork by working with groups like U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance and the Kansas Farm Food Connection.

KS-Corn-KCC-board-Pat-Ross-image

As a corn grower and cattle producer, I value efforts to build markets for red meat. The Kansas Corn Commission invests corn checkoff dollars in efforts like the U.S. Meat Export Federation to build red meat exports. We can export corn as a grain, or we can export it as the finished product–beef and pork. As the middle class grows in many countries, so does the demand for red meat. Through USMEF’s work, retailers and consumers are learning that our corn-fed U.S. beef and pork are higher quality, more delicious products.

 - Pat Ross, Kansas Corn Commissioner, Lawrence Corn and Cattle Producer

Feeding Corn In State

As the number one in-state customer for corn, Kansas livestock consumes corn in many forms across the various species.

In the 2018-19 marketing year:

  • Beef led as the largest market share of corn consumption per species in Kansas, consuming 117 million bushels.
  • 147 million bushels of corn was sold to the livestock industry as grain and processed for digestibility.
  • Over 1.9 million metric tons of corn distillers grains were fed.
  • Beef and dairy also consumed a large amount of corn silage.

The Kansas Corn Commission’s support of the US Meat Export Federation remains important to build exports of red meat which are so important to our state.  According to a recent study commissioned by USMEF:  In 2018, beef and pork exports used 460 million bushels of U.S. corn, and 11 percent of the price of corn this year will be derived from red meat exports.

 

 - Dennis McNinch, Kansas Corn Commissioner, West Central Kansas Corn Producer

Exporting Kansas Corn through Red Meat Exports

Kansas Corn actively supports the U.S. Meat Export Federation to build export markets for red meat. Kansas Corn was the first corn checkoff in the nation to support USMEF and has funded their efforts for nearly 40 years. Check out the facts below to learn more about how red meat meat exports improve corn prices and build demand for Kansas corn.

  • In 2019, the market value of red meat exports to Kansas was $106 million worth of corn and $13 million worth of dried distillers grains.
  • In 2019, red meat exports added 12% of the price of corn.
    • $0.46 from red meat exports at an average corn price of $3.75 per bushel.
  • Without red meat exports, Kansas farmers would have lost $368 million in corn revenue in 2019.
  • $1.356 Billion–The projected market value of red meat exports to Kansas corn from 2020-2029.
  • $139 Million–The projected market value of red meat exports to Kansas DDGS from 2020-2029.
  • DDGS utilized by beef and pork exports in 2019 represented about $0.04 per gallon in gross operating margin for ethanol mills.
  • 14.1% of U.S. beef is exported.
    • Top beef value export markets: Japan, South Korea, Mexico, China/Hong Kong, Canada and Taiwan.
    • $309.75 = Value per head of fed cattle slaughtered from U.S. beef exports.
  • 26.9% of U.S. pork is exported.
    • Top pork value export markets: Japan, China/Hong Kong, Mexico, Canada, South Korea.
    • $53.51 = Value per head of hogs slaughtered from U.S. pork exports.
  • Export premiums directly impact livestock finishers’ capacity to cover feed costs. A positive export premium adds to the profitability of feeding which helps both the feeder and the farmer.
    • 2019 Export Premium for a Barrow/Gilt = $18.71
    • 2019 Export Premium for a Fed Steer = $22.99

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