US cattle sector upbeat on Asian market

US cattle producers are confident that cuts to their cattle identification programme will not give competitor Australia a marketing edge in Asia.

Funding for a voluntary animal identification system in the US has been cut, whereas livestock identification is compulsory in Australia.

Chuck Kiker, from the US Cattlemen's Association, said it is unlikely that livestock ID will be mandatory in the US for at least another five years, and that Asian markets still pay a premium for US beef.

The price US beef producers get is higher than what the Australian producers get, Kiker said.

He added that the two countries' beef industries are very different therefore the US has a lot more bargaining power.