October 5, 2007
Montana hopes to sell cattle breeds to Russia
A delegation from the US state of Montana would soon be heading to Russia to stir interest in the state's beef cattle livestock and genetics know-how.
Ron de Yong, director of the Montana Department of Agriculture, and the rest of the delegation will meet with Russian government officials, livestock breeders and importers of beef genetics at the nation's Golden Autumn Trade Show.
The delegation hopes to provide information about Montana's seed stock, performance testing and feeding philosophies, and discuss with Russian breeders how US genetics could be used to accomplish their project goals, de Yong said in a news release.
He said Montana's hardy beef animals, bred to withstand harsh winter conditions, are likely interest Russian ranchers.
In 2006 and 2007, Montana breeders exported 235,000 units of bull semen worth more than US$5 million to cattle breeders in more than 15 countries.
Russian producers have been using imported livestock genetics hoping to stem the decline in the country's livestock numbers.
