November 11, 2013

The Kansas Department of Agriculture (KDA) has set its priorities in promoting modern beef cattle production practices utilised by Kansas farmers and ranchers and high quality Kansas beef products during an upcoming trade mission to Russia last October 23 to November 2.

KDA Agribusiness Coordinator Thad Geiger will join a delegation of officials from the South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Montana Department of Agriculture on the mission to Russia sponsored by the US Livestock Genetics Export, Inc. The delegation will meet with government officials, including government leaders in Novosibirsk, attend the Agro Expo Siberia and visit cattle ranches in the Novosibirsk region.

Geiger said Kansas has tremendous potential to benefit as Russia and other Eastern European countries work to rebuild domestic cattle herds. Noting US exports of more than 54,000 breeding cows from the US to Russia in 2012, Geiger said this mission will help further solidify Kansas' role as an international leader in the beef cattle industry.

He added, "As we continue to expand exports to Russia, however, we also have an opportunity to help train and educate Russian cattlemen and women. Not only are good genetics and high-quality cattle important, but so too are good herd management, record keeping, animal health and nutrition programmes, employee training and risk management tools."

The Russian federal government has provided support programmes aimed at rebuilding the domestic beef and dairy cattle herds. Funds have been allocated specifically for construction and modernisation of livestock farms and the purchase of high quality dairy and beef breeding cattle, semen and embryos.

The KDA Agricultural Advocacy, Marketing and Outreach Team has worked with Kansas farmers, ranchers and agribusinesses to expand export opportunities in Russia since 2010.