It's A Done Deal & The Western Dairy Challenge

Washington State University was one of six western universities along with one Canadian university competing in the seventh annual Western Regional Dairy Challenge earlier this month. The objective of the competition, developed by industry and university professionals across the US, is to present students with real-life situations that accentuate the need and importance of teamwork and professionalism. WSU was one of those receiving 1st place awards and will now go on to compete at the national contest March 29.

Well, it’s a done deal. The Korean Free Trade Agreement was officially implemented yesterday. It was definitely a long time coming, and a great many people in the agriculture industry have struggled for a very long time to make it happen. Ag exports are now expected to grow just short of 2 billion dollars, along with the creation of about 16 thousand jobs here in the US. Cattleman Jack Field talks about what this means for producers here in Washington.

FIELD: Exports add approximately $145 per head in value to each head of cattle so by looking at where we are right now with some of the record high prices - having that export opportunity really helps bolster and keep our prices in the area where we see them. We’ve got some huge opportunities as we look to Korea. The great thing in export markets is they add value to - in many times to parts of the carcass that are not as popular here domestically. So, it’s a great opportunity, a huge step forward, and something that has been embraced throughout the industry as a very solid and strong step forward.

I’m Lacy Gray and that’s Washington Ag Today on the Northwest Ag Information Network.