Representatives from the Kansas Department of Agriculture, along with other state departments of agriculture, traveled to Rancho el Palomino, one of several ranch visits that were part of a bovine genetics trade mission to Mexico in October. (Photo courtesy.)
The Kansas Department of Agriculture has partnered with US Livestock Genetics Export, Inc. along with the Departments of Agriculture of Idaho, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico and Tennessee to participate in a trade mission to Mexico October 25-28.
The trade mission included Kansas rancher Dirck Hoagland of J&N Ranch, Leavenworth, and Daniel Mushrush of Mushrush Red Angus, Strong City. The mission focused on building relationships and expanding international commercialization opportunities for purebred bovine genetics in Mexico.
During the trade mission, the team traveled outside of Chihuahua, where they visited Complejo Ganadero Las Palomas and attended a networking event with the Angus Association. The team also attended the Expo Ganadera Chihuahua where they observed the judging and selection of the Charolais, Charbray and Hereford Champion bulls and bitches. Other ranch visits were at Rancho el Palomino (Hereford and Angus), Rancho Luis Enrique Terrazas (Red Angus) and Rancho Victor Cruz (Quarter Horses).
In 2021, Kansas’ agricultural exports to Mexico totaled $1.91 billion. Mexico is Kansas No. 1 trading partner and accounts for nearly 44% of total agricultural exports. “Mexico is an important trading partner for Kansas and I think there are some real opportunities to grow that relationship on both sides. I look forward to working with the ranchers we met in Chihuahua to see how we can both benefit from this introduction,” said Hoagland.
“Mexican cattle are a common sight in the Kansas Flint Hills pastures in the summer. A lot of these cattle are from Chihuahua, Mexico, so it was very exciting to see the opportunities to improve cattle throughout the supply chain and back into my backyard,” added Mushrush. “I look forward to further discussions on these opportunities.”
The trade mission to Mexico was made possible by KDA’s membership of the USLGE, with funding from the US Department of Agriculture’s Market Access Program. It is KDA’s mission to support all facets of farming, including support for those wishing to market and sell beef genetics domestically and internationally. For more information, including upcoming trade mission opportunities, please contact KDA International Trade Director Suzanne Ryan-Numrich at [email protected] or 785-564-6704.
