Today 9/20/2006 1:37:00 PM
Age & Source Verification Still Needed For Japan
Early in January there was a lot of interest and momentum in age and source verification in anticipation of the re-establishment of the Japanese market. A considerable financial investment was made by the industry in developing QSAs, verifying product and meeting Japanese requirements. When the market was closed again because of prohibited material in one shipment, a portion of that investment was lost. Despite efforts to the contrary, Japan’s Health Minister Jiro Kawasaki indicated that all beef trade would halt again if any specified risk materials are found in a US shipment. Given this statement and the knowledge that few processes are 100% perfect, it is no wonder that most are approaching the market reopening much more cautiously.
Nevertheless, there is evidence that more feedlots have completed the QSA establishment process. Feedlots seem happy to get age verified cattle, but are not willing to pay extra at this point for lack of harvest premiums. For now, it seems that most of the product being prepared for shipment to Japan is coming from carcasses meeting the A40 age specification. If the Japanese consumer gets their appetite for American beef back, there could be more demand than what can be met by carcass age alone.
Remember it does take some time to go through the steps to become approved to provide age and source verified cattle. A signed affidavit is not enough and will need to be backed with written management plans and documentation. For more information on age and source verification, refer to March 2006 and September 2005 Beef Tips. Producers have a variety of options to participate in these types of programs and some provide additional benefits such as documented health programs. While you might not find a payoff for age and source verification in the next few months, there is reason to hope that the quality and flavor of US beef will bring the Japanese back soon. There is evidence that other markets such as non-hormone treated beef and all natural may be growing and in most cases some type of process verification will be needed similar to the age verification process.
Source: Kansas State University – Beef Tips
Age & Source Verification Still Needed For Japan
Early in January there was a lot of interest and momentum in age and source verification in anticipation of the re-establishment of the Japanese market. A considerable financial investment was made by the industry in developing QSAs, verifying product and meeting Japanese requirements. When the market was closed again because of prohibited material in one shipment, a portion of that investment was lost. Despite efforts to the contrary, Japan’s Health Minister Jiro Kawasaki indicated that all beef trade would halt again if any specified risk materials are found in a US shipment. Given this statement and the knowledge that few processes are 100% perfect, it is no wonder that most are approaching the market reopening much more cautiously.
Nevertheless, there is evidence that more feedlots have completed the QSA establishment process. Feedlots seem happy to get age verified cattle, but are not willing to pay extra at this point for lack of harvest premiums. For now, it seems that most of the product being prepared for shipment to Japan is coming from carcasses meeting the A40 age specification. If the Japanese consumer gets their appetite for American beef back, there could be more demand than what can be met by carcass age alone.
Remember it does take some time to go through the steps to become approved to provide age and source verified cattle. A signed affidavit is not enough and will need to be backed with written management plans and documentation. For more information on age and source verification, refer to March 2006 and September 2005 Beef Tips. Producers have a variety of options to participate in these types of programs and some provide additional benefits such as documented health programs. While you might not find a payoff for age and source verification in the next few months, there is reason to hope that the quality and flavor of US beef will bring the Japanese back soon. There is evidence that other markets such as non-hormone treated beef and all natural may be growing and in most cases some type of process verification will be needed similar to the age verification process.
Source: Kansas State University – Beef Tips