Beef feedlotters and processors now require extra information on the NVD's they receive.
Apparently Russia and Saudi Arabia are two countries which now seek this endorsement on the status of cattle which are processed for entry into their countries.
If graziers have a recent NVD form, questions two, asks "Have these animals ever in their lives been fed feed containing animal fats?"
If the answer to this question is no, then the Saudi requirement has been fulfilled.
If the NVD is an older version, question two does not refer to animal fats. We are advised that in this case, we should in quesion nine in the space allocated to extra information, write the words "Saudi eligible".
To satisfy Russian requirments we must declare that none of our animals have been subjected to any of that country's recently listed banned substances.
In this case we should not in question nine that once again these cattle are also "Russian eligible".
Every person that you speak to in the processing industry, particularly those in exports will tell you how difficult the caper is at this point in time.
Following are some of the reasons given which includes the high Australian dollar.
Europe financially is currently in dreadful space, and Japan and Korea are also struggling with the added incentive to shop elsewhere after the recent arrival of much cheaper product from Canada and the United States.
As readers would be aware, these two countries have in recent months had pre-existing bans lifted on their beef exports to both Japan and Korea.
World wide beef exports from the US look set to pass the $5 billion mark for the first time ever in the calendar year of 2012.
Beef trade with Japan rose by 33 per cent and South Korea increased by 34 per cent in the same period.
Their weak currency is now making American beef very attractive to customers in our traditional markets.
The arrival of the northern wet season has also hampered processors ability to secure their requirements.
In a recent conversation with Roger Fletcher of Fletcher's International, he pointed out to the writer that even when a successful contract is completed, it is still very difficult to get paid within company financial guidelines.
The positive side to all of the above is that most parts of the continents are enjoying a good to excellent season with the accompanying very strong demand from restockers.
A flock and herd rebuilding process is now in full swing with demand for suitable breeding units at almost insatiable levels.
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Australia n goat meat exports declined slightly in 2011 when compared to the record year of 2010.
Exports for the calendar year just finished totalled 25,892 tonnes.
Shipments to the United States declined by more than 6 per cent, but this country still remains our principle destination taking some 15,160 tonnes.
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Live cattle exports while increasing in November year on year, fell for 2011 by 20 per cent to 625,435 head.
Major destinations for November included Indonesia (34,712 head), Russia (14,208 head), Phillipines (5500 head), China (2333 head) and Pakistan (1482 head).
Up until the end of November live cattle exports were valued at $564 million.
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