This month's edition includes summaries of some presentations at the Beef Improvement Federation National Meeting in Houston last month. More detailed information on presentations can be accessed at http://www.bifconference.com/bif2012/newsroom.html. The next BIF meeting will be in Oklahoma City on June 12-15, 2013.

U.S. pork exports finished the first quarter 8 percent higher in volume (598,058 metric tons) and 20 percent higher in value ($1.66 billion) than last year’s record pace, according to statistics released by the USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF).

At the same time, the value of beef exports for the quarter rose 4 percent (to $1.25 billion) on 10 percent lower volumes (266,388 metric tons).

American Angus Association members and supporters have a chance to “Come Home to Kansas” during the 2012 National Angus Conference & Tour (NAC&T).

Held October 3-5 in Wichita, Kansas, the event includes trips to both the Flint Hills and the western region of the state.

“This year’s NAC&T is full of informative speakers, inventive cattle operations, and most of all, beautiful Kansas scenery,” says Bryce Schumann, the Association’s chief executive officer.

Beef Products Inc. said Monday it will close permanently the three plants, including one in Waterloo, that made lean textured beef trimmings that became a media sensation in March.

Livestock Grain and Market News report for May 4.

Mad cow disease is much less scary to beef consumers than it was when the first case in the U.S. was found almost a decade ago.

New regulations and time have dulled the market impact of the disease as the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) on April 24 confirmed a case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) at a California dairy farm, said Ron Plain, a University of Missouri Extension economist.