Procedures for Exporting Cattle from Chihuahua, Mexico to the United States

of America.

Introduction

One million head of cattle per year enter the United States from Mexico through 10 ports of entry.

The majority of cattle coming into the United States through these ports originate in the Mexican state of Chihuahua.

Cattle producers in northern Mexico are export-oriented.

Cattle production and exporting are very important economic activities in the state of Chihuahua.

Cattle export activity is determined by rainfall levels.

Procedures for exporting cattle recently changed in response to increased animal health concerns.

Chihuahua state is a model for animal movement control that the United States may need to copy.

Cattle traceability in the US is comingEar tagging and record-keeping process in Chihuahua

state is very complex

This model is based on two main points:

Green ear tag Inspection check points

Objectives of Paper

Dispel misinformation about Mexican cattle imports

To explain the general regulatory climate under which Mexican cattle are exported.

Chihuahua state procedures offer a model for the US

Bovine Tuberculosis Situation in Mexico

Since 1972, Chihuahua has been promoting different tuberculosis eradication campaigns.

Is considered the primary goal of the bi-national cattle disease control and eradication efforts.

In 1992, The Bovine Tuberculosis and Brucellosis Eradication Subcommittee was founded.

In 1993, a bi-national US-Mexico group was founded

Continue… The cattle transport rules are a critical component of Mexico’s

efforts to eradicate bovine tuberculosis.

In recent years Chihuahua has implemented a unique identification system for cattle consisting of a green ear tag.

Cattle traceability has been significantly improved as a result of the system.

The green ear tag is put on the animal by the original owner.

Remains in the animal whether: Moved by the same owner Sold Traded to a second owner

Chihuahua State Regionalization

Tuberculosis’ incidence more

than 0.05%

Check Points

21 Check points

15 Roving inspection stations

Cattle Movement Permit

Certificate of Ovariectomy-“Spaying”Zoo-sanitary Certificate

Certificate of Herd of Origin

Tuberculosis and

Brucellosis Test

Certificate of Ovariectomy

“Spaying”

Zoosanitary Certificate

Tuberculosis and

Brucellosis Test

Exportation to United States

Certificate of Herd

of Origin

Cattle Movement

Permit

Conclusion

Rules and procedures to export cattle are more strict day by day, and Mexican government & producers need to be aware of these changes in order to continue exporting cattle to the US.

Rules and procedures to export cattle from Mexico to US are strict and taken seriously by government agencies and cattle producers’ organizations

Because in Chihuahua state the income coming from cattle exports is crucial, improvements are taking place, especially in terms of animal health and cattle traceability.

Results of a Survey of Cattle Exporters in Chihuahua,

Mexico.

Objectives

Develop better information about the population of cattle exporters in Chihuahua, Mexico.

Provide an overview of how Mexican cattle exporters perceive US-Mexico cattle trade.

Introduction

Chihuahua has 24,708,700 hectares which are primarily used by the livestock industry.

Almost 90% of the total territory in Chihuahua state is used for livestock.

The cattle industry in Chihuahua state depends on rangeland grass production, which is limited by rainfall.

The export cycle or season begins in September ending in August of the following year.

Hereford Angus Limousine Charolais

The Sample

Chihuahua state is the most important cattle exporting state in Mexico.

A list of exporters was provided by the Chihuahua Cattlemen’s Organization.

503 members 143 surveys completed The number of counties included in this survey was

30 from 67

Ahumada 1Aldama 2Allende 2Bachiniva 3Balleza 4Buenaventura 1Camargo 22Coronado 4Coyame 2Cuauhtemoc 6Cusihuiriachi 6Chihuahua 4Guachochi 1Guerrero 14H. del Parral 3Jimenez 4Julimes 2Madera 6Matachi 2Matamoros 2Namiquipa 12Nonoava 3Riva Palacio 2San Bernardo, Dgo 1San Francisco de Borja 12San Francisco de Conchos 2Santa Barbara 3Satevo 9Temosachi 5

Cattle producers’ ages and years exporting to the US Years Years exporting cattle Producer’s ages

<5 24 16.7% __ __

6-10 26 18.1% __ __

11-20 50 34.9% __ __

21-30 23 16.0% 11 7.8%

31-40 13 9.0% 39 27.6%

41-50 5 3.4% 43 30.4%

>50 2 1.3% 48 34.0%

No answer __ __ 2 1.39%

Mean response 18 years 47 years

Results

Typical exported calf weight: 161-180 kilograms.

Number of cattle exported annually: Mean = 549 50 1,501-3,000

Reason for exporting cattle to US: Better prices Difficult to sell the whole lot at one time in Mexico

Exporters’ Preferred Months for

Exporting

67 68

56

37

2421 20 20 22

65

9590

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

Januar

y

Febru

ary

Mar

chApril

May

June

July

August

Septe

mber

October

Novem

ber

Decem

ber

Month

Fre

qu

enci

es

Survey for Cattle Exporters from Chihuahua, Mexico To the United

States of AmericaPercentage of producers indicating their preferred port of

entry to the United States

Palomas,

9.09%

Ojinaga,

32.87%

Santa Teresa,

58.04%

Results

Reasons for using a specific port of entry:

The location of a port-of-entry. Better facilities.

Reasons for involvement in the livestock industry:

Tradition

Attitudes toward NAFTA:

Negative impact on Mexican livestock industry, 41% Positive impact on Mexican livestock industry, 32%

Results

Problems experienced in the cattle export process:

Many sanitary requirements.

Participation in government subsidy programs for the livestock industry:

79% of the producers have participated. 55% never experienced difficulties in getting these subsidies

Evaluation of their cattle:

79% give a score between 8-10

Perception of the Future of Domestic and Export Cattle Markets

Domestic Market:

Dependent on imports: Mexico is not able to be

self sufficient in beef production.

Mexican market for beef and cattle:

Differentiated by quality

Export cattle market:

More requirements for export due to:

Animal health Sanitary concerns

Export market will be more specialized:

Types of cattle demanded by U. S. importers

Modern Cattle Management Practices

Artificial Insemination 20%

Embryo transfer 3.09%

Pregnancy detection and fertility testing 50%

Big producers generally sell breeding animals

Supplemental feed to their breeding animals

Precondition their calves prior to market 77%

Results

Breeding animal acquisition and genetic quality:

Cattle from US, 35% of the respondents.

02468

101214161820

OKLAHOM

A

ARIZONA

COLORADO

NEW M

EXICO

TEXAS

NEBRASKA

KANSAS

IOW

A

SOUTH DAKOTA

NORTH DAKOTA

NORTH CAROLI

NA

State

Pe

rce

nta

ge

Grazing Resources

Acres # Respondents % Respondents

< 247a 7 1.89%

247-1,235.5b 30 20.97%

1,235.5-2,471c 14 9.79%

2,471-5,482d 17 11.88%

5,482-12,355e 25 17.48%

>12,355f 33 23.07%

a= <100 hectares, b= 100-500 hectares, c= 500-1,000 hectares, d= 1,000-2,000 hectares, e= 2,000-5,000 hectares, f= >5,000

Conclusions

The traditional market for Chihuahua cattle producers has been steer and heifer calf exports to the U.S.

The producer/ exporters’ perceptions of the cattle export market gives an idea of how producers manage to survive in this dynamic market.

For many Mexican cattle producers, particularly those in Chihuahua state, exporting feeder calves to the United States is part of their identity.

Producers perceive the future of Mexican cattle exports to the U.S. will involve more animal health or sanitary regulations established by the U.S.

Thank You for Your Attention

Questions?

Presented by:

Cristina Carmona

November, 12 at 10:00 a.m.

Room, 375

1. Procedures for Exporting Cattle from Chihuahua, Mexico to the United States of America

2. Results of a Survey of Cattle Exporters in Chihuahua, Mexico