Grant will help
Department with market development activities
Helena, Mont. – The Montana Department of Agriculture
(MDA) has been awarded $52,158 from USDA’s Quality Samples Program (QSP) to
further develop the market for U.S. beef genetics in Nicaragua. Through January
2020, MDA will use the funds to send semen and embryos from Montana ranches to
Nicaragua.
“This is great news for Montana seedstock producers,” said MDA
Director Ben Thomas. “Our beef genetics are known worldwide for their high
quality, and with Nicaragua being the largest cattle producing country in
Central America, we feel this will become an important and fruitful
relationship for Montana.”
The award comes on the heels of a series of successful MDA trade
missions with Nicaragua. In March 2017, MDA staff accompanied Montana ranchers
on an outbound trade mission to Nicaragua. The trip included visits with
feedlot owners, slaughterhouse operators, and ranchers, who discussed the need
for higher quality meat and faster processing times. Then, in October 2017, MDA
hosted Nicaraguan cattlemen for visits to several Montana ranches and a stop at
the NILE livestock show, where they viewed the high quality genetics
first-hand.
Montana is recognized on a national and international level for
exceptional genetics, and has been referred to as the “seedstock capitol of the
world”, due in large part to the hard work and foresight of the state’s
producers in perfecting their herds.
The QSP enables potential customers around the world to discover
the quality and benefits of U.S. agricultural products. For more information on
the program, visit: https://www.fas.usda.gov/programs/quality-samples-program-qsp
The Montana Department of Agriculture’s mission is to protect
producers and consumers, and to enhance and develop agriculture and allied
industries. For more information on the Montana Department of
Agriculture, visit agr.mt.gov.