2011 first year ever that the US has been a net exporter of beef.

[Kevin_Penner]

2011 exports were record large

Totaled 2,788.3 Mil Lbs,

Imports totaled 2,056.3 Mil Lbs,

Annual net beef trade totaled 732 Mil Lbs.

This marks the first year ever that the US has been a net exporter of beef.

[k-289]

I find it really interesting that we find exports back to pre " BSE event" and a world in border line resecssion and record high prices and we have these export volumes---seems if this growth policy would have been implamented the past decade would have saved several operations from extinction ---if we really have"free enterprize" I have never under stood a  ""manditory ""  beef check off ---