USA develops new trade with Ecuador

May 22, 2015

New agreement could benefit Texas ranchers

As a result of a meeting consisting of delegates from the United States and Ecuador, the South American country and the United States have reached an agreement to trade cattle with one another.

The meeting, held by the Texas Department of Agriculture and included Minister Javier Ponce Cevallos, Ecuador’s undersecretary of livestock, saw Brahman cattle from Texas ranches be sold to Ecuadorian producers.

Brahman Cattle

“I’m excited to see leaders from different countries working together to improve trade relations and grow opportunities for Texas producers to market and sell their goods at home and abroad,” said Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller. “These types of trade agreements help Texas ranchers by opening new markets and showcasing the quality of Texas breeding programs.”

With Texas producing the most cattle in the United States, they could benefit greatly from the new agreement. Exports like beef, sheep and goats could also see improvements.

“The Ecuadorian breeders are known for demanding quality cattle,” said Sloan Williams, owner of V8 Ranch. “We are so honored that the Ministry of Agriculture officials came to Texas ranches to select our highest quality bulls for this historic exportation. I am certain that these Texas-bred bulls will be an asset to the agriculture industry of Ecuador, and I look forward to seeing their impact."

Here’s how trade between the United States and Ecuador breaks down:

US agricultural exports to Ecuador in 2013 were $424 million. Most exported items were soybean meal, wheat and cotton
Ecuador exported $987 million worth of agricultural products to the US in 2013. Bananas and plantains, nursery products and cocoa beans were the leading export items.

Tell us your thoughts on the new trade agreement with the United States and Ecuador. As a livestock producer are you optimistic about the opportunities this could bring?

Video: Sweetener Effects on Gut Health - Dr. Kwangwook Kim

In this episode of The Swine Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. Kwangwook Kim, Assistant Professor at Michigan State University, discusses the use of non-nutritive sweeteners in nursery pig diets. He explains how sucralose and neotame influence feed intake, gut health, metabolism, and the frequency of diarrhea compared to antibiotics. The conversation highlights mechanisms beyond palatability, including hormone signaling and nutrient transport. Listen now on all major platforms!

“Receptors responsible for sweet taste are present not only in the mouth but also along the intestinal tract.”

Meet the guest: Dr. Kwangwook Kim / kwangwook-kim is an Assistant Professor at Michigan State University, specializing in swine nutrition and feed additives under disease challenge models. He earned his M.S. and Ph.D. in Animal Sciences from the University of California, Davis, where he focused on intestinal health and metabolic responses in pigs. His research evaluates alternatives to antibiotics, targeting gut health and performance in nursery pigs.