NEW MEXICO DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE MSC 3189, P.O Box 30005 - Las Cruces, New Mexico 88003-8005 Office of the Director/Secretary Dr. I. Miley Gonzalez, Director/Secretary
MEDIA ADVISORY	Fax: (575) 646-8120

Las Cruces, NM—

New Mexico Department of Agriculture (NMDA) wishes to inform breeders that United States Livestock Genetics Export (USLGE) has received funds which will be available to private breeders, companies, or cooperatives interested in promoting livestock, semen, or embryo sales in international markets through December 31, 2009.  These funds are available through the Market Access Program (MAP) of the Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) within the United States Department of Agriculture.

USLGE sponsors and administers the branded program with the goal of helping the livestock industry increase the international demand for United States livestock and genetics.

MAP funding is used to supplement, but not supplant, private funds that would be used for promotional activities.

The MAP branded program provides for partial reimbursement (up to 50 percent) of approved activities such as international advertising; the development, translation, and distribution of promotional materials; and participation in foreign trade shows and exhibitions.  Funds cannot be used for travel or personnel reimbursement.  An administrative fee is charged to participate in the program.

The allocation of these funds will be made to eligible participants on a fair and equitable basis as set by FAS and consistent with the goals and objectives of the MAP program as outlined by Congress.  Funding criteria is based upon available funding, anticipated economic impact, and the completeness of the application.

Applications will be considered throughout the year pending availability of funding.

Interested parties should request an FY09 MAP Branded Application and Program Guidelines booklet from USLGE, 413 North Broadway, Suite C, Salem, Illinois 62881, Phone: (618) 548 9154, Fax: (618) 548-9709, e-mail uslge@uslge.org.

For further information please contact Benjamin Segovia, NMDA Livestock Marketing Specialist, at (575) 646-4929 or bsegovia@nmda.nmsu.edu.