Taiwan U.S. Beef Dispute Not Over

Jul 30, 2012

U.S. and Taiwan to Resume Trade Talks

The announcement made by the Taiwanese government to lift its ban on U.S. beef is conditional. It’s expected that Taiwan and the U.S will begin their discussion over the resumption of six year stalled trade talks in October 2012. The resumed discussions will take place under the Trade and Investment Framework Agreement. This news comes after the Taiwanese governments passed amendments to its food and safety act to conditionally allow important on U.S. beef containing ractopamine – a drug that has been previously banned. The drug is administered to livestock to enhance meat tenderness.

The key condition revolving around the ban is restrictions over safe traces of ractopamine levels. Representatives from the U.S. Congress seem optimistic that the two parties will be able to solve the trade dispute and agree upon a full-fledged trade agreement.

Video: Winter Service Inspections for John Deere Equipment - The FarmCast Ep64

The FarmCast, host Troy Randall speaks with Doug Luedke, Vice President of Service, and Davin Peterson, Executive Vice President of Aftermarket at 21st Century Equipment, to discuss the importance of proactive service and how it helps farmers reduce downtime during their busiest seasons. The conversation focuses on the Winter Service Inspection Program, a comprehensive approach designed to keep equipment running at peak performance and limit costly in-season breakdowns through preventative maintenance and expert technician support.

Doug and Devin explain how 21st Century Equipment’s service teams have evolved to meet the needs of today’s connected machines. With more technology and data integrated into modern equipment, technicians now play a vital role in both mechanical repairs and precision ag support. Through advanced diagnostics, machine monitoring, and John Deere’s Expert Alerts, they can identify and address potential issues before they become major problems—saving customers valuable time, money, and frustration.

Throughout the discussion, the team shares real-world success stories demonstrating how proactive inspections and customer-focused service help maximize uptime and efficiency for every operation. Whether it’s a large tractor, combine, or small mower, the goal remains the same: to provide trusted, reliable support that helps farmers and landowners stay productive and confident in their equipment year-round.