Growing Demand In Asia Drives US Beef Exports Beyond Expectations In 2016 - Can We Keep It Up

Feb 10, 2017

The final numbers illustrating 2016’s beef export performance are in and they look really good. Phil Seng is president of the US Meat Export Federation. He said recently the reason driving these figures is a growing global dynamic in the way the world consumes protein. He says the industry is watching a push around the world, particularly in Asia, for more a beefy diet.

“It looks like this year we’re going to finish exports over 10 percent as far as our export performance,” Seng reported. “That’s a significant growth compared to where we’ve been.”

Part of that he says, are the many inroads that have been made with developing markets such as Korea, where exports into that country have grown to 38 percent, replacing Australia with the US as the Asian nation’s top beef supplier. In Japan, too, Seng reports that American beef exports are up dramatically. The same goes for Taiwan, Mexico and Canada. Strange to think since many of these markets were considered developed and mature.

“Just because a market is developed doesn’t mean it doesn’t continue developing,” retorts Seng. “We’re seeing all kinds of dynamics in Japan and I think that the changing nature of food consumption, especially meat consumption is allowing for more of it to come in.”

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.