Farms.com Home   News

USMEF Leads Team of Japanese Importers on Study of U.S. Beef Production

A team of buyers from major Japanese beef importers visited the U.S. recently to learn about U.S. beef production practices. The team, comprised of female buyers, visited USMEF headquarters in Denver before getting an in-depth view of beef production in Kansas and Idaho. USMEF Japan Marketing Director Tatsuru Kasatani and Senior Director of Consumer Affairs Tazuko Hijikata led the team on visits to the National Beef processing facility in Dodge City, Kan., and the True West Beef processing facility in Jerome, Idaho.

In between plant visits, team members visited a feedlot and ranch in Idaho and met with T.K. Kuwahara of Idaho Beef Council, Jackie Madill of Washington State Beef Commission and Will Wise of Oregon Beef Council. The team also observed merchandising trends at retail stores and dined at restaurants featuring grain-fed American steaks and burgers.

“It was the first time most of the team members had visited U.S. cattle and beef operations. They were very impressed by the passion of the people who work in the industry and how carefully the entire production process is managed,” said Kasatani.

Jay Theiler, executive vice president of corporate affairs for Agri Beef and USMEF’s chair-elect, also met with the team and accompanied them on a tour of the True West Beef processing facility in Jerome, Idaho.

Click here to see more...

Trending Video

Dr. Jay Johnson: Bioenergetics of Heat Stress in Sows

Video: Dr. Jay Johnson: Bioenergetics of Heat Stress in Sows

The Swine Health Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. Jay Johnson from the University of Missouri explores the bioenergetics of heat stress in gestating sows and how it affects growth and fat deposition. He discusses energy partitioning, thermoregulation, and genetic strategies to improve thermal tolerance without compromising productivity. Listen now on all major platforms!

"Gestating sows under heat stress grow faster than those in thermoneutral conditions, with much of that growth going into backfat."

Meet the guest: Dr. Jay Johnson earned his Ph.D. from Iowa State University and is now an Associate Professor of Animal Welfare and Stress Physiology at the University of Missouri. His research focuses on heat stress, swine productivity, and practical welfare innovations through physiology and genomics.