Asia PacificJapan farm minister won't ease beef rule for U.S.Japan's new Agr...

Asia Pacific
Japan farm minister won't ease beef rule for U.S.
Japan's new Agriculture Minister Toshikatsu Matsuoka said on Wednesday he would follow the stance set by his predecessor of rejecting a U.S. proposal to start discussions on easing beef trade rules later this year.

U.S. Beef Group Spends on Ads, Barbecues to Woo Japan Consumers
The U.S. Meat Export Federation is running full page ads in Japanese newspapers that cost as much as 79 million yen ($681,000) each to convince consumers American beef is safe to eat.

Most S. Koreans To Select 'Hanwoo' Beef Over US Imports
Nearly 90 percent of South Koreans said they would choose to eat domestic beef even if imports of U.S. beef are resumed, according to a survey released Wednesday by a civic group.

Europe
East Anglian farmers see average profits drop 70%
Farmers in East Anglia are making only a third of the profits they made 10 years ago, according to a survey of farmers in the region.

United States
Johanns announces funds for Iraqi ag infrastructure support
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns on Monday announced the U.S. Department of Agriculture is requesting proposals from U.S. land-grant institutions to strengthen agricultural extension and training at Iraqi agricultural universities.

Mentors teach new Nebraska ranchers about sustainable grazing
A rancher-organized and driven grazing and ranch management mentor program is providing grassland guidance and counsel to those new to ranching or to western Nebraska.

Asia Pacific
Japan farm minister won't ease beef rule for U.S.
Japan's new Agriculture Minister Toshikatsu Matsuoka said on Wednesday he would follow the stance set by his predecessor of rejecting a U.S. proposal to start discussions on easing beef trade rules later this year.

U.S. Beef Group Spends on Ads, Barbecues to Woo Japan Consumers
The U.S. Meat Export Federation is running full page ads in Japanese newspapers that cost as much as 79 million yen ($681,000) each to convince consumers American beef is safe to eat.

Most S. Koreans To Select 'Hanwoo' Beef Over US Imports
Nearly 90 percent of South Koreans said they would choose to eat domestic beef even if imports of U.S. beef are resumed, according to a survey released Wednesday by a civic group.

Europe
East Anglian farmers see average profits drop 70%
Farmers in East Anglia are making only a third of the profits they made 10 years ago, according to a survey of farmers in the region.

United States
Johanns announces funds for Iraqi ag infrastructure support
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns on Monday announced the U.S. Department of Agriculture is requesting proposals from U.S. land-grant institutions to strengthen agricultural extension and training at Iraqi agricultural universities.

Mentors teach new Nebraska ranchers about sustainable grazing
A rancher-organized and driven grazing and ranch management mentor program is providing grassland guidance and counsel to those new to ranching or to western Nebraska.