April/May 2025 NEBRASKA CATTLEMAN 21 impasse severely disrupted exports to this promising market, but thankfully was resolved after about six months. It is also important to note that no other trading partner banned or restricted U.S. beef due to avian influenza, which was a victory in its own right. Approval of U.S. packing plants for export can also be a contentious issue, and USMEF is working diligently to ensure that our trading partners’ approval processes are fair, timely and transparent. This is essential for providing opportunities for more U.S. plants – especially new entrants into the export business – to reap the benefits of global demand. Of course, the important promotional and technical work USMEF performs to help expand international opportunities for U.S. red meat would not be possible without strong producer support. I am proud to point out that Nebraska really stands out in this area, as USMEF receives funding not only from our state’s beef, pork and lamb industries, but also from corn and soybean producers. This support helps USMEF qualify for international marketing funds provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture through the Market Access Program, the Foreign Market Development Program and the newly created Regional Agricultural Promotion Program. Nebraska farmers and ranchers have long understood the importance of serving customers beyond our own borders, and our support for USMEF is a great example of this commitment. I encourage my fellow producers to keep a positive outlook on international trade – something that’s not always easy in the current political environment. While all the talk of tariffs, tensions and trade wars can be deafening, let’s remember the strides our industry made under the first Trump administration. For example, the U.S.-China Phase One Agreement finally gave U.S. beef meaningful access to China, for the first time since the market closed due to BSE back in 2003. The Trump administration also negotiated the U.S.-Japan Trade Agreement, which provided relief from the highest beef tariffs in the world and put U.S. beef back on a level playing field with Japan’s imports from Australia, New Zealand, Canada and elsewhere. Renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement was also completed during the first Trump administration, resulting in the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), which maintained duty-free access for U.S. beef exports to our North American neighbors. Even in Europe, where U.S. beef still faces a range of trade barriers, an agreement was reached to allow more U.S. product to enter the market duty-free. So, moving forward, I see many reasons to be optimistic about international trade, especially if we embrace a more aggressive agricultural trade agenda and remain committed to breaking down trade barriers. When given the opportunity to compete, I am confident that U.S. beef will continue to shine – both at home and abroad. ~NC~ Editor’s Note: Steve Hanson, a rancher and cattle feeder from Elsie, is a past president of the Nebraska Cattlemen, a past chair of the Nebraska Beef Council and current chair of the U.S. Meat Export Federation. nelottery.com Must be 19. Free problem gambling help for Nebraskansat problemgambling.nebraska.gov. Top prize odds 1:336,000 Ford Motor Company Trademarks and Trade Dress used under license to Scientific Games, LLC. TRUCKS & BUCKS® & © 2025 Scientific Games, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Play TRUCK$ & BUCK$® and you could win one of eight gray 2025 FORD F-150 XLT Trucks! The vehicle shown is for illustration purposes only and prize awarded may not be represented.
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