Agribusiness Update for Thursday 02/12/15

Japan's Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare approved the import of processed beef products from the U.S. at the end of January. It's been two years since the eligible cattle age limit for U.S. beef entering Japan increased to 30-months. U.S. beef exports to Japan were valued at nearly 1.4-billion dollars in 2013. Meat processors in Japan currently use U.S. raw materials to produce processed beef items but having the ability to export finished processed items allows exporters to choose product options that best meet customers' needs.

REAP dollars are again available. Through the Rural Energy for America Program - USDA is making more than 280-million dollars available to eligible rural agricultural producers and small business owners to purchase and install renewable energy systems or make energy efficiency improvements. This funding will help farmers, ranchers, business owners and others incorporate renewable energy and energy efficiency technology into their operations - which can help a business reduce energy use and costs while improving its bottom line.

That's today's Agribusiness Update from the Ag Information Network of the West.