08/15/06 U.S. beef sales in Japan

American Rancher August 15, 2006 Now that U.S. beef is back in Japan how are early sales doing? The USDA says the first batch of U.S. beef to hit three Costco stores in Japan last week sold out in the first day. USDA livestock economist Ron Gustafson says that's at least a good first step in regaining the Japanese market. Gustafson: "In addition to the beef that is currently being sold at Costco is also some of the beef that was in cold storage from when we were shut off from the market in January, that's also going to be marketed. So, overall we are going to have a fairly good chance over the next couple of weeks to see how high quality U.S. beef moves back into that market." Although the initial sales reports are encouraging Gustafson says it will take time for U.S. beef to get back to the levels it had in 2003 before the first ban on U.S. beef due to BSE. Some people in the industry say it could take up to three years to regain that market share. Coming up this Friday August 18th is the Eastern Oregon Agricultural Research Center Union Station Field Day. It will be held at the Wallowa County Fairgrounds and include a tour of the Zumwalt Prairie. The Field Day, which begins at 8:30 a.m. will feature results of grazing and natural resource research efforts throughout Northeast Oregon. I'm Bob Hoff.