Japan Expected to Lift Ban on U.S. Beef

A big announcement for cattlemen across the country. Japan is planning to lift its ban on U.S. beef. For drought stricken rachers, the news couldn`t have come at a better time. In Texas, it doesn`t get much bigger than the beef business. Rancher Mike Daniel has been in it for more than 20 years. "You got to take the good with the bad," Daniel said while loading up a dozen head of cattle. Here lately it seems the bad days have been out numbering the good. Back in 2003, the Japanese government banned U.S. beef after mad cow disease was found in an American heard. But Japanese officials have agreed to open the beef trade back up. "Its really going to help. Its been a touch and go situation for sometime. This will hopefully improve the market," said Daniel. Before the ban, Japan was the top importer of U.S. beef, buying 240,000 tonnes valued at $1.4 billion in 2003. Ford Rochelle`s family makes a living buying and selling cattle. Last month, nearly ten thousand moved through barns at J&J Livestock Company. Rochelle thinks lifting the beef ban will help reduce an already flooded market. "The Japanese are going to take high quality beef, choice carcass cattle is really what they use. Its a premium for the people that raise those animals." Japanese officials are expected to make an announcement Thursday. Senate leaders had threatened economic sanctions against Japan if it failed to open its borders to U.S. beef by the end of the summer.