Opening of Japanese beef markets hailed as good news

TORRINGTON – The announcement last week of Japan lifting its years-long ban on imports of beef from the United States is good news for Wyo-Braska producers, but it may not be the overarching panacea some in Washington, D.C., might want people to think.

“I’m very cautiously optimistic,” said Ivan Rush, retired University of Nebraska Extension beef specialist and a board member of the U.S. Meat Export Federation, a market group supporting U.S. producers on the world market.

“I am optimistic, I am thrilled,” Rush said. “We’re making some progress, but I still have concerns with our international...