U.S. cattle producers were in Japan this past week working to strengthen demand for American beef. North Dakota rancher and National Cattlemen’s Beef Association Federation Division Chair Travis Maddock was part of a U.S. Meat Export Federation trade mission. “Our corn-fed beef is thought very highly of in Japan,” Maddock said. “We also export about 80 percent of our tongues to Japan, and beef tongue is a delicacy over here.” He said Japan is a strong market for both high-quality cuts and variety meats. The mission connected U.S. farmers and ranchers directly with Japanese buyers. Maddock said those conversations give customers a chance to learn how U.S. beef is raised and build confidence in its quality. “It’s all about relationship building.”
