Currently, I’m enrolled in a course at SDSU called International Media. Over the duration of a semester, my peers and I have monitored news across the globe, paying specific attention to what the rest of the world has to say about the U.S. election, the economic crisis and even our Hollywood stars and national sports teams. It seems the world is constantly watching the United States, weighing our moves and digesting the rippling effect those moves have on their respective homelands. With the South Korean beef export market open once again to accept U.S. beef and with current negotiations with Taiwan’s restrictions of U.S. beef, it’s time cattlemen start paying attention to what’s going on in the global marketplace, as well.

I found an article in the Jogging Daily, a South Korean newspaper, that isn’t exactly thrilled to see U.S. beef on supermarket shelves again. The article is titled, “The Real Cost of Beef,” and I greatly encourage you to check it out to see what the South Korean media has to say. It certainly gave me a better insight on what some of the people there are really thinking, and reading these type of articles helps to comprehend the challenges we have in the global marketplace.

What is truly amazing to me is that in just 4 days, U.S. beef sales in Korea have topped 200 tons. Certainly, there is a demand for great tasting, affordable American beef, and I appreciate every effort by the government and the Beef Checkoff program to make sure beef continues to star at the center of the dinner plate.

So take some time this week to do a little extra research to learn more about what’s going on in the beef industry on a global scale. I know it’s sometimes easy to get too busy with chores and farm work that extra reading often gets put on the back burner. Be sure to check out the links I have provided in this blog entry. They will give you a good start on your research. The better educated we are, the greater chance we have to find success around the globe. Stop back with your comments. Happy reading!