Russia Bans U.S Imports of Frozen Pork and Beef

Feb 11, 2013

Russia’s temporary ban on U.S meat products is due to the use of ractopamine in feed

Russia has followed through on a ban it announced last month and it has enacted a temporary ban on frozen beef and pork imports from the United States. Russian officials put the ban into place citing concerns over the use of ractopamine as a feed additive.

Ractopamine is added into feed as a way of stimulating livestock growth. The steroid-based feed additive has been banned in 160 countries. While the ban has been put into place, the US government and other meat lobbyists maintain that the additive is safe when properly used. The ban may lead to millions of dollars in financial losses to the US meat industry if the ban isn’t soon lifted.

Video: Winter Service Inspections for John Deere Equipment - The FarmCast Ep64

The FarmCast, host Troy Randall speaks with Doug Luedke, Vice President of Service, and Davin Peterson, Executive Vice President of Aftermarket at 21st Century Equipment, to discuss the importance of proactive service and how it helps farmers reduce downtime during their busiest seasons. The conversation focuses on the Winter Service Inspection Program, a comprehensive approach designed to keep equipment running at peak performance and limit costly in-season breakdowns through preventative maintenance and expert technician support.

Doug and Devin explain how 21st Century Equipment’s service teams have evolved to meet the needs of today’s connected machines. With more technology and data integrated into modern equipment, technicians now play a vital role in both mechanical repairs and precision ag support. Through advanced diagnostics, machine monitoring, and John Deere’s Expert Alerts, they can identify and address potential issues before they become major problems—saving customers valuable time, money, and frustration.

Throughout the discussion, the team shares real-world success stories demonstrating how proactive inspections and customer-focused service help maximize uptime and efficiency for every operation. Whether it’s a large tractor, combine, or small mower, the goal remains the same: to provide trusted, reliable support that helps farmers and landowners stay productive and confident in their equipment year-round.