U.S. Beef Battle Ends with Taiwan

Jul 30, 2012

Taiwanese Government Lifts Ban on U.S. Beef Imports

The Taiwanese government lifted its six year ban over U.S .beef imports. The Taiwanese legislature passed a bill to lift the ban on U.S. beef. The ban was originally implemented in December 2003 with the mad cow scare and in 2009 the Taiwanese government partially removed the ban allowing cattle over 30 months of age. There have also been concerns that US beef contained ractopamine, a feed additive that’s designed to enhance meat leanness. Taiwan rejects all meat imports with traces of ractopamine. Other countries including China and the European Union also reject the additive.

During this six year period, US beef exports went from 10% to under 4% of Taiwan’s total beef imports. According to the U.S. Meat Export Federation, Taiwan is the sixth largest export country for U.S. beef. There was some opposition in Taiwan from the Democratic Party that protested the bill.

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.