USMEF still helping Japan recovery

A delegation from Nebraska's beef, soybean and corn industries recently visited Japan where they are still helping the victims of the March earthquake and Tsunami that devastated Japan. Bill Luckey of the Nebraska Soybean Board says "it really opens your eyes.

You realise that even though the story is out of the media, it's still affecting a lot of people. The effects are long lasting and they're still going to need help. Some of the delegates saw that mothers were feeding their children with American beef. Read more ...

This blog is written by Martin Little, The Global Miller, published and supported by the GFMT Magazine and the International Milling Directory from Perendale Publishers

Japan Autumn recovery expected by CEO of Ajinomoto

Ajinomoto food and ingredients maker CEO expects Japans economy to recover by the Autumn from the effects of the tsunami and earthquake that devastated the region in March. Masatoshi Ito told the Dow Jones "that the Japanese economy was just about to get over the Lehman Brothers shock of 2008 and getting into a mode of growth".

He also said "The fundamental infrastructure was [there] for the recovery mode and, although there were effects from the earthquake, the final impact will not be that great,” he went to to say. "Especially in consumer goods, sales for April and May have been very stable," he said. "Although there are certain sectors of the industry that have been heavily affected by the earthquake, we believe that by the autumn much of the economy will recover". Read more ...

This blog is written by Martin Little, The Global Miller, published and supported by the GFMT Magazine and the International Milling Directory from Perendale Publishers

Japan’s compound feed situation after earthquake

Since the earthquake and subsequent tsunami stuck Japan on March 11, surrounding Japanese feed millers have stepped up to fulfil the demand in the affected area, the US Grains Council’s Tokyo office reports.

“With the flow of compound feed from outside areas, combined with feed produced in some of the mills in the Tohoku area which were capable of working, livestock farms in the Tohoku area could get roughly half of its normal demand during the month since the earthquake,” said Hiroko Sakashita, USGC associate director in Japan.

While livestock in the Tohoku area are on a significantly reduced feed ration, a livestock expert informed the Council that animals will survive but will experience some growth reductions. Read more ...

This blog is written by Martin Little The Global Miller, published and supported by the GFMT Magazine and International Milling Directory from Perendale Publishers

State beef councils unite to support Japanese disaster relief

Japan continues to suffer aftershocks following the March earthquake and tsunami, which may go down in history as the world's most costly natural disaster. US beef producers are committing to relief efforts.

The US Meat Export Federation approached the beef checkoff about joining an industry relief campaign to buy and send beef to Japan to help feed homeless, injured and displaced citizens. When the executive committee of the Federation of State Beef Councils met in late March and discussed supporting this critical international need, Vice Chairman Craig Uden says the decision was unanimous. Read more ...

This blog is written by Martin Little The Global Miller, published and supported by the GFMT Magazine and International Milling Directory from Perendale Publishers

Grains Council provides update on Earthquake Impact

US agriculture is watching the situation in Japan very closely in the wake of the earthquake and subsequent tsunami that devastated areas of the country late last week. US Grains Council Senior Director of International Operations Mike Callahan reports staff at the Council's Tokyo office have checked in, are safe and have been able to return to the office.

"Obviously our staff can't get into the area that was impacted by the earthquake and tsunami," Callahan said. "So they pretty much have to rely upon information that's conveyed to them from our contacts in the feed industry and the grain trade." Read more ...

This blog is written by Martin Little The Global Miller, published and supported by the GFMT Magazine from Perendale Publishers.

USGC: Japan earthquake impacts grain trade

The United States Grains Council (USGC) received initial reports that the earthquake and subsequent tsunami may have caused significant damage to many of Japan’s agricultural facilities and production areas. While the extent of the damage is not yet known, it will likely impact grain trade.

“Some ports in northern Japan, Kushiro, Hachinohe, Ishinomaki and Kashima, were hit by the tsunami. We’ve heard some feed mills and livestock operations have also been damaged by the tsunami. Those facilities were not severely damaged by the earthquake itself but were affected by the tsunami,” said Tommy Hamamoto, USGC director in Japan. “It is too early to tell what effect this will have on Japan’s agricultural sector, but it could be of significance.” Read more ...

This blog is written by Martin Little The Global Miller, published and supported by the GFMT Magazine from Perendale Publishers.