Korea Opens Doors to All US Beef

From the Farm Online Web site

Korea has agreed to open its borders to all beef products from the United States for the first time since the North American BSE outbreak in 2003, but the US re-entry into Australia's third largest market will be gradual.

Korea's Ministry of Food, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MFAFF) and US Trade Representative Susan Schwab on Saturday, April 19, 2008, announced the breakthrough ahead of the April 20 th Washington summit between South Korean President Lee Myung-bak and US President George W. Bush.

The deal will allow US beef from cattle of all ages to be sold in Korea in accordance with the rules set down by the World Animal Health Organization (OIE). Read the rest of the story on the Farm Online Web site.

Cattle Theft Nets Guilty Verdict

By Barry Porterfield, Staff Writer Pauls Valley Daily Democrat

Originally published on the Pauls Valley Daily Democrat Web site

Garvin County authorities are hoping a conviction this week sends out a strong message to anyone thinking about some modern-day cattle rustling.

Nearly three hours of jury deliberation on April 16, 2008, ended a three-day trial in a Pauls Valley courtroom with a guilty verdict for Jimmy Monroe Jeter, 73, of Davis.

Jeter was facing a jury trial on the accusation he attempted to steal cattle early last year at a site in far southern Garvin County. Read more on the Pauls Valley Daily Democrat Web site.

USDA Announces $267 Million Rural Broadband Loan

From USDA Press Release

USDA Rural Development Under Secretary Thomas C. Dorr today announced on March 25, 2008, that Open Range Communications, headquartered in Denver, CO, has been approved to receive a $267 million loan from USDA Rural Development to provide broadband service to 518 rural communities in 17 states.

This partnership will address the significant need to deploy wireless, portable broadband connectivity to improve service in considerable portions of rural America. The commitment by USDA and Open Range represents one of the largest public-private investments for broadband service by the federal government. Read more on the USDA Web site