(MAD-COW/FTA AGREEMENT) Under the United States-Korea Free Trade Agreement, a full 80 percent of U.S. exports to Korea become duty-free on March 15, 2012. The agreement is presented by the Obama administration as a way to refurbish the nations' manufacturing base through the sale of "Made-in-America" goods, services, and agricultural products to the Korean market. Nearly 95 percent of bilateral trade in consumer and industrial products will become duty free within five years of that date. Most of the remaining tariffs would be eliminated within the next 10 years according to the Office of the United States Trade Representative website. The rapid recovery of Korea's economy lifted U.S. consumer-ready exports to more than $1.4 billion in 2003—49 percent of total U.S. agricultural exports to Korea. Trade in beef disappeared in 2004 because of the discovery of a case of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE, or "mad cow" disease) in a U.S. cow at the end of 2003. In addition, poultry meat exports to South Korea suffered from a temporary embargo on trade in 2004 after an outbreak of Avian Influenza in the United States. Oranges, orange juice, frozen vegetables—especially french fries—sweet corn, and a large variety of processed foods and beverages make up the rest of this trade. Trade in these products continues to grow as Korea's economy expands. They represented 33 percent of U.S. agricultural exports to Korea in 2010. Seoul's resumption of U.S. beef imports in 2008 sparked daily candlelight vigils and street protests for several months as many South Koreans still regarded the meat as a public health risk. South Korea imports U.S. beef from cows less than 30 months old and there is no direct link between U.S. beef imported into South Korea and the infected animal, the country's agriculture ministry said in a statement. The infected U.S. cow was older than 30 months. The latest mad cow case may jeopardize moves to expand American beef sales in Taiwan, where the government recently sparked protests by allowing sales of U.S. beef containing ractopamine, a growth additive. Taiwan's legislature on Wednesday indefinitely postponed a planned discussion on U.S. beef imports. It is likely the government engineered the delay, fearing that the opposition would stoke sentiment against U.S. beef. There was no immediate response from China's government. Beijing no longer has an outright ban on U.S. beef but exporters have been unable to overcome continued barriers involving inspection of the meat. Hong Kong's food safety regulator said it was staying in close contact with U.S. authorities who had confirmed the cow was not slaughtered for human consumption American dairy to benefit from U.S.-Korea FTA The U.S. Dairy Export Council and the National Milk Producers Federation are welcoming the launch today of the Korea-U.S. Free Trade Agreement(KORUS), saying it is the most economically significant U.S. FTA in nearly two decades. The groups took the lead role in working with U.S. government officials to represent industry interests during trade negotiations, they stated in a press release today. The FTA provides immediate zero tariff access for whey for feed use, as well as duty-free access for a total of 16,000 tons of cheese, milk powders, whey for food use and other products. The agreement also calls for most of Korea's remaining tariffs to be phased out in 5 to 10 years. First-year access alone for dairy food products equates to 270 million pounds of U.S.-produced milk, said Jerry Kozak, president and CEO of NMPF. Consumption of U.S. dairy products in Korea has risen steadily. U.S. cheese exports to Korea grew 75 percent in 2011, reaching nearly 72 million pounds, making the U.S. the largest supplier with a 43 percent market share. The groups expect KORUS to further encourage this trend as the terms of the FTA come into effect and influence food prices in Korea. While there is no cookie cutter design for freestall barns that accommodates the needs of all herds, there are some rules of thumb. Holstein breeders gathered on March 23, at Sunnyside Dairy Farm near Valders to learn from Manitowoc County UW-Extension agent Scott Gunderson how modern dairy facilities can be functional and comfortable for large-framed cows. Sunnyside Dairy was the first stop in a series of spring barn meetings hosted throughout the state by the Wisconsin Holstein Association. Todd Borgwardt and his uncle Bill own the dairy in partnership, representing several generations of the Borgwardt family as renowned Registered Holstein breeders. Todd’s father Roger continues to be involved on the farm, and his cousin Cory joined the operation two years ago. “Breed for type, manage for production” is the philosophy at Sunnyside Dairy. And the Borgwardts have done just that. With a rolling herd average of 27,305, they have achieved notable production on their 250-cow herd. At the same time, they continue to focus on the tradition of type, with their most recent classification resulting in 6 Excellent cows, 40 Very Good, 80 Good Plus and 33 Good milking females. http://www.agriview.com/news/dairy/sunnyside-dairy-focuses-on-comfort-for-large-cows/article_3dbf0586-7f6f-11e1-9731-001a4bcf887a.html Sunnyside dairy http://www.manta.com/c/mm76h60/benjert-farm-inc