Agricultural News
Oklahoma Ranch Couple Shares Their Love for Beef with Japanese Consumers
Fri, 28 Aug 2015 15:12:31 CDT
Ranchers had an opportunity to build relationships with consumers this summer in one of the nation's largest export markets for U.S. beef. Oklahoma cattle producer Chuck Coffey and his wife Ruth, traveled to Japan with other ranchers with the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF). Japan is the number export market for U.S. beef in terms of value.
"We were going over there to be able to put a face with the product that we produce and export to their country," Coffey said.
While in Japan, Coffey and the other American ranchers meet with packers, retailers, grocery store owners, as well as Japanese consumers. Coffey said they taught consumers how to barbecue and cook a steak. Typically the Japanese cook beef like Koreans, in cooking thinner cuts of beef. This group of ranchers were showing consumers how to cook a thicker cut of steak, like how Americans eat beef.
"It's more of a slow cook style, just like you would barbecue in your backyard," Coffey said.
USMEF organized several major events, including cooking demonstrations. At one event, Coffey said they had 40 families from Tokyo. These were middle aged families with young children. They were provided with grills and barbecue pits. Coffey said the group of ranchers taught them how to properly cook a steak.
Similar to the United States, Japanese consumers are interested in knowing where their food comes from. The fifth-generation rancher shared his story, in how he raises cattle with his wife of 30 years and their three children, that are all involved in the farm.
Coffey also serves as a member of the Cattlemen's Beef Board. He was appointed to the board by U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack in December 2013.
Radio Oklahoma Network Farm Director Ron Hays interviewed Chuck Coffey. Click or tap on the LISTENBAR below to hear the full interview. Chuck will join Ron this Saturday morning during our In the Field segment that will be seen on KWTV News9 in Oklahoma City- at about 6:40 AM as a part of their Saturday morning news block.
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