US, S. Korea Reach Beef Deal

'MBA' certificate program aimed at 21 and younger demographic

(AP) - After a five-decade slide in US meat consumption, the national beef industry is enlisting college students across the country in its public relations fight for America's hearts, minds, and stomachs. The Masters of Beef Advocacy program, or MBA, typically recruits farmers, ranchers, high-end chefs and school dietitians to spread the gospel of red meat consumption, but recently, the National Cattlemen's Beef Association's outreach effort is placing a strong emphasis on the Twitter generation. Or at least they're trying to. Participants earn this "MBA" by doing a six-hour online course in beef safety, production techniques, animal care, and nutrition. More»

We're No. 2! We're No. 2!

(USER SUBMITTED) - When it comes to business, Americans have long been used to being on top—but oh, how the mighty have fallen in some arenas. 24/7 Wall Street breaks down the top 10 industries in which "Made in the USA" doesn't dominate as it once did:

• Autos—High labor costs and falling market share have put mighty Detroit behind Japan, the home to Toyota, Honda, Nissan, and Mazda.
• Coal—China now pulls about three times more of the black stuff out of the ground than we do.

Big supermarket tried to price little guys out of the market

(NEWSER) - One of South Korea's biggest supermarkets began selling a bucket of fried chicken for about four bucks this week, which wouldn't ordinarily seem like a big deal. But "few food products have left so much turbulence in their greasy wake, or revealed so clearly the insecurities that haunt Asia's fourth-largest economy," writes Leo Lewis at the Australian . The problem is that the price is about 60% cheaper than any competitor, leading to allegations of "fried chicken dumping," government intervention, and debates on big-business-vs-small-business ethics. More»

Could mean tens of thousands of jobs for US

(NEWSER) - The Obama administration has completed a free-trade agreement with South Korea that it expects to jack US exports by billions and create at least 70,000 jobs. The deal, the largest since NAFTA 16 years ago, was reached yesterday after trade reps for both sides reached a deal on automobile tariffs, reports the New York Times. It must be ratified by both countries' legislatures, and heads to Congress next year. More»

Cattle vaccine could curb strain of deadly bacteria

(NEWSER) - New vaccines are being tested that could make tainted beef scandals a thing of the past. The vaccines—currently undergoing large-scale trials after decades of bureaucratic delays—make cattle immune to the strain of E.Coli that kills dozens and sickens thousands of Americans every year. Scientists believe the combination of vaccination and slaughterhouse safeguards can prevent the surge in E. Coli cases that happens every summer. More»