U.S. cattle producer sees great opportunity in China's beef market (2)

"They come on site to each of our participating farms once a year and ordered our records. Look at all of our medicine cabinets and check everything to be sure that our claim of non-hormone treated can be verified by them as a third party," said Vaughn.

Additionally, even if the beef was exported to thousands of miles away, Vaughn said it is completely traceable.

"The way that tracing is done, is that we put a small electronic device in the cattle's ear," said Vaughn, adding that the electronics would stay in the cattle through harvest.

"So if our beef were to arrive at a destination in a foreign country and be tested and found that I had made a false claim, they could trace that straight back to me," he said.

WISH FOR A WIN-WIN TRADE DEAL

Speaking of the ongoing trade talks between China and the United States, Vaughn would like "the negotiators on the American side" to "listen to the industry experts."

"We just need to be allowed to show the world how to do it without a bunch of unrelated issues getting in our way," said Vaughn.

"Let us compete on our merits," said Vaughn, "let the cattle industry that can produce the best, safest beef in the world compete on the world stage."

If the United States and China could reach a trade deal that gives more market access for cattle farmers like him, Vaughn believes he could further expand their farms' capacity.

"I have two sons that you've met, and we're trying to take our farm to at least five hundred head," said Vaughn, "If we had better market access, which would be a price driver, would drive the price up, it would be easier for us to expand."

For the even bigger picture, Vaughn sees a good trade deal as a great opportunity for all his fellow cattle farmers, since "there is a serious amount of capacity available for expansion in the United States."