CALGARY, Alta. — Canada’s beef industry overcame another hurdle yesterday, when the U.S. said it would accept beef from plants that process both old and young cattle.

Until now, there have been delays getting trucks crossing the border since the U.S. had insisted any meat imported must come from plants that only process young cattle 30 months of age and younger.

“There is some relief because this is essentially a turning point for getting back on track for exporting beef products,” Claude Boissonneault of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency told local media. “We’re expecting to have export certificates ready (today) or the day after.”

The Canadian beef industry will cull 300,000 head of cattle between now and November, but the industry says that meat can be well-used through heightened importing, increased processing and donations to charity.

“We feel quite confident if we work together and work through this we can have a beneficial usage,” Dennis Laycraft, executive vice-president of the Canadian Cattleman’s Association told the Calgary Sun.

“Our intent is to have all of those cows used either commercially or as food aid and compassionate use,” said Laycraft.