USMEF in the News
RFD-TV’s Live Interview with Newly Elected USMEF Chair Jay Theiler
Just minutes after he was officially elected USMEF chair, Jay Theiler spoke live with RFD-TV anchor Suzanne Alexander about his long history as a USMEF member and his priorities for the coming year.
Theiler, who is executive vice president of corporate affairs for Boise, Idaho-based Agri Beef Company, discussed the importance of differentiating the quality and consistency of U.S. red meat and defending hard-earned market share in established destinations such as Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and Mexico.
Theiler also stressed the importance of identifying and developing emerging markets in regions such as Southeast Asia, Latin America and Africa. Watch the interview HERE.
Brownfield Interviews USMEF Chair Jay Theiler, Latin America Representative Homero Recio and USMCA Panelists
Meghan Grebner, broadcast supervisor for Brownfield Ag News, provided on-site coverage of the USMEF Strategic Planning Conference in Indianapolis. In this segment, she speaks with newly elected USMEF Chair Jay Theiler about his priorities for the coming year. They also discuss the state of U.S.-China trade relations and the importance of expanding and diversifying destinations for U.S. red meat. Listen to the interview HERE.
In a Healthy Living feature, Grebner spoke with USMEF Latin America Representative Homero Recio about the soaring success of the U.S. pork Boston Butt Burger in Colombia. Listen HERE.
Grebner also interviewed Kenneth Smith Ramos, a former lead negotiator for the Mexican government, and John Masswohl of the Canadian Cattle Association, both of whom addressed USMEF members on the upcoming review of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). She also spoke with Ted McKinney, CEO of the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture, about the future of USMCA. See more details HERE.
Rural Radio Network's Coverage of the USMEF Strategic Planning Conference
With support from the Nebraska Corn Board, Steve White, reporter for the Nebraska-based Rural Radio Network, provided on-site coverage of the USMEF Strategic Planning Conference in Indianapolis.
Interviews with Nebraska participants in the conference, including outgoing USMEF Chair Steve Hanson, Chair-elect Dave Bruntz and Executive Committee member Adam Grabenstein, as well as guest speakers and panelists, are available from this web page.
Texas Farm Bureau Radio Coverage of the USMEF Strategic Planning Conference
Tom Nicolette, senior producer for Texas Farm Bureau Radio, provided on-site coverage of the USMEF Strategic Planning Conference in Indianapolis. In this segment, Nicolette speaks with keynote speaker Jan Lambregts of Rabobank about the state of U.S.-China trade relations.
Listen to the interview HERE. (USMEF coverage begins at 4:14)
Nicolette also interviewed Texas cattle feeder Ryan Moorhouse, who serves as chair of the Cattlemen’s Beef Board, about efforts to combat the spread of New World screwworm. Listen HERE.
Also interviewed was Kara Dudley, a rancher from Horseshoe Bay, Texas, who represented the Texas Beef Council at the Strategic Planning Conference. Listen HERE.
Past Beef Board Chair Jimmy Taylor Addresses Importance of Exports with Oklahoma Farm Report
While participating in the USMEF Strategic Planning Conference in Indianapolis, Jimmy Taylor, a western Oklahoma cattle producer, former chairman of the Cattlemen’s Beef Board, and ex officio member of the Oklahoma Beef Council, highlighted the strong value delivered by beef exports with Ron Hays of Oklahoma Farm Report.
Taylor also recapped his experience traveling to key Asian markets during his time as Beef Board chair and seeing firsthand the strong demand for high-quality U.S. beef.
Listen to the interview HERE.
Halstrom Addresses Urgent Need to Remove Market Access Barriers in China with AgDay and Agri-Pulse
A recent edition of AgDay opened with a report on U.S.-China trade negotiations and the advances for U.S. agriculture as a result of the meeting between President Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping. The segment includes comments from USMEF President and CEO Dan Halstrom, who notes that while the U.S. meat industry is encouraged that the two sides are making progress, action is still urgently needed on the non-tariff barriers that have effectively closed the Chinese market to U.S. beef.
Watch the segment HERE.
Halstrom discussed these same issues with Agri-Pulse. See the article HERE.
RFD-TV: Halstrom on Easing Market Access Barriers in Southeast Asia
USTR recently announced agreements on reciprocal trade with Malaysia and Cambodia and frameworks for agreements on reciprocal trade with Thailand and Vietnam.
In comments delivered on RFD-TV’s Market Day Report, USMEF President and CEO Dan Halstrom notes that while Southeast Asia holds excellent growth potential for U.S. red meat, exporters face significant tariff and non-tariff barriers in the region. The agreements and frameworks announced by USTR represent progress in addressing these obstacles. The segment also discusses the urgent need for more progress in removing market access barriers in China.
Watch HERE.
Mid-West Farm Report on Central American Buyers’ Visit to Wisconsin
With support from the Wisconsin Beef Council, USMEF brought a team of buyers from Central America to Wisconsin to learn more about the beef supply chain and the production and merchandising of U.S. beef cuts. The delegation was led by Lucia Ruano, USMEF representative in Central America and the Dominican Republic, who was interviewed about the team’s activities by Stephanie Hoff of Mid-West Farm Report.
Hear the interview HERE.
Agri-Pulse Open Mic: National Pork Board CEO on Importance of Global Demand
In an extensive “Open Mic” interview with Agri-Pulse, National Pork Board CEO David Newman discusses a number of key issues for pork producers, including the importance of expanding and developing export markets.
Listen to the interview HERE. (export discussion begins at 21:30)
Nebraska Cattlemen Magazine Highlights Ranchers’ Participation in USMEF Latin American Product Showcase
The latest edition of Nebraska Cattlemen magazine includes a feature article on two Nebraska producers’ participation in the USMEF Latin American Product Showcase in Guatemala City. USMEF Chair Steve Hanson, a rancher and cattle feeder from southwestern Nebraska, and Nebraska Beef Council board member Mark Goes, a purebred seedstock producer in southeastern Nebraska, offer observations from the showcase, which is funded in part by the Nebraska Beef Council. The article also includes a QR code that allows readers to view a USMEF video about the event.
Read the article here.
AgDay Highlights Korean Pizza Chain that Features U.S. Pork Sausage
In South Korea, the pizza chain Pizza Alvolo turned to USMEF for assistance in expanding its menu options, and USMEF suggested U.S. pork sausage. After extensive product research and taste testing, the chain settled on Johnsonville pork sausage for its new offering, which has become a hit among Korean consumers. The pizza’s success was recently featured on AgDay, including comments from Andy Tauer, vice president for international market development for the National Pork Board, who sampled the pizza during a market visit in Korea.
Watch HERE.
FarmWeekNow Feature on Illinois Pork Industry Leader’s Experience in Korea
FarmWeekNow Commodities Editor Rhiannon Branch recently interviewed Illinois Pork Producers Association President Josh Maschhoff about his market visit to South Korea as part of the USMEF Heartland Team.
Maschhoff details the group’s meetings with Korean retail and foodservice representatives, and he offers observations on how U.S. pork is utilized and merchandised in this key market.
Read the article HERE.
Chair-elect Jay Theiler Shares Insights from UK and Korea on WNAX Radio
USMEF Chair-elect Jay Theiler, executive vice president of corporate affairs for Boise-based Agri Beef Co., just returned from a trade mission to the United Kingdom, where he gained insights on opportunities for U.S. beef and pork in the British market. Theiler was also recently part of the USMEF Heartland Team that visited South Korea. He shared observations from both trips with Keith Lundberg, farm director for WNAX Radio.
Theiler and Lundberg also discussed USMEF’s promotional efforts for U.S. red meat in other global markets and the ongoing need for market diversification. Listen to the interview HERE.
Halstrom Joins AgDay for In-Depth Interview on Global Meat Demand
USMEF President and CEO Dan Halstrom recently joined AgDay anchor Clinton Griffiths for an in-depth discussion of the factors impacting global demand for U.S. red meat. Halstrom noted that demand remains resilient, even in the face of higher prices, though trade obstacles have halted beef exports to China and negatively impacted pork shipments as well.
When discussing recently announced trade frameworks, Halstrom identified Indonesia as an especially promising market if non-tariff trade barriers can be eliminated. Watch the interview HERE.
Coverage of USMEF’s Role in USDA Trade Mission to Taiwan
USDA recently completed a trade mission to Taipei, Taiwan, led by Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Luke Lindberg. During the mission, Lindberg met with USMEF Vice President for Asia Pacific Jihae Yang and other staff to discuss trade priorities in Taiwan and across the Asia-Pacific region. He also met with local meat industry representatives.
Coverage is available from Taipei Times, AgDay and the American Institute in Taiwan.
USMEF Details Recent Market Access Developments in BEEF Magazine
In a guest column for BEEF Magazine, USMEF summarized market access issues for U.S. beef that are being discussed in current trade negotiations. The article includes an explanation of the new duty-free import quota in the United Kingdom, the opening of the Australian market to U.S. beef and the plant registration impasse that has effectively halted U.S. beef exports to China. Despite South Korea’s status as the leading export market for U.S. beef, some BSE-related obstacles also have a negative impact on exports.
Read the article HERE.
Halstrom Discusses Trade Negotiations and Frameworks with Brownfield
USMEF President and CEO discussed the status of ongoing trade negotiations and recently announced trade frameworks with Brownfield Ag News reporter Kellan Heavican. Halstrom provides details on how these developments could expand market access for U.S. beef and pork. Listen to the interview HERE.
Extensive Media Coverage of the USMEF Heartland Team in South Korea
The USMEF Heartland Team, a delegation of 21 producers and ag industry leaders representing the U.S. pork, beef, corn and soybean industries, visited Korea to see firsthand the investments the USMEF is making in the market. Participants shared their observations with many ag media outlets, including:
AgDay coverage included an interview with Josh Maschhoff, president of the Illinois Pork Producers Association. Watch HERE.
AgriTalk host Chip Flory interviewed USMEF Chair-elect Jay Theiler and Josh Maschhoff, president of the Illinois Pork Producers Association. Hear the interview HERE.
Brownfield Ag News Broadcast Supervisor Meghan Grebner spoke with Ryan Moorhouse, a Texas cattle feeder who serves as chair of the Cattlemen’s Beef Board. The interview is posted HERE.
Agriculture of America host Jesse Allen interviewed Cattlemen’s Beef Board Chair Ryan Moorhouse and Andy Tauer, National Pork Board VP of International Market Development. Hear the segment HERE.
Farm Journal’s Pork Editor Jennifer Shike interviewed Josh Maschhoff, president of the Illinois Pork Producers Association, and Andy Tauer, National Pork Board VP of International Market Development. The article is available HERE.
Rural Radio Network reporter Steve White spoke with Adam Grabenstein, a cattle and corn producer from Eustis, Neb., who serves on the Nebraska Corn Board and the USMEF Executive Committee, and Keith Kreikemeier, a cattle producer from West Point, Neb., who serves on the Nebraska Beef Council. Hear the interview HERE.
RFD-TV: Dan Halstrom Offers Market Updates on Taiwan, Korea
A trade delegation from Taiwan recently committed to increased purchases of U.S. agricultural products, including U.S. beef. USMEF President and CEO Dan Halstrom discussed the issue with RFD-TV news anchor Jennifer Vickery Smith. Halstrom noted that while barriers for U.S. beef are minimal in Taiwan, obstacles for U.S. pork are more frustrating and need to be addressed. Pivoting to the Korean market, Halstrom offered highlights from a recent market visit by the USMEF Heartland Team – a group of 21 ag industry leaders from the beef, pork, corn and soybean sectors.
Watch the interview HERE.
USMEF Discusses China Beef Impasse, Ongoing Trade Talks on Agriculture of America
On a recent edition of the live daily radio program Agriculture of America, USMEF’s Joe Schuele joins guest host Mike Adams for a discussion of obstacles that have halted U.S. beef exports to China. But on the positive side, they also examine potential market access gains in Indonesia and the United Kingdom, and the recent opening of the Australian market to U.S. beef.
Listen to the segment HERE.
AgDay Coverage of USMEF Innovation Symposium at Colorado State University
A recent edition of AgDay offered coverage of USMEF’s Global Innovation Symposium, where a team of Latin American importers, distributors and processors came to Colorado State University to learn about U.S. meat industry innovations in food safety, processing, packaging and value-added production.
The segment includes remarks by Dr. David Velasco, director of food science innovation at Colorado Premium, a USMEF member company. Watch HERE.
Market Access Developments for U.S. Pork Examined in National Hog Farmer
In a guest column for National Hog Farmer magazine, USMEF details recent market access developments for U.S. pork. These include an agreement by the European Union to create a duty-free quota for some U.S. pork cuts and Canada’s removal of a 25% retaliatory tariff on U.S. sausages. The article also examines potential market access gains in Southeast Asia and South Africa.
Read the article HERE.
USMEF’s Sabrina Yin Featured in Voices of Success Video Series
Simpol.PH, a lifestyle-focused news platform based in Quezon City, Philippines, recently interviewed USMEF ASEAN Director Sabrina Yin for its Voices of Success video series. Yin explains the role of USMEF in expanding demand for U.S. red meat in the ASEAN region through consumer education efforts and partnerships with chefs and other food industry professionals.
Watch HERE.
Coverage of Market Access Gains for U.S. Bison
Many news outlets reported on recent market access gains for U.S. bison meat, including creation of a duty-free quota for product entering the European Union and the lifting of BSE-related restrictions by Australia. Remarks by Jim Matheson, executive director of the National Bison Association, were covered by:
AgDay Highlights USMEF’s Latin American Product Showcase
In a recent edition of AgDay, anchor Clinton Griffiths highlighted the key role the USMEF Latin American Product Showcase plays in connecting U.S. exporters with prospective buyers from throughout Central and South America and the Caribbean.
The segment include observations from Kevin Rasmussen, an Iowa pork producer who participated in the showcase on behalf of the National Pork Board. Rasmussen was impressed with the quality of buyers the event attracted, and appreciated the opportunity to personally connect with them.
Watch HERE.
Halstrom Explains Importance of U.S.-Japan Trade Agreement on RFD-TV
In late July, the Trump administration announced that the U.S. had reached a trade and investment agreement reached with Japan. In a recent interview aired on RFD-TV, USMEF President and CEO Dan Halstrom explains the importance of Japan as a reliable, highly-valued trading partner for the U.S. red meat industry. He notes that the White House announcement came as a great relief to many key buyers in Japan, who had been concerned about a prolonged trade impasse between the two countries.
Watch the interview HERE.
USMEF Discusses China’s Trade Barriers with Journal of Commerce
Journal of Commerce recently detailed the impact of U.S.-China trade tensions on market access for U.S. agricultural exports, including red meat and soybeans. Joe Schuele, USMEF senior VP for communications, explains that China’s retaliatory duties are suppressing exports of U.S. pork and beef, but beef is being hit especially hard by China’s failure to renew registrations for most U.S. beef plants.
Read the article HERE.
Montana State University Students’ Visit to Japan Recapped on Montana Ag Live
On a recent edition of Montana Ag Live, Dr. Eric Belasco, professor of agricultural economics at Montana State University (MSU), discusses the recent visit to Japan by a delegation of MSU students and faculty that included meetings with the Japanese meat trade organized by USMEF. The group met with executives from Sojitz Corporation, a major trading company that imports U.S. beef, as well as the lead meat buyer for Ito Yokado, a major Japanese retailer.
Watch the segment HERE.
Ag Industry Leaders Report on USMEF Latin American Product Showcase
Several U.S. ag industry leaders participated in the USMEF Latin American Product Showcase in Guatemala City, and reported on their experience with local media outlets. Examples include:
Will Wise, CEO of the Oregon Beef Council, speaks with Glenn Vaagen of Pacific Northwest Ag Network.
Kentucky Soybean Board member Bill Clift spoke with veteran farm broadcaster Alan Watts about the event in this edition of YourAgEdge.
United Soybean Board Director and Kansas soybean farmer Charles Atkinson discusses the event in this press release from the Kansas Soybean Association
USMEF Chair Steve Hanson Reports from Latin American Product Showcase in Guatemala
USMEF Chair Steve Hanson, a rancher, cattle feeder and grain farmer from southwestern Nebraska, spoke with Susan Littlefield of American Ag Network from the USMEF Latin American Product Showcase in Guatemala City. Hanson offered his observations as a first-time attendee of the event, as well has his thoughts on the Latin American region’s rapidly growing appetite for high-quality beef and pork. Watch the interview HERE.
While in Guatemala City, Hanson also connected with Steve White of the Nebraska-based Rural Radio Network. Listen HERE.
Halstrom Details June Export Results with Jesse Allen of Agriculture of America
USMEF President and CEO Dan Halstrom provided his analysis of the latest (June) exports with Agriculture of America host Jesse Allen. He explained that Mexico, Central America and Colombia led strong results for U.S. pork, and pork variety meat shipments rebounded to China. The news was not as positive for beef, due in large part to the vast majority of U.S. plants being ineligible. Halstrom and Allen also discussed the recently announced trade framework with Japan and the state of U.S.-China trade negotiations.
Listen to the segment HERE.
Progressive Farmer Coverage of Midwest Agricultural Export Summit
Progressive Farmer’s coverage of the Midwest Agricultural Export Summit, held Aug. 13 in Sioux Falls, S.D., included comments from USMEF President and CEO Dan Halstrom on the recently announced trade deals with Japan, Indonesia and the United Kingdom, as well as the beef trade impasse with China.
Read the article HERE.
USMEF Discusses China’s Beef Safeguard Investigation with Reuters
China’s Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) recently announced it will extend its beef safeguard investigation through Nov. 26. China had been expected to release the MOFCOM investigation report in early August, with specific actions to be announced later.
In an interview with Reuters, USMEF explained that while the extension comes as welcome news, restoring the eligibility of U.S. beef plants to export to China is a much more pressing issue. Since February, China has failed to renew registrations for the vast majority of U.S. beef plants.
AgDay Details USMEF’s Market Access Concerns in Africa and Jamaica
In a recent AgDay segment, program anchor Clinton Griffiths highlighted USMEF’s comments to USTR on market access obstacles in South Africa and Nigeria. The comments, submitted as part of USTR’s annual review of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), were detailed by USMEF President and CEO Dan Halstrom.
The segment also discusses USMEF comments to USTR on Jamaica’s longstanding ban on U.S. pork.
Coverage of these issues was also provided by MEAT+POULTRY Magazine.
Oklahoma Farm Report Examines Beef Exports to EU and UK with USMEF’s Erin Borror
At the Cattle Industry Summer Business Meeting in San Diego, Erin Borror, USMEF VP for economic analysis, spoke with Oklahoma Farm Report about the complexities involved in exporting U.S. beef to the European Union and the United Kingdom. She explains to Ron Hays, the network’s senior farm and ranch broadcaster, that the U.S. industry regained some duty-free access to the UK through the new U.S.-UK trade framework. But non-tariff barriers still make Europe an expensive market to serve, as evidenced by modest utilization of the EU’s duty-free beef quota. Borror also discusses exports to the Middle East and Africa.
Listen to the interview HERE.
RFD-TV: USMEF Discusses U.S. Beef Access to Australia, Trade Deals with Japan and Indonesia
In a recent interview for RFD-TV’s Market Day Report, news anchor Suzanne Alexander spoke with Joe Schuele, USMEF senior VP for communications, about the Australian market opening to U.S. beef for the first time in more than 20 years.
Schuele also explains the potential benefits the U.S.-Indonesia trade framework could hold for U.S. beef and pork, provided that the agreement sufficiently addresses persistent non-tariff trade barriers.
He also notes that the U.S.-Japan trade and investment agreement is a critical development because it solidifies trade relations with one of the U.S. meat industry’s largest and most reliable trading partners.
Watch the interview HERE.
RFD-TV Showcases Convenience Items Using U.S. Pork in Mexico
In a recent news segment, RFD-TV highlighted the U.S. pork industry’s efforts to further expand demand in leading market Mexico by developing convenient and delicious snack items utilizing U.S. pork. The segment features an interview with USMEF Mexico Trade Manager Rigoberto Treviño, who describes several of the new products, including:
Cones of fried chicharrones made from U.S. pork jowl
Chicha-ramen – an Asian inspired instant ramen noodle with U.S. pork jowl topping
Snack-Atelas – a dried ham snack
Support for development and promotion of the new products was provided by USDA, the National Pork Board and state soybean checkoff programs.
Watch HERE.
Coverage of USMEF at Cattle Industry Summer Business Meeting
At the Cattle Industry Summer Business Meeting in San Diego, USMEF President and CEO Dan Halstrom spoke with Ron Hays, director of farm and ranch programming for Radio Oklahoma Ag Network, about global demand for U.S. beef and factors impacting beef exports.
Listen to the interview HERE.
Texas Farm Bureau Radio Senior Producer Tom Nicolette also provided on-site coverage in San Diego. His conversation with Halstrom is available HERE.
RFD-TV Segment Features USMEF Beef and Pork Seminars in Amarillo, Texas
USMEF recently hosted four teams of buyers from across the globe for beef and pork training sessions at West Texas A&M University and a firsthand look at U.S. production. Buyers were from Latin America, the Caribbean, Eastern Europe and the Middle East, and were accompanied by USMEF regional representatives. The RFD-TV segment features interviews with participants and highlights from the training workshops.
Watch HERE.
National Hog Farmer: USMEF Details Barriers Limiting Pork Exports to Vietnam
In a guest column for National Hog Farmer magazine, USMEF detailed the barriers that must be removed for U.S. pork to capitalize on growth opportunities in Vietnam. The column explains that while elimination of tariffs is essential, several non-tariff barriers also severely limit trade.
Read the article HERE.
U.S. Farm Report Highlights Booming Beef Exports to Central America
In its weekly Ag Around the World segment, U.S. Farm Report highlighted surging demand for U.S. beef in Central America, where exports set a record in 2024 and have further expanded this year.
The segment features comments from Lucia Ruano, USMEF representative in the region, who explains that Central American consumers have a growing appetite for higher-end beef cuts, many of which are purchased at meat boutiques. USMEF helps support these sales through cut-specific promotions and educational seminars.
Watch HERE.
Red Meat Exports’ Value to Corn Producers Detailed on Brownfield Ag News
In a segment sponsored by the Illinois Corn Marketing Board, Brownfield Ag News reporter Jared White speaks with John Hinners, USMEF senior VP for industry relations, about the benefits red meat exports deliver for U.S. corn producers. Hinners also discusses the importance of market diversification, especially when trade obstacles impact shipments to specific trading partners such as China.
Listen to the interview HERE.