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USMEF in the News

Published: Oct 25, 2024

Coverage of USMEF at National Association of Farm Broadcasting Convention

USMEF President and CEO Dan Halstrom and newly elected USMEF Chair Steve Hanson recently conducted numerous interviews at the National Association of Farm Broadcasting (NAFB) Convention in Kansas City. Halstrom also participated in a panel discussion on the outlook for U.S. agricultural exports in the coming year.

Interviews from the convention will be aired over the next several weeks, but a sampling posted so far include:

Dan Halstrom joins Meghan Grebner of Brownfield Ag News

Dan Halstrom speaks with Jesse Allen of American Ag Network

Monte James of Your Ag Network speaks with Dan Halstrom

C.J. Miller of Hoosier Ag Today interviews Dan Halstrom

USMEF Chair Steve Hanson, a rancher and cattle feeder from Elsie, Neb., speaks with Meghan Grebner of Brownfield Ag News at the National Association of Farm Broadcasting (NAFB) Convention in Kansas City

Pork Industry Delegation’s Visit to Mexico Highlighted on RFD-TV 

USMEF recently hosted more than 20 leaders from the U.S. pork industry in Mexico City as part of the final session of the Pork Leadership Institute, a joint program by the National Pork Producers Council and National Pork Board. 

A video featuring interviews with participants and highlights from promotional activities for U.S. pork recently aired on RFD-TV. Watch the segment HERE.

Dan Halstrom Discusses U.S.-Mexico Trade Relations on U.S. Farm Report

A recent edition of U.S. Farm Report focused on the outlook for trade policy under the incoming Trump administration. USMEF President and CEO Dan Halstrom was among those interviewed by host Tyne Morgan, with his comments mainly focusing on the importance of U.S.-Mexico trade relations and the need to preserve market access under the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement.

Watch the segment HERE.

Halstrom Speaks with RFD-TV on Trade Policy Outlook for Year Ahead

USMEF President and CEO Dan Halstrom recently spoke with RFD-TV on the outlook for trade policy in 2025. Halstrom notes that while there are concerns about an increase in trade tensions under President-elect Donald Trump, U.S. agriculture secured many important gains during the first Trump administration, including the U.S.-China Phase One Agreement, the U.S.-Japan Agreement and ratification of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement.

Watch the segment HERE.

Texas Farm Bureau Radio Network Coverage of the USMEF Strategic Planning Conference

Tom Nicolette, senior producer with the Texas Farm Bureau Radio Network, provided on-site coverage from the USMEF Strategic Planning Conference in Tucson. Nicolette posted several interviews from the conference, including:

Texas Beef Council representative Kara Dudley, a rancher from Horseshoe Bay, Texas, shares her observations from the conference and speaks to the importance of the partnership between USMEF and the Texas Beef Council.

John Hinners, USMEF senior vice president for industry relations, discusses the panel of livestock producers who shared their experience in international markets with conference attendees.

Guest speaker Jim Wiesemeyer of ProFarmer discusses the potential impact of Trump administration on trade policy.

U.S. Pork’s Growing Presence in Malaysia Spotlighted in National Hog Farmer

In a guest column for National Hog Farmer magazine, USMEF ASEAN Director Sabrina Yin discusses the factors driving a sharp increase in U.S. pork shipments to Malaysia over the past two years. Aaron Hunerdosse, vice president of international sales for Seaboard Foods also speaks to Malaysia’s heightened appetite for U.S. pork and the market’s potential for continued growth.

Read the article HERE.

Hanson, Halstrom Join RFD-TV Live from USMEF Strategic Planning Conference

Newly elected USMEF Chair Steve Hanson spoke with RFD-TV news anchor Tammi Arender live from the USMEF Strategic Planning Conference in Tucson, Ariz. Hanson described his Nebraska cattle operation, provided highlights from the conference and detailed the important role checkoff funding plays in international marketing of U.S. red meat.

Watch the interview HERE.

Earlier in the week, USMEF President and CEO Dan Halstrom joined news anchor Suzanne Alexander for a discussion of the latest red meat export results, including the record pace for pork exports.

Watch the interview HERE.

USMEF Chair Steve Hanson speaks with news anchor Tammi Arender on RFD-TV

Brownfield Ag News Update from USMEF Strategic Planning Conference

USMEF President and CEO Dan Halstrom spoke to Brownfield Ag News Broadcast Supervisor Meghan Grebner from the USMEF Strategic Planning Conference in Tucson. They discussed the current performance of red meat exports, including the record pace for shipments of U.S. pork. Halstrom also noted the impact recent elections – not only in the U.S. but also in key export markets – may have on agricultural trade.

Listen to the interview HERE.

Colombia’s Full Reopening to U.S. Beef Detailed in BEEF Magazine 

In a guest column for BEEF Magazine, USMEF detailed the impact of Colombia’s H5N1-related restrictions on U.S. beef, which were in place from April until late September. USMEF staff in the region discuss the effect these restrictions had on Colombian importers, who are relieved to once again have full access to U.S. beef. 

Read the article HERE.

Nebraska Producers’ Experience in Japan Featured on Local TV News 

Nebraska-based NTV News interviewed Michael Bergen, a corn grower from Henderson, Neb., and Mark Goes, a cattle producer from Wymore, Neb., who serves on the Nebraska Beef Council about their experience in Japan with the USMEF Heartland Team. 

Watch the segment HERE.

Steve White, a reporter from NTV News, interviewed Nebraska producers who traveled to Japan with the USMEF Heartland Team

Record Pace for U.S. Pork Exports Highlighted in FarmWeek Now 

USMEF President and CEO Dan Halstrom spoke with FarmWeek Now Commodities Editor Rhiannon Branch about the strong pace of U.S. pork exports, which are projected to set volume and value records in 2024. Halstrom also discussed Colombia’s repeal of its H5N1-related restrictions on U.S. beef. FarmWeek Now is a publication of the Illinois Farm Bureau. 

Read the article HERE.

Agriculture of America: Latest Export Results, Colombia Beef Access, Port Labor Situation 

USMEF President and CEO Dan Halstrom joined Agriculture of America host Jesse Allen for a discussion of the latest (August) export results for U.S. pork, beef and lamb, which included outstanding demand from Mexico. Halstrom also provided an update on access for U.S. beef in Colombia, which was severely restricted for much of this year but was fully restored in late September. Halstrom and Allen also discussed the tentative agreement that ended the three-day longshoremen’s strike on the East and Gulf Coasts, but Halstrom cautioned that the parties must still complete a full labor contract by mid-January to avoid another work stoppage. 

Listen to the segment HERE.

 

Latest Pork Export Results Detailed on U.S. Farm Report, AgDay

USMEF President and CEO Dan Halstrom recently discussed the strong August results posted by U.S. pork exports on U.S. Farm Report and AgDay. Watch the segments below:

Brownfield Coverage of U.S. Pork Promotions in Vietnam

Brownfield Ag News reporter Erin Anderson interviewed Indiana pork producer Jackie Ponder about her recent participation in the Porkstars chef competition and other promotional efforts for U.S. pork in Vietnam.

See the report HERE.

USMEF Comments on Impact of Port Strike and Tentative Labor Agreement 

During the three-day longshoremen’s strike that suspended operations at East and Gulf Coast ports, USMEF President and CEO Dan Halstrom discussed the urgent need to end the impasse on FOX Business Network’s Mornings with Maria Bartiromo. Watch the segment HERE

Halstrom also joined RFD-TV anchor Suzanne Alexander to discuss the situation. Watch HERE

Erin Borror, USMEF VP of economic analysis, detailed the impact of the strike in an interview with Carah Hart of Brownfield Ag News. 

When a tentative wage agreement ended the strike, Borror joined Hart again for a follow-up interview. Halstrom commented on the importance of getting cargo moving again off the East and Gulf Coasts in this AgDay segment.

AgriTalk Segment on August Red Meat Export Results 

Following USDA’s release of August red meat export data, USMEF VP of Communications Joe Schuele joined AgriTalk host Chip Flory to discuss the highlights. Schuele notes that USMEF is now projecting U.S. pork exports to achieve annual volume and value records in 2024, surpassing the record volumes posted during China’s recovery from African swine fever. They also discuss Mexico’s strong demand for U.S. beef and pork. 

Listen to the segment HERE.

Farm Journal’s PORK Coverage of Porkstars Competition in Vietnam 

Farm Journal’s PORK Editor Jennifer Shike provided extensive coverage of the Porkstars chef competition in Vietnam, interviewing U.S. pork, soybean and corn industry representatives who participated in the event. 

Read the article HERE

More details on the Porkstars competition and other efforts to promote U.S. pork in Vietnam are also available in this USMEF video.

 

USMEF Details Potential Impact of East-Gulf Coast Port Strike 

With just days remaining before a longshoremen’s strike could cease operations at U.S. East and Gulf Coast ports, USMEF commented on the severe impact this work stoppage would have on red meat exports. See remarks from USMEF President and CEO Dan Halstrom on: 

Comments from USMEF VP of Communications Joe Schuele are available from This Week in Agribusiness, Agri-Pulse and Reuters.

AgDay anchor Clinton Griffiths reports on the impact an East and Gulf Coast port strike could have on red meat exports

Coverage of Colombia Fully Reopening to U.S. Beef

USMEF President and CEO Dan Halstrom joined AgDay anchor Clinton Griffiths to offer details on Colombia’s decision to repeal H5N1-related restrictions on U.S. beef. Beginning in April, Colombia had suspended imports of U.S. beef originating from states in which H5N1 was detected in dairy cows. Watch the AgDay segment HERE.

U.S. Farm Report host Tyne Morgan also covered removal of Colombia’s beef restrictions HERE.

Coverage is also available from Brownfield Ag News, MEAT+POULTRY, Drovers and BEEF Magazine.

Extensive Media Coverage of USMEF Heartland Team in Japan 

Twenty-one representatives of the beef, pork, corn and soy sectors traveled to Japan to see firsthand the promotion of U.S. red meat in the market by USMEF. As seen in this video, the USMEF Heartland Team received market briefings from U.S. Embassy and USMEF staff, spoke with students at a culinary school, viewed U.S. product displays in retail outlets, and visited a beef tongue processing facility, a wagyu farm and the Tokyo Meat Market. 

With participants conducting numerous interviews during the trip, the Heartland Team received excellent coverage from the ag media, including: