USMEF in the News
Coverage of Iowa Cattle Operations Featured in U.S. Beef Campaign in Japan
USMEF recently gathered footage and interviews at two Iowa cattle operations that will be featured in the next edition of the Journey to American Beef campaign in Japan. Wiese and Sons, near Manning, Iowa, is a fifth-generation ranch that has raised registered Hereford cattle since 1912, while Pudenz Cattle is a family feedlot operation near Carroll, Iowa. Media outlets covering these families’ participation in the Journey to American Beef campaign included:
USMEF Details Urgent Need to Fully Restore Pork Offal Access to Mexico
Mexico’s pseudorabies-related restrictions on U.S. pork offal exports have cost the U.S. industry millions of dollars in lost sales and are forcing customers to consider alternative suppliers. USMEF-Mexico Trade Manager Rigoberto Trevino detailed the urgent need to fully restore pork offal access in:
Key Partnership with Nebraska Soybean Producers Discussed on Rural Radio Network
On the sidelines of a meeting of the Nebraska Soybean Board in Lincoln, Alex Makovicka of the Rural Radio Network interviewed John Hinners, USMEF senior vice president of industry relations, about the critical support soybean producers provide for USMEF programs. They also discussed the importance of conveying U.S. soy producers’ sustainable practices to international consumers and how this enhances demand for U.S. red meat.
Listen to the interview HERE.
USMEF’s Erin Borror Joins U.S. Farm Report Panel at World Pork Expo
During U.S. Farm Report’s on-site coverage of World Pork Expo, USMEF Vice President of Economic Analysis Erin Borror joined a live panel discussion focused factors impacting both international and domestic demand for U.S. pork.
The panel also discussed key issues affecting the hog market and producer profitability, as well as the impact of the conflict with Iran on international trade and the global economy.
Watch HERE.
USMEF's John Hinners on This Week in Agribusiness from World Pork Expo
At the recent World Pork Expo in Des Moines, USMEF Senior VP for Industry Relations John Hinners joined This Week in Agribusiness host Mike Pearson for a discussion of global pork trade.
They discussed the extraordinary growth in demand for U.S. pork in Mexico, as well as other Latin American destinations such as Colombia and Central America. Hinners also explains how USMEF marketing programs have focused specifically on expanding demand for the loin, and how this these efforts have delivered critical returns to U.S. pork producers.
Watch the interview HERE.
Erin Borror Addresses New World Screwworm’s Trade Concerns on AgDay
On a recent edition of AgDay, USMEF Senior VP of Economic Analysis Erin Borror explains that confirmation of New World screwworm (NWS) in the United States is not expected to interrupt red meat trade. Because NWS does not pose a threat to food safety, the World Organization for Animal Health specifies that no restrictions should be imposed on meat exports.
Watch the segment HERE.
RFD-TV Coverage of USMEF’s Comments on African Growth and Opportunity Act
USMEF recently submitted comments to USTR on ways to improve and modernize the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). USMEF’s comments – available here – focus on trade barriers for U.S. pork and beef maintained by countries benefiting from AGOA, including South Africa, Nigeria, Angola and Kenya.
In an RFD-TV news segment, USMEF Director of Export Services Jim Remcheck explains that AGOA could be utilized to facilitate two-way trade by requiring countries benefiting from the program to improve access for U.S. agricultural exports. Watch HERE.
Agriculture of America: Pork Industry Leaders Emphasize Importance of Mexican Market
On a recent edition of Agriculture of America, host Jesse Allen interviewed Katie Brown, president of the Illinois Pork Producers Association, and Andy Tauer, VP of international market development with the National Pork Board, about the critical role demand from Mexico plays in driving growth and profitability for the U.S. pork industry.
Brown and Tauer discussed highlights from their recent market tour of Mexico City, which included participation in USMEF’s red meat symposium and visits to a wide range of retailers that market and merchandise U.S. pork.
Watch the segment HERE.
RFD-TV Anchor Suzanne Alexander Interviews Industry Leaders Live from USMEF Spring Conference in Oklahoma City
Oklahoma Farm Report’s On-Site Coverage of USMEF Spring Conference
Broadcasters from Oklahoma Farm Report were on-site in Oklahoma City to provide highlights from the USMEF Spring Conference, including:
Drovers Highlights USMEF Session on Trade with Central America
Drovers provided coverage of USMEF’s Spring Conference general session focused on trade with Central America. Read the article HERE.
Feedstuffs Coverage of USMEF Spring Conference Panels
USMEF’s general session panel discussion on beef production and demand was featured in coverage from Feedstuffs, which also highlighted international staff presentations on innovative marketing strategies. Read the coverage HERE.
Meatingplace Highlights Boston Butt Burger as Success Story for Ground Pork
Meatingplace recently ran a feature article detailing emerging opportunities for ground pork, with one of the highlights being the Boston Butt Burger’s success in Colombia and other international markets. The piece includes comments from USMEF Latin America Representative Homero Recio and Andy Tauer, VP of international market development with the National Pork Board.
Read the article HERE.
Coverage of USMEF’s Response to China Resuming Imports of U.S. Beef
The White House recently posted a fact sheet noting that China’s General Administration of Customs (GACC) had granted a five-year extension to 425 expired U.S. beef establishments. Additionally, 77 new U.S. beef establishments were added, with registrations are valid for five years. The announcement added that China will work with U.S. regulators to lift all suspensions of U.S. beef facilities.
News outlets capturing USMEF’s response to the announcement included:
NPB’s Andy Tauer Discusses Booming Pork Demand in Mexico on RFD-TV
On a recent Market Day Report on RFD-TV, Andy Tauer VP of international market development with the National Pork Board (NPB), explains how the pork industry makes key investments to support promotion of U.S. pork in Mexico. He notes that Mexico is the leading international market for U.S. pork and demand continues to grow, fueled by industry partnerships that educate buyers and prospective buyers about the attributes to U.S. pork. Tauer was recently part of a U.S. delegation that traveled to Mexico City for a market tour and USMEF Red Meat Symposium, and he shares firsthand observations from these events.
Watch HERE. (scroll to second article)
National Hog Farmer on Surging Pork Demand in Central America and DR
In a guest column for National Hog Farmer magazine, USMEF highlighted the remarkable momentum for U.S. pork in Central America and the Dominican Republic.
Read the article HERE.
Brownfield Ag News, AgDay on Value-to-Corn-and-Soybeans Study
When USMEF released the latest independent study quantifying the value red meat exports deliver to U.S. corn and soybean producers, USMEF Senior VP of Industry Relations John Hinners discussed the results with Kellan Heavican of Brownfield Ag News.
Listen to the interview HERE. The study results were also featured on AgDay.
RFD-TV Coverage of USMEF Symposium and Market Tour in Mexico City
In a Market Day Report airing on Cinco de Mayo, RFD-TV provided coverage of USMEF’s recent U.S. Red Meat Symposium in Mexico City.
The segment features interviews with U.S. pork and beef producers who participated in the symposium and in tours of retail outlets to see firsthand the marketing and merchandising of U.S. red meat.
Watch HERE.
Coverage of U.S. Beef Events in London
Numerous media outlets covered events held April 29 and 30 in London, marking the return of duty-free access for U.S. beef in the United Kingdom. Guests at a U.S. Embassy dinner included Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen and top embassy officials, while a second event at Smith and Wollensky steakhouse attracted key buyers from the British trade. Coverage included:
RFD-TV Coverage of U.S. Beef Event in Accra, Ghana
USMEF’s Ashley Michels recently interviewed Chad Carney, USMEF marketing manager for Africa, about a successful event promoting U.S. beef in Accra, Ghana. The event built on the momentum established during a 2025 USMEF trade mission in Accra.
The segment also includes comments from Ann Marie Bosshamer, executive director of the Nebraska Beef Council, which provided support for the event.
The interviews were aired on RFD-TV’s Market Day Report. Watch HERE.
USMEF Exec Committee Member Spotlights Mexican Market on Rural Route Radio Podcast
After participating in USMEF’s red meat symposium and market tour in Mexico City, Adam Grabenstein, a corn and cattle producer from Farnam, Neb., who represents the feedgrains sector on the USMEF Executive Committee, joined host Trent Loos on the Rural Route Radio podcast. Grabenstein offered firsthand observations from Mexico City and emphasized the importance of well-established business relationships in expanding demand for U.S. beef, pork and lamb.
Listen to the podcast HERE.
USMEF’s John Hinners Joins Missouri Corn’s CornTalk Podcast
USMEF Senior Vice President of Industry Relations John Hinners recently joined host David Geiger on CornTalk – a weekly podcast produced by the Missouri Corn Merchandising Council. They discussed the importance of industry partnerships in expanding global demand for U.S. red meat and shared highlights from USMEF’s recent U.S. Red Meat Symposium and market tour in Mexico City. Patrick Seyer, a third-generation farmer from Scott County, Mo., represented Missouri Corn at these events.
Listen to the CornTalk podcast HERE .
Dan Halstrom Discusses Global Demand for U.S. Red Meat on WNAX Radio
USMEF President and CEO Dan Halstrom recently connected with Keith Lundberg, farm director at Yankton, S.D.-based WNAX Radio, to discuss the current state of demand for U.S. red meat.
Listen to the interview HERE.
Coverage of USMEF Red Meat Symposium in Mexico City
Many ag media outlets provided coverage of the USMEF Red Meat Symposium, held April 14-16 in Mexico City, as well as activities related to the event. With a delegation of U.S. producers and other industry leaders participating, coverage included:
Oklahoma Farm Report Previews USMEF Spring Conference, Highlights Export Results
K.C. Sheperd, director of farm and ranch programming for Oklahoma Farm Report, recently hosted USMEF President and CEO Dan Halstrom for a preview of the USMEF Spring Conference, which is set for May 20-22 in Oklahoma City. They also discussed the latest export results for U.S. red meat and potential “dark horse” markets that could emerge as growth destinations in the near future.
Listen to the interview here.
Watch for Sheperd’s on-site coverage of the USMEF Spring Conference on the Oklahoma Farm Report website.
Dan Halstrom Joins ‘ONE Health Live’ Podcast on Feedstuffs
USMEF President and CEO Dan Halstrom recently joined Sarah Muirhead and Dennis Erpelding, co-hosts of the ONE Health Live podcast, to discuss the nutritional benefits of U.S. red meat and how USMEF works to highlight these attributes to international customers.
The podcast is available from Feedstuffs.
Coverage of USMEF’s Analysis of U.S.-Ecuador Trade Deal
USTR recently announced the signing of the U.S.-Ecuador Agreement on Reciprocal Trade. The agreement, once implemented, will phase out duties on Ecuador’s imports of U.S. beef and pork and eliminate many non-tariff barriers, including Ecuador’s onerous facility registration requirement.
Erin Borror, USMEF VP of economic analysis, provided insights on the additional opportunities the agreement could create for U.S. red meat.
She notes that Ecuador has a population and per capita GDP similar to Guatemala, where the appetite for U.S. pork and beef has increased substantially in recent years, thanks in part to full market access. See coverage of USMEF’s analysis from:
AgDay and RFD-TV: USMEF Applauds Expanded Beef Access in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia recently lifted restrictions that have severely limited access for U.S. beef and prevented the U.S. industry from capitalizing on this rapidly growing market. USMEF President and CEO Dan Halstrom and Middle East Representative Rami Bousaleh detailed the potential upside for the U.S. industry in segments featured on AgDay and RFD-TV’s Market Day Report.
Ohio Ag Net Coverage of USMEF at Commodity Classic
At the Commodity Classic in San Antonio, Joe Everett of Ohio Ag Net interviewed John Hinners, USMEF senior VP for industry relations, about USMEF’s role and activities at the event, as well as the important support USMEF receives from the soybean and corn sectors.
Hinners also provided an update on international demand for U.S. pork, beef and lamb and the importance of industry partnerships in expanding red meat exports.
Watch the interview HERE.
AgDay Feature on Bolstering Mexico’s In-Home Consumption of U.S. Pork
While Mexico’s consumption of U.S. pork has increased dramatically in recent years, AgDay recently highlighted USMEF’s efforts to identify opportunities for further growth.
Gerardo Rodriguez, USMEF regional director for Mexico and Central America, explained that consumer education programs, made possible through support from USDA and the National Pork Board, play a key role in persuading retail shoppers to purchase more U.S. pork for in-home dining.
Watch the segment HERE.
Halstrom Discusses Latest Export Results, Impact of Middle East Conflict on Agriculture of America
In a live segment with Agriculture of America host Jesse Allen, USMEF President and CEO Dan Halstrom details the latest export results for U.S. pork, beef and lamb. They also discuss the military conflict in the Middle East, how it affects export shipments to the region, and the impact on global trade.
Listen to the interview HERE.
Meatingplace: Erin Borror on Upside Potential of Saudi Arabia’s Import Policy Changes
USDA recently confirmed that an Export Verification (EV) Program will no longer be required for U.S. beef exports to Saudi Arabia. USMEF VP of Economic Analysis Erin Borror explained to Meatingplace how this regulatory change will eliminate onerous, birth-to-slaughter verification requirements that made the Saudi market difficult to serve. USMEF estimates the opportunities for U.S. beef exports to Saudi Arabia are in the $100 million-$150 million range in the near to medium term.
Read the article HERE.
Former USMEF Chair Keith Miller and Family Featured in Farm Progress
Keith and Connie Miller of Great Bend, Kan., were recently named to the Kansas Master Farm Families Class of 2026. Keith is a former USMEF chair who has also held leadership roles with the Kansas Farm Bureau and the Kansas Soybean Commission. The Millers farm and raise cattle near Great Bend with their daughter, Dara Prescott, and her husband, Jason.
Read the article HERE.