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USMEF in the News

Published: Sep 07, 2023

USMEF Chair-Elect Talks Pork Export Opportunities with Feedstuffs 

USMEF Chair-elect Randy Spronk, a pork producer and longtime pork industry leader from Edgerton, Minn., joined Feedstuffs Digital Solutions Manager Ann Hess for a webinar focused on the importance of exports to the U.S. pork industry. 

Spronk emphasized the need to differentiate U.S. pork in the international marketplace by showcasing its quality and consistency and explaining the U.S. industry’s sustainable production practices. Having just returned from South Korea and Japan, he noted that there are excellent opportunities to expand U.S. market share in Asia – in both established and emerging markets – with European pork production in decline. 

Watch the webinar HERE.

USMEF Chair-elect Randy Spronk is interviewed by Ann Hess of Feedstuffs

Coverage of USMEF Heartland Team in Korea and Japan 

Producers and other ag industry leaders who traveled to South Korea and Japan as part of the USMEF Heartland Team spoke to local farm media outlets about their experience and offered observations about how U.S. red meat is marketed overseas. Coverage included: 

Colorado Corn Promotion Council Executive Director Nick Colglazier was interviewed by KSIR Radio Farm Director Lorrie Boyer. Listen HERE

Nebraska corn growers Michael Dibbern and Matt Sullivan spoke with Rural Radio Network Farm Director Susan Littlefield. Read more details and listen to both interviews HERE

South Dakota soybean producer Todd Hanten shared his observations with Cierra Dockter, farm broadcaster with Red River Farm Network. See more details HERE. 

USMEF President and CEO Dan Halstrom spoke with Ron Hays, senior farm and ranch broadcaster with Oklahoma Farm Report. Listen to the interview HERE.

USMEF Discusses Export Opportunities, Obstacles in Indonesia with Brownfield Ag News 

Brownfield Ag News Anchor/Report Brent Barnett spoke with Joe Schuele, USMEF VP of communications about export growth opportunities in Indonesia. Schuele explained that U.S. beef has made some strides in Indonesia, but exports have been held back by persistent trade barriers. He also noted that with a non-Muslim population approaching 30 million, there is upside potential for U.S. pork in Indonesia. 

See more details from the interview HERE.

Halstrom Reports on Heartland Team Activities with Agriculture of America and AgriTalk 

While traveling with the USMEF Heartland Team in South Korea, USMEF President and CEO Dan Halstrom spoke with Agriculture of America host Jesse Allen about the group’s activities and the latest beef and pork export results. Listen to the segment HERE

Japan was the second stop on the Heartland Team’s itinerary, and Halstrom spoke with AgriTalk host Davis Michaelsen from Tokyo. Listen to this interview HERE.

Oklahoma Farm Report: Beef Board Chair Jimmy Taylor on Building Demand for U.S. Beef in Korea and Japan 

Jimmy Taylor, a rancher from Cheyenne, Okla., and chair of the Cattlemen’s Beef Board, was part of the USMEF Heartland Team that met with key buyers in South Korea and Japan and took part in marketing activities for U.S. red meat. 

In an interview with Ron Hays, senior farm and ranch broadcaster with Oklahoma Farm Report, Taylor offers observations from the trip and speaks to the important returns international marketing efforts deliver for U.S. cattle producers. Listen to the interview HERE.   

U.S. Pork’s Rebound in Taiwan Detailed in National Hog Farmer 

After several setbacks in recent years, U.S. pork exports to Taiwan have rebounded to the highest level since 2013. USMEF explained the factors driving demand in Taiwan in a guest column for National Hog Farmer magazine. 

Read the article HERE.

Rural Radio Network Coverage of Nebraska Delegation in Korea 

Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen recently led a trade delegation to South Korea and Japan. During their time in Korea, the group met with USMEF staff and participated in promotional activities for U.S. beef and pork. Susan Littlefield, farm director with the Nebraska-based Rural Radio Network, provides highlights from the delegation’s press conference with Gov. Pillen and Nebraska Farm Bureau President Mark McHargue. 

Listen to the segment HERE

Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen and Homeplus CEO Lee Jae-Hoon distribute U.S. pork and beef samples to customers at a Homeplus outlet in Seoul

Importance of Pork Exports Stressed in Meatingplace 

The September edition of Meatingplace magazine includes a feature article on economic headwinds faced by the U.S. pork industry. But international demand for U.S. pork is identified as a major bright spot, with commentary from Erin Borror, USMEF vice president of economic analysis. 

Read the article HERE (see pages 9-11).