Weekly USMEF Audio Report: Chairman Pleased with Record Turnout, Optimistic Outlook at USMEF Board of Directors Meeting...

May 31, 2010 - As the USMEF Board of Directors Meeting and Product Showcase wrapped up Friday in St. Louis, USMEF Chairman Jim Peterson, a rancher from Buffalo, Mont., shared his thoughts on the meeting. 

The conference drew a record turnout of about 200 attendees, with an especially strong delegation of international buyers from areas such as China/Hong Kong, the Caribbean, Mexico and the ASEAN region.

Peterson said pork, beef and grain producers in attendance were encouraged by the positive momentum muscle cut exports have shown so far in 2010, and with recent progress in regaining access for U.S. pork in Russia and China. However, he cautioned that some issues - such as the pending free trade agreement with South Korea and the 20-month age limit on U.S. beef exports to Japan - will require significantly more time and effort to resolve. 

Audio Link:

For more information on the USMEF Board of Directors Meeting and Product Showcase, please visit