USMEF in the News
Coverage of USMEF’s Trade Seminar in Ghana
USMEF’s recent trade seminar in Accra, Ghana, drew extensive coverage from agricultural media. Examples include:
Halstrom Comments on Revisions to USTR’s Port Service Fee Plan
USMEF President and CEO Dan Halstrom noted that USTR made significant revisions to its plan to impose service fees on Chinese-made and Chinese-operated ocean vessels in an effort to revitalize the U.S. shipbuilding industry. While the revised plan will still likely result in some additional shipping costs for U.S. exporters, Halstrom detailed notable improvements from the original proposal, including assessing the fees on a per-voyage basis, rather than on every port called. He also explained that basing the fees on net tonnage, rather than imposing very high flat fees, will be more accommodating to smaller vessels that tend to service destinations such as Central America and Colombia. No fees will be imposed until October 2025.
Coverage is available from:
Coverage of Japanese Beef Importers’ Visit to Idaho
A team of buyers from major Japanese beef importers recently visited the United States to learn about U.S. beef production practices. In addition to touring USMEF headquarters and the National Beef processing facility in Dodge City, Kan., the team got an in-depth look beef production and processing in Idaho.
Jay Theiler, executive vice president of corporate affairs for Agri Beef and USMEF’s current chair-elect, hosted the team for a tour of the True West Beef processing facility in Jerome, Idaho, as well as a nearby feedlot. The team also visited a cow-calf operation in Idaho and met with beef industry leaders from the region. Coverage is available from:
Halstrom Discusses Tariffs and Trade Situation on Agri-Pulse Newsmakers
USMEF President and CEO Dan Halstrom spoke with Host Lydia Johnson in an Agri-Pulse Newsmakers segment focused on how U.S. exporters are dealing with the current trade impasse with China and discussing market access negotiations with other key trading partners. They were also joined by Krista Swanson, chief economist with the National Corn Growers Association.
Watch the discussion HERE.
Halstrom Discusses China Beef Plant Registration Impasse
USMEF President and CEO Dan Halstrom joined AgDay and U.S. Farm Report to discuss the beef industry’s frustration over China’s failure to renew registrations for a large number of U.S. processing plants and cold storage facilities. Halstrom also explains how loss of access to the Chinese market can negatively impact the prices U.S. beef cuts command in other Asian destinations. Watch the segments below:
Halstrom Discusses Tariffs and Retaliation Concerns with Brownfield Ag News
USMEF President and CEO Dan Halstrom joined Brownfield Ag News Broadcast Supervisor Meghan Grebner to discuss trading partner responses to U.S. tariffs, including China’s imposition of retaliatory duties on U.S. pork and beef.
Listen to the segment HERE.
In a companion piece, Grebner speaks with Halstrom about the importance of having experienced USMEF staff on the ground in international markets to address concerns of importers and other customers and to help maintain the U.S. industry’s reputation as a reliable supplier.
Listen HERE.
USMEF Chair Highlights Home State's Role in Building Global Demand for U.S. Beef in Nebraska Cattlemen
In a guest column for Nebraska Cattlemen magazine, USMEF Chair Steven Hanson, a rancher and cattle feeder from Elsie, Neb., and a former president of the Nebraska Cattlemen, highlights the support Nebraska beef, pork, corn and soybean producers provide for USMEF’s international marketing programs. Hanson also discusses USMEF’s role in identifying barriers to trade and assisting exporters in overcoming trade obstacles.
Read the article HERE.
Agriculture of America: Halstrom Reports from Ghana Trade Mission
Connecting from the USMEF trade mission in Accra, Ghana, USMEF President and CEO Dan Halstrom joined Agriculture of America Host Jesse Allen to discuss the event and the long-term prospects for red meat export growth in Africa. The interview also featured details from the latest (February) export results for U.S. pork, beef and lamb.
Listen to the segment HERE.
Coverage of USMEF Market Expo Team in Monterrey, Mexico
The USMEF Market Expo Team – a delegation of producers and other industry leaders from USMEF member organizations – recently traveled to Monterrey, Mexico, to gain a deeper understanding of the market dynamics in Mexico and see firsthand how their investments help increase U.S. red meat exports. The team participated in a variety of activities and attended Expo Carnes ‒ Mexico’s largest trade show for the meat industry.
Coverage of the Market Expo Team included:
USMEF Comments on Proposed Port Fees with Ag TV Networks, BEEF Magazine
USTR is proposing to impose port service fees on Chinese-made vessels and on ocean carriers with such vessels in their fleets. USMEF President and CEO Dan Halstrom detailed the potential impact on U.S. red meat exports on agricultural news broadcasts, including how these fees could burden exporters of beef and pork variety meats and lead to reduced services at the Port of Oakland. Watch the segments here:
RFD-TV (scroll down to second video)
USMEF also discussed the potential impact on exports in a guest column for BEEF Magazine.
USMEF Discusses Pork Plant Registration Renewals for China and Urgent Need for Same Action on Beef
USMEF President and CEO Dan Halstrom spoke with broadcasters about China’s General Administration of Customs finally taking the action needed to ensure continued eligibility of U.S. pork plants and cold storage facilities to export to China. He noted that registrations for nearly 400 U.S. beef facilities still have not been renewed. Coverage is available from AgInfo.net and Red River Farm Network.
Joe Schuele, USMEF senior VP for communications, also discussed the issue with Reuters and Agri-Pulse.
U.S. Farm Report Highlights Value of Red Meat Exports to Corn and Soybeans
Reporting from the USMEF booth at the Commodity Classic trade show in Denver, U.S. Farm Report Anchor Tyne Morgan details an independent study that quantifies the value beef and pork exports return to row crop producers. USMEF President and CEO Dan Halstrom and Senior VP for Industry Relations John Hinners also comment on the critical support USMEF programs receive from corn and soybean producers.
Watch the segment HERE.
AgriTalk: Halstrom on Value of Red Meat Exports to Corn and Soybeans, Tariff Situation
USMEF President and CEO Dan Halstrom joined AgriTalk Host Chip Flory for a discussion of the independent study that quantifies the value beef and pork exports return to corn and soybean producers. They also discuss the latest developments on tariffs and potential retaliation, but also address the possibility of using these negotiations to eliminate market access barriers.
Listen to the segment HERE.
Halstrom Discusses Potential Impact of Tariffs and Retaliation on Red Meat Industry
Green Bay-based WNFL shared Dan Halstrom’s comments on the potential impact of new tariffs imposed (and later paused) on imports from Mexico and Canada and an increase in the tariff rate on certain goods from China.
Watch the segment HERE.
Boston Butt Burger’s Success in Colombia Highlighted in National Hog Farmer
In a guest column for National Hog Farmer magazine, USMEF discusses the popularity a new U.S. pork burger – the Boston butt burger, or “BBB” – has achieved in Colombia. The piece also speaks to the growth U.S. pork has achieved in the Colombian market for a rapidly expanding range of products.
Read the article HERE.
USMEF Addresses Concerns about Tariffs and Retaliatory Measures in Financial Times
In a Financial Times article focused on new U.S. tariffs on goods from Mexico and Canada (which were later paused) and higher tariffs on Chinese goods, USMEF Senior VP for Communications Joe Schuele commented on the potential impact of retaliatory measures on U.S. red meat exports.
Read the article HERE.
Schuele also discussed the potential impact of China’s retaliatory duties with Agri-Pulse and BBC News.
Beef Board Leader Addresses Importance of International Marketing
Reflecting on his just-completed term as chair of the Cattlemen’s Beef Board, Kentucky cattle producer Andy Bishop spoke about the importance of building global demand for U.S. beef with Kevin Ochsner, host of NCBA’s Cattlemen to Cattlemen. Bishop emphasized that it is especially critical to export beef variety meat items and underutilized beef cuts.
Watch HERE.
Bishop shared similar thoughts with Ron Hays, Senior Farm and Ranch Broadcaster with Oklahoma Farm Report.
Listen to the interview HERE.
Record-Large 2024 Pork Exports Detailed on AgDay
On a recent edition of AgDay, USMEF President and CEO Dan Halstrom provided details on the year-end 2024 export data for U.S. pork, which revealed a record for both volume (just over 3 million metric tons) and value ($8.63 billion). In addition to leading market Mexico, exports set records in Central America, Colombia, New Zealand, Malaysia and several Caribbean markets. Value records were reached in South Korea, Australia and the Dominican Republic.
Watch the segment HERE.
Iowa Beef Producer Shares Central America Trade Mission Insights on KICD Radio
Jim Christensen, a farmer and cattle feeder from Royal, Iowa, who serves on the Iowa Beef Industry Council, recently traveled to Costa Rica and Guatemala on a trade mission led by Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig and coordinated by the Iowa Economic Development Authority. Christensen got a firsthand look at how U.S. beef and pork are promoted and merchandised in Central America, and shared his observations with George Bower, farm director at Spencer, Iowa-based KICD Radio. Christensen also discussed some of the logistical challenges U.S. red meat faces in these markets.
Listen to the interview HERE.
Halstrom Provides Beef Export Outlook on NCBA’s Cattlemen to Cattlemen
At the Cattle Industry Annual Convention in San Antonio, USMEF President and CEO Dan Halstrom spoke with Kevin Ochsner, host of NCBA’s Cattlemen to Cattlemen, about how U.S. beef exports performed in 2024 and the export outlook for the coming year.
Halstrom explained that while tight supplies and higher beef prices are a concern for international buyers, demand for U.S. beef have proven to be very resilient – especially in Western Hemisphere markets such as Mexico and Central America.
Watch the interview HERE.
WNAX Radio: Halstrom Recaps 2024 Exports, Gives Insights for Coming Year
USMEF President and CEO Dan Halstrom recently spoke with Keith Lundberg, farm director at Yankton, S.D.-based WNAX Radio, about the record performance for U.S. pork exports in 2024 and the optimistic outlook for the coming year. Halstrom also discusses global opportunities for U.S. beef, taking into account the industry’s current supply constraints.
Listen to the interview HERE.
Coverage of USMEF at Cattle Industry Annual Convention
Beef exports and the potential for possible trade disruptions were top-of-mind for agricultural reporters covering the Cattle Industry Annual Convention in San Antonio. Coverage of USMEF during the convention included:
U.S. Beef and Pork’s Presence at Yakiniku Business Fair Highlighted on AgDay
AgDay recently highlighted USMEF’s promotion of U.S. beef and pork at the Yakiniku Business Fair – one of the most critical industry trade shows for Japan’s foodservice sector. The segment features comments from USMEF-Japan Marketing Director Tom Kasatani.
Watch HERE.
Agriculture of America: Dan Halstrom Details Year-End Export Results
USMEF President and CEO joined Agriculture of America Host Jesse Allen for a discussion of the year-end export results for U.S. pork, beef and lamb. This included a record performance for U.S. pork and a 5% jump in beef export value.
Exports delivered excellent returns for producers, with pork export value equating to a record-high $66 per head slaughtered and beef export value averaging $415 per fed head.
Listen to the segment HERE.
USMEF’s Jihae Yang Speaks to AgDay on Political Turmoil in Korea
A recent edition of AgDay featured observations from Jihae Yang, USMEF vice president for the Asia Pacific, on the impact of political turmoil in Korea on consumer demand for U.S. meat. Yang explains that while the situation has further weakened Korea’s currency against the U.S. dollar, consumer are largely unfazed.
Watch the segment HERE.
USMEF Chair Steve Hanson on University of Nebraska’s Market Journal
Early in his term as USMEF chair, Nebraska rancher and cattle feeder Steve Hanson was interviewed by Bryce Doeschot, host of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s Market Journal program. They discuss Hanson’s involvement with USMEF, the importance of beef exports to the bottom line of cattle producers and the critical role checkoff programs plays in expanding global demand for U.S. red meat.
Watch the interview HERE.
KDHL Radio Coverage of USMEF at Minnesota Ag Expo
USMEF participates in the annual Minnesota Ag Expo to share information about U.S. red meat exports and express appreciation for the outstanding support provided by Minnesota ag organizations and member companies.
Brad Hovel, who produces soybeans, corn and livestock near Cannon Falls, Minn., joined USMEF staff at the event. He spoke with Jerry Groskreutz of KDHL Radio, based in Faribault, Minn., about the important contributions red meat exports make to his bottom line, focusing particularly on the rapid growth of pork exports to Latin America.
Listen to the interview HERE.
Farm Journal: USMEF’s Take on Pork Trade Impact of Germany’s FMD Case
AgDay Anchor Clinton Griffiths recently shared insights from Erin Borror, USMEF vice president of economic analysis, on the impact Germany’s foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) case could have on global pork trade. Borror noted that market access for German pork outside of Europe was already limited due to African swine fever, and the FMD finding resulted in import bans in additional countries, including the United Kingdom and South Korea. Watch HERE.
More detailed coverage is also available from Farm Journal's PORK.
Importance of Duty-Free Access for U.S. Pork Detailed in National Hog Farmer
In a guest column for National Hog Farmer magazine, USMEF discussed the key role duty-free access has played in expanding global opportunities for U.S. pork, especially in Western Hemisphere markets. The article notes that duty-free access makes U.S. pork available and affordable to a wider range of customers, which helps grow per capita consumption.
USMEF also details the impact retaliatory duties had on pork exports to Mexico when such duties were imposed in 2018 and 2019. Furthermore, Brazilian pork did not have access to Mexico at that time but has recently established a foothold in the market. The presence of Brazilian pork has also heightened competition in the Dominican Republic.
Read the article HERE.
AgDay Highlights U.S. Pork and Beef Culinary Seminars in Honduras
USMEF Corporate Chef Germán Navarrete recently traveled to Honduras to train chefs from resorts and restaurants on how to develop new U.S. pork and beef dishes to feature on their menus, with many of these dishes incorporating local ingredients.
Chef Navarette’s readout from the seminars was featured on AgDay.
