USMEF in the News
U.S. Farm Report Highlights Booming Beef Exports to Central America
In its weekly Ag Around the World segment, U.S. Farm Report highlighted surging demand for U.S. beef in Central America, where exports set a record in 2024 and have further expanded this year.
The segment features comments from Lucia Ruano, USMEF representative in the region, who explains that Central American consumers have a growing appetite for higher-end beef cuts, many of which are purchased at meat boutiques. USMEF helps support these sales through cut-specific promotions and educational seminars.
Watch HERE.
Red Meat Exports’ Value to Corn Producers Highlighted on Brownfield Ag News
In a segment sponsored by the Illinois Corn Marketing Board, Brownfield Ag News reporter Jared White speaks with John Hinners, USMEF senior VP for industry relations, about the benefits red meat exports deliver for U.S. corn producers. Hinners also discusses the importance of market diversification, especially when trade obstacles impact shipments to specific trading partners such as China.
Listen to the interview HERE.
BEEF Magazine Highlights U.S. Short Plate Promotions in Korea
With U.S. beef currently facing daunting trade obstacles in China, heightened retail promotions of U.S. short plate in Korea’s retail sector are among the strategies for redirecting cuts normally destined for China. USMEF provided more details on these promotions in this guest column for BEEF Magazine.
Brownfield: USMEF Discusses New Plant Approvals for China but Cautions that Many Obstacles Remain
Brownfield Ag News reporter Brent Barnett recently spoke with Joe Schuele, USMEF senior VP for communications, regarding red meat trade with China. Schuele noted that approval of additional pork plants for export to China is a positive development, but high tariffs are still a barrier for U.S. pork. He added that U.S. beef exports to China not only face heightened tariffs but have also been impacted by China’s failure to review plant registrations.
Listen to the interview HERE.
Schuele and Barnett also discussed how tariffs, proposed tariffs and tariff deadlines can impact shipping decisions for U.S. exporters and for foreign manufacturers shipping goods to the United States. Inbound shipments also affect U.S. exporters because of the impact on vessel availability. Listen HERE.
Coverage of USMEF at World Pork Expo
At World Pork Expo in Des Moines, Iowa, USMEF President and CEO Dan Halstrom was a featured speaker and took part in a panel discussion with U.S. Farm Report anchor Tyne Morgan and Dr. Lee Schulz, chief economist for Ever.Ag. View the panel discussion below, in two segments:
Halstrom was also interviewed by several media outlets at World Pork Expo, including:
RFD-TV: Halstrom on Impact of Trade Obstacles on Exports to China
USMEF President and CEO Dan Halstrom discussed the impact of China’s retaliatory duties on exports of U.S. beef and pork with RFD-TV anchor Tammy Arender. He also explained that beef exports are being heavily impacted by China’s failure to renew facility registrations for many U.S. beef plants, making the majority of U.S. beef production ineligible.
Watch HERE.
April Export Results Detailed on Agriculture of America
Following release of the April red meat export results, USMEF President and CEO Dan Halstrom joined Agriculture of America guest host Mike Adams for a recap. Halstrom explained that while sharply lower exports to China weighed heavily on the overall results, April was a strong month for beef exports to Korea, Japan and Central and South America. Pork exports trended higher to Central America and Colombia and continued to perform well in Mexico, despite being down from a year ago.
Listen to the interview HERE.
RFD-TV Airs Live Interviews from USMEF Spring Conference in Fort Worth
RFD-TV’s Market Day Report conducted several live interviews with participants during the USMEF Spring Conference in Fort Worth, Texas, including:
AgDay Highlights USMEF Spring Conference’s Focus on Expanding Beef Demand
As the USMEF Spring Conference concluded in Fort Worth, AgDay aired interviews with keynote speaker Randy Blach on signs on herd expansion and spoke with USMEF Dan Halstrom about navigating current trade challenges. Dr. Cheryl DeVuyst, vice chair of the Cattlemen’s Beef Board, also discussed the Beef Checkoff Program’s role in expanding global demand for U.S. beef.
Watch the segment HERE.
Rural Radio Network’s Extensive Coverage of USMEF Spring Conference
With support from the Nebraska Corn Board, the Nebraska-based Rural Radio Network provided extensive coverage of the USMEF Spring Conference in Fort Worth.
Bryce Doeschot, ag broadcaster and host of the network’s Market Journal television program, conducted on-site interviews with USMEF Chair Steve Hanson, Vice Chair Dave Bruntz, Executive Committee member Adam Grabenstein and President and CEO Dan Halstrom.
Listen to the interviews HERE.
Texas Farm Bureau Radio Coverage from USMEF Spring Conference
Tom Nicolette, senior producer with Texas Farm Bureau Radio, provided on-site coverage of the USMEF Spring Conference in Fort Worth. Hear his conference overview and interviews with USMEF Chair Steve Hanson and President and CEO Dan Halstrom below:
Halstrom Discusses Trade Barriers and Market Access with Oklahoma Farm Report
USMEF President and CEO Dan Halstrom joined Ron Hays, senior farm and ranch broadcaster with Oklahoma Farm Report, for a discussion of current trade issues, including the impact of China’s retaliatory duties on U.S. pork and beef and the importance of maintaining access to other key trading partner countries. Listen to the two-part interview below:
AgDay Highlights Japanese Ramen Restaurant Chains’ Shift to Underutilized Cuts of U.S. Pork
In a recent AgDay segment, anchor Clinton Griffiths detailed a key success story for U.S. pork in Japan. Ramen Kagetsu, which operates 250 stores throughout Japan, switched from using European sheet belly for a barbecued pork dish, replacing it with U.S. false lean – an underutilized cut taken from the shoulder end of the loin. Kairikiya, with 160 outlets in Japan, is now using U.S. pork cushion meat in one of its popular dishes, rather than Mexican picnic.
Watch HERE.
UK and China Trade Situation Detailed on This Week in Agribusiness
On the latest edition of This Week in Agribusiness, USMEF President and CEO Dan Halstrom joined Host Mike Pearson to examine the potential for U.S. red meat exports to the United Kingdom, now that the U.S. and UK have reached agreement on a new trade framework. Halstrom also welcomes China’s recent reduction of retaliatory duties on U.S. pork and beef, but notes that significant obstacles must be lifted before trade with China is restored.
Watch the segment HERE.
Brownfield: Tariff Reductions a Good First Step, but Barriers to Trade with China Remain
Meghan Grebner, broadcast supervisor for Brownfield Ag News, interviewed USMEF President and CEO Dan Halstrom after the White House announced that the U.S. will cut tariff rates on good imported from China for 90 days, while China also agreed to reduce retaliatory duties. Halstrom explains that while USMEF welcomes the tariff de-escalation, China’s total tariffs on U.S. pork and beef remain high. He further notes that China still has not renewed registrations for the majority of U.S. beef plants, making most U.S. beef production ineligible until this issue is resolved.
Listen to the interview HERE.
Halstrom Discusses China De-Escalation and Trade with UK on Ag of America
USMEF President and CEO Dan Halstrom joined Agriculture of America Host Jesse Allen to discuss the announcement that the U.S. will cut tariff rates on good imported from China for 90 days, while China also agreed to reduce retaliatory duties. Halstrom explains that unfortunately, much work remains in these negotiations before red meat exports to China can regain momentum. They also discuss the framework announced on trade with the United Kingdom and the latest (March) export data released by USDA.
Listen to the segment HERE.
Halstrom Highlights Strong Global Demand for U.S. Beef on Northern Ag Network
Speaking with Northern Ag Network reporter Colton Young, USMEF President and CEO Dan Halstrom discusses strong, resilient global demand for U.S. beef, even in the face of tight supplies and high prices. Halstrom also highlights potential growth opportunities in the United Kingdom under the recently announced U.S.-UK trade framework.
Watch HERE.
National Hog Farmer: More Progress Needed on U.S. Pork Access to China, UK
In a guest column for National Hog Farmer magazine, USMEF details the progress made in reducing China’s retaliatory duties on U.S. pork, but explains that significant barriers remain.
The article also notes that while no details on pork trade when the White House unveiled a new trade framework with the United Kingdom, the British market holds significant potential for U.S. pork if tariffs and other obstacles are removed.
Read more HERE.
AgriTalk: Halstrom on Trade with China and Mexico, Pork Success in Japan
USMEF President and CEO Dan Halstrom joined AgriTalk Host Chip Flory for a wide-ranging discussion that covered trade tensions with China, a potential trade obstacle in Mexico and a big success story for U.S. pork in Japan’s foodservice sector.
Listen to the segment HERE.
USMEF Details Impact of China’s Retaliatory Duties on RFD-TV and AgDay
USMEF President and CEO Dan Halstrom spoke with RFD-TV Anchor Suzanne Alexander on how China’s prohibitively high retaliatory duties have effectively halted U.S. pork and beef exports to China. Watch the interview HERE.
Erin Borror, USMEF VP for economic analysis, also addressed this topic on a recent edition of AgDay. Watch the segment HERE.
USMEF Comments on Impact of Tariffs on Vessel Availability in Agri-Pulse
Agri-Pulse Trade Editor Oliver Ward recently detailed the impact of U.S. tariffs on the number of vessels bound for the U.S. from Asia, noting a high number of canceled sailings into major West Coast ports such as Los Angeles, Long Beach and Oakland.
Joe Schuele, USMEF senior VP for communications, explained that while securing east-bound vessel space is not yet a problem for red meat exporters, it is a growing concern. He also noted that some carriers are not providing sufficient notice to exporters, which leads to increased time and costs at port terminals.
Read the article HERE.
RFD-TV Features Great American Texas Barbecue Festival in Hong Kong
RFD-TV recently featured a news segment on USMEF Hong Kong’s Great American Texas Barbecue – an annual event that brings together hundreds of the city’s leading foodservice representatives. The most recent edition of the event featured the U.S. steamship round – a high-volume, underutilized beef cut that presents a very cost-effective option for catered events. U.S. pork ribs and sausages were also a big hit with guests.
Funding support was provided by the Texas Beef Council, the Beef Checkoff Program, the National Pork Board and USDA. Watch the segment HERE.
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.
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.
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.
