U.S. Beef Exporters now have greater access to selling beef in Saudi Arabia due to the Saudi Food and Drug Authority’s announcement that participating in the Export Verification Program will no longer be required for importers. U.S. Meat Export Federation President and CEO Dan Halstrom explains how the removal of this barrier will impacts a growing foodservice market. Halstrom said, …
USMEF Highlights Ecuador Reciprocal Trade Agreement Benefits For Beef and Pork
With the announcement of the Reciprocal Trade Agreement with Ecuador being finalized, the U.S. Meat Export Federation is highlighting the benefits in the agreement for beef and pork. Erin Borror, U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) Vice President for Economic Analysis explains, “The tariff on beef is basically 20 percent and that’s phased to zero in the agreement over three years. And …
Alabama Cattlemen’s Association Preparing For End of Legislative Session
The Alabama legislative session is nearing the end and the Alabama Cattlemen’s Association is working through the remaining bills that impact the cattle industry. We caught up with Erin Beasley with the Alabama Cattlemen’s Association to learn more. Beasley said, “Very happy to be in the last final days of our session in Alabama. The legislative body comes together. They have …
USMEF Working to Bolster In-Home Use of Pork in Mexico
The U.S. Meat Export Federation has been working to increase the consumption of pork in homes in Mexico, especially as exports to Mexico have set records for the past five years with greater demand through restaurants. USMEF Regional Director for Mexico and Central America, Gerardo Rodriguez explains, “The percentage is lower than what we thought. So we get to find …
Cattle Industry Reaction to Product of the USA Label
The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) is reacting to the reveal of the new Product of the USA label. We caught up with Kent Bacus, executive director, government affairs for NCBA to learn more. Bacus said, “We’re excited about this new Product of the USA label. This is something that has been fully enforced since January 1st of this year and …
GPC Helps Donate Jars of Peanut Butter to Atlanta Food Bank
The recognition of March as National Peanut Month provided the Georgia Peanut Commission (GPC) the opportunity to educate Georgians about peanut’s benefits while also giving back to those in need. During the Georgia PB&J Day in Atlanta in March, the Georgia Peanut Commission and Peanut Proud donated 10,000 jars of peanut butter to the Atlanta Community Food Bank. Peanut butter …
Deeper Plantings May Be Required for Cotton Growers Amid Drought
By Clint Thompson Cotton plantings will soon begin across South Georgia, and they’ll start amid exceptional drought conditions in some areas. It’s less than an ideal scenario for growers who need adequate soil moisture to achieve proper plant stand establishment. The Georgia Cotton Commission and Wes Porter, University of Georgia Professor in Crop and Soil Sciences, advise producers on how …
USDA Unveils New Product of USA Label
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins has announced a new Product of USA label for meat, eggs and poultry producers as part of a voluntary labeling standard that became effective on January 1, 2026. Secretary Rollins said, “Our great patriot ranchers and producers grow, raise, and harvest the world’s safest, most affordable, and abundant food supply. American consumers want to …
Alabama Cattlemen’s Encouraging Young Culinarians Through Cookoff
The Alabama Cattlemen’s Association is encouraging young culinarians through an upcoming cookoff event. We caught up with Erin Beasley with the Alabama Cattlemen’s Association to learn more. “Well, it’s a cook-off that the ACA and Alabama Cattlewomen’s Association are well known for and that is our junior and senior high school beef cook-off. We’ve been doing this event since the 60s and …
Florida Beef Council Director Shares Insights from New Director Orientation
The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association recently held a new director orientation for state checkoff directors and Dr. Chad Carr with the University of Florida, who serves on the Florida Beef Council Board of Directors, shared his insights from the training. Dr. Carr said, “The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, they put on an orientation for new state board members and state staff …








