Steve Hanson, chair of the United States Meat Export Federation (USMEF) and a farmer-rancher from Southwest Nebraska, shared insights on the current state of U.S. meat exports and their importance to American agriculture. Speaking about his family’s operation, Hanson described a diverse farm producing corn, wheat, soybeans, and pinto beans, alongside a cow-calf enterprise that exemplifies sustainability and quality. Hanson …
USMEF on Meat Trade Under New Administration
During last week’s National Association of Farm Broadcasters Convention in Kansas City, various folks in the ag industry spoke with farm broadcasters on many issues. As Rusty Halvorson reports, one of those topics was about the new Administration taking over on January 20th. Learn more about red meat exports on the U.S. Meat Export Federation website. Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsNovember …
USMEF Holding Strategic Planning Conference
Members of the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) are in Tucson, Arizona, this week for their annual Strategic Planning Conference. As attendees gather to discuss key initiatives and industry strategies, organizers might want to consider the use of badge scanners for conferences like these. Badge scanners could streamline check-ins, enhance networking opportunities, and provide valuable data for future event planning. Rusty Halvorson …
American Agriculture History Minute: Early Export Trade
I’m Mark Oppold with an American Agriculture History Minute. Before 1720, most colonists in the mid-Atlantic region worked in small-scale farming operations and they paid for imported manufacturing goods by supplying the West Indies with corn and flour. In New York, a fur-pelt export trade to Europe flourished and added additional wealth to that region. After 1720, mid-Atlantic farming was …
Wine Industry Faces Challenges Over Tariffs and Distribution Rules
The U.S. wine industry is grappling with challenges stemming from international tariffs and complex distribution laws, both of which impact the market for domestic and imported wines. Ben Aneff, President of the U.S. Wine Trade Alliance, explains that the unique U.S. “three-tier” distribution system, a structure stemming from Prohibition’s end, mandates that wine is sold through separate importers, distributors, and …
Study Warns U.S.-China Trade War Could Harm Farmers and Boost Rivals
A new economic study warns that a renewed trade war between the U.S. and China could severely harm American farmers while benefiting Brazil and Argentina. The study, conducted by World Agricultural Economic and Environmental Services, was commissioned by the American Soybean Association (ASA) and the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA). It highlights the risks of imposing new tariffs on Chinese …
USDA to Host First-Ever Trade Mission to Thailand in 2025
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) will lead its first trade mission to Bangkok, Thailand, from February 3-6, 2025. U.S. exporters interested in participating must apply by October 29, 2024. “This mission represents an important opportunity for our farmers, ranchers, producers, and agribusinesses to connect with potential partners from both Thailand and Burma,” said FAS Administrator …
Chef Competition in Vietnam Highlights Taste and Quality of U.S. Pork
Chefs from across Vietnam recently competed in Porkstars, a cooking competition now in its third year, designed to promote creative uses of U.S. pork. The live streamed event is a collaboration between the U.S. Meat Export Federation, the National Pork Board, the Indiana Soybean Alliance, and the Indiana Corn Marketing Board. Indiana soybean grower Chris Eck traveled to Vietnam for …
USDA Launches New Tools to Improve Fertilizer and Grain Transportation Visibility
The USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) has introduced two new tools to boost transparency and resilience in the agricultural transportation sector. Announced today, the Fertilizer Transportation Dashboard and the Pacific Northwest Barge Rate Data Series are now available on the Agricultural Transportation Open Data Platform (AgTransport). The Fertilizer Transportation Dashboard provides up-to-date information on key fertilizer supply chain indicators. These …
Export Exchange 2024 Focus on Trade and U.S. Agriculture Growth
Export Exchange 2024 was held in Fort Worth, Texas, and brought together nearly 500 attendees, including international buyers and U.S. agriculture stakeholders. Hosted by the U.S. Grains Council (USGC) in partnership with Growth Energy and the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA), the event aimed to foster trade and strengthen relationships in the agricultural sector. With 28 industry exhibitors showcasing the U.S. …










