USMEF Spring Conference highlights trade access gains

The US Meat Export Federation (USMEF) commenced its Spring Conference in Oklahoma City, Okla. Livestock and grain producers, meat processors, exporters, and other key stakeholders gathered for the annual conference, this year held May 20-22.

Oklahoma Secretary of Agriculture Blayne Arthur welcomed the group, detailing the importance of international trade to the state’s agricultural economy.

Trade missions

Arthur, who is also a cattle producer, recently visited Japan to witness firsthand how US red meat is merchandised and served in the market. She shared highlights of the trip at the Spring Conference.

“I don’t know that I’ve ever consumed so much animal protein as I did when we were on that trip in Japan,” she said. “They made sure that we got a sampling of everything. It makes you very proud as a United States beef producer to be in another country and to see our products displayed and see the work that is happening across the world.”

USMEF Chair Jay Theiler, executive vice president of corporate affairs for Agri Beef Co., extended the conversation with details from other recent international trips.

Last month, Theiler led a USMEF delegation to Mexico City for a market tour and a two-day symposium. Then in April, he traveled to London to participate in events celebrating the return of duty-free access for US beef to the United Kingdom. Events included a reception at the US Embassy in London and a dinner for the British trade at Smith & Wollensky steakhouse, as well as a tour of key retail outlets.