Livestock and grain producers, red meat processors and exporters and other key stakeholders gathered in Oklahoma City Wednesday for opening day of the U.S. Meat Export Federation Spring Conference.
Oklahoma Secretary of Agriculture Blayne Arthur welcomed the group, detailing the importance of international trade to Oklahoma’s agricultural economy. Arthur, who is also a cattle producer, shared highlights from a recent visit to Japan in which she met with USMEF staff and saw firsthand how U.S. red meat is merchandised and served in the Japanese market.
“I don't know that I've ever consumed so much animal protein as I did when we were on that trip in Japan,” Arthur 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 Idaho-based Agri Beef Co., also shared recent experiences from international markets. Last month, Theiler led a USMEF delegation to Mexico City for a market tour and a two-day USMEF symposium that attracted importers and other prospective customers from throughout Mexico. In late April, Theiler traveled to London to participate in events celebrating the return of duty-free access for U.S. beef in the United Kingdom. See full highlights from these events here:
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