Study Quantifies the Impact of Red Meat Exports on Domestic Feed Demand for Corn

May 19, 2026

According to an independent study conducted by the Juday Group and released by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF), red meat exports generated substantial returns for corn producers in 2025.

At the national level, U.S. beef and pork exports contributed $2.18 billion in market value to corn producers and $375 million to distiller’s dried grains (DDGs) in 2025, according to the study. These exports accounted for an estimated 13.5% of the per-bushel value of corn.

In Minnesota, U.S. beef and pork exports generated $217.64 million in market value for corn and $29.55 million for DDGs, according to the s t udy. In 2025, these exports utilized approximately 50.73 million bushels of Minnesota corn and 211,374 tons of Minnesota DDGs.

Each year, as part of our mission to promote opportunities for corn farmers, Minnesota Corn invests corn checkoff funds in organizations that expand markets for corn and corn products both directly and indirectly. This support includes the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF), which develops international markets for U.S. red meat.

Click here to see more...

Video: How Novonesis is Reshaping Swine Nutrition with Enzymes, Probiotics & Biological Solutions

The merger of Novozymes and Chr. Hansen created Novonesis, a global biosolutions leader combining more than a century of expertise in enzymes, probiotics and microbial science. In this exclusive interview, Keith Kinsley discusses how bringing these two industry innovators together is creating new opportunities for pork producers across North America and around the world.

Keith explains how Novonesis is leveraging the strengths of both legacy companies to deliver a more integrated approach to swine nutrition, gut health and feed efficiency. From sow productivity and piglet development to grow-finish performance, Novonesis offers science-backed biological solutions designed to help producers maximize feed utilization, support microbiome robustness and improve overall herd performance.