Weekly USMEF Audio Report: Halstrom Reports to Export Growth Committee at Cattle Industry Convention

Feb 06, 2018

The Beef Checkoff Program’s Export Growth Committee met Friday, Feb. 2 at the Cattle Industry Convention in Phoenix. This committee helps establish industry priorities for international marketing and provides direction to checkoff contractors, including the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF), in order to build global demand and increase the value of beef exports.

USMEF President and CEO Dan Halstrom gave the committee a summary of the very strong U.S. beef export results achieved in 2017. He noted that once December data is available, the United States will likely set a new beef export value record of $7.2 to $7.3 billion. Export value per head of fed slaughter exceeded $282, up 9 percent from the 2016 average, with much of this growth driven by top markets Japan, South Korea, Mexico and Hong Kong.

Halstrom also cited some of the factors supporting an upward trend in beef trade, including steady expansion of global protein demand, solid economic growth, increasing U.S. beef production and the recent strengthening of key currencies versus the U.S. dollar.

Source: USMEF

Video: Early Fall Colors | Scenic Ontario Road Trip!

All adventures must come to an end, but not without one more journey! Join The Wandering Shepherds as we say farewell to our cozy Calabogie cottage and take the scenic road trip home to Ewetopia Farms. Our first stop was a breathtaking hydroelectric generating station, framed by cliffs, rushing water, and brilliant fall leaves that seemed to have changed overnight. From there, we meandered along winding backroads through lakes and hills, soaking in the spectacular autumn scenery. This year, the colors seemed to arrive earlier than usual—perhaps due to the summer’s drought? Whatever the reason, it was an unforgettable display of Ontario’s fall beauty. Finally, our holiday drew to a close as we pulled back into Ewetopia Farms, ready to return to the sheep and our daily vlogs. But this trip reminded us how important it is to pause, explore, and appreciate the simple beauty around us.