Weekly USMEF Audio Report: Study Highlights Importance of Keeping Pace on Ag Export Promotion Funding

The latest analysis of agricultural export promotion investment shows that U.S. public funding for its two largest export promotion programs is about $235 million per year. But due to inflation and other factors, the real value of this investment has declined 12 percent since 2011. During this same period, major competitors increased their investment in promotion of agricultural exports by 70 percent. 

 

Greg Hanes, U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) assistant vice president for international marketing and programs, provides more details on this study, and on efforts to bolster support for U.S. investment in the promotion of agricultural exports in the next farm bill, in the above audio report.  

 

Video: CEOs of the Industry – International Edition Michael Agerley | Partner, IQinAbox

In this CEOs of the Industry – International Edition, we sit down with Michael Agerley, Partner at IQinAbox, to explore how data is reshaping the future of pig production.

After more than 20 years as a veterinarian, Michael shares his unique perspective on the shift from hands-on animal care to data-driven decision making across the pork value chain.

We dive into:

• How better data is improving real on-farm decisions

• The biggest opportunities still untapped in pig production

• How Europe is leading (and where it’s still lagging) in tech adoption

• The role of AI and smart systems in the next 5–10 years

• Why trust, leadership, and practical application matter more than ever

This conversation bridges veterinary insight, technology, and real-world farming, offering a clear look at where the industry is headed—and what it will take to get there.