At the recent Commodity Classic event, thousands of growers convened to discuss industry trends and developments. Among them was Randy Spronk, Chair of the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) and a prominent pork and grain producer from Edgerton, Minn. Together with other USMEF leaders, Spronk expressed gratitude to corn and soybean producers for their invaluable support.
According to Spronk, U.S.-grown corn and soy play a pivotal role in driving the success of beef, pork, and lamb exports. They are integral to the sustainability narrative that USMEF communicates to consumers worldwide. “Our feed is a critically important part of the lifecycle analysis of red meats. We can’t claim to be a sustainable product without acknowledging the role of our farm-produced grains and soybeans. They’re indispensable to us,” he emphasized.
The financial backing provided by the Soybean and Corn Checkoffs significantly contributes to USMEF’s global marketing endeavors, facilitating the movement of grains and oilseeds through feed consumption. In 2023 alone, U.S. red meat exports were responsible for the consumption of nearly 513 million bushels of corn, valued at over $3 billion, and 97 million bushels of soybeans, with a value of $1.4 billion.
Spronk underscored the significance of differentiating U.S. agricultural products in the international market, particularly in comparison to competitors like the European Union (EU). He highlighted the remarkable advancements in yield and efficiency in grain production over the years. “There is no greater efficiency and sustainability story than that,” he remarked, referencing the exponential increase in corn yield from 1981 to the present day.
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