Optimism Seen at USMEF Spring Conference

The U.S. Meat Export Federation wrapped up its spring conference Friday in Kansas City. USMEF Chair Randy Spronk, who farms in Minnesota, found a sense of optimism at the meeting. “I’m a pork producer and we’ve come through a very difficult 12-to-14 months and now if you look at the first three months of this year volume is up six percent, value is up seven percent so there is continued demand,” said Spronk. “Everybody on the beef side is looking at when are we going to start retaining heifers so a lot of discussion and opinions on whether that is occurring right now or when that’s going to occur because that’s an important thing to think about here, too.”