JOHNSTON, Iowa — Iowa Corn Growers Association Director and farmer, Mike Ver Steeg, participated in U.S. Meat Export Federation’s Heartland Trade Mission to Japan last week to study the market and explore opportunities to further expand demand. Japan is a top market for U.S. red meat with a focus on quality.
The delegation was composed of representatives from the U.S. beef, pork, corn and soy sectors. The mission comprised of meetings with U.S. Embassy officials and representatives from the Japanese trade sector, a visit to a wagyu farm, processing operations, a culinary school and made several foodservice and retail visits.
“As a producer it is a great opportunity to meet face to face with our customers in country to better understand their desire for our products,” shared Mike Ver Steeg, a corn and pork farmer from Lyon County. “Japan is a top market for both U.S. beef and pork and continuing to build strong relationships remains vital to move more U.S. red meat and ultimately corn.”
Iowa Corn Promotion Board invests checkoff dollars with the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) to create new opportunities and further develop existing international markets for U.S. corn-fed red meat. Each dollar invested in USMEF’s export programs generates median net returns of $3.87 and $7.42 for the beef and pork industries, respectively.
The Iowa Corn Promotion Board (ICPB), works to develop and defend markets, fund research, and provide education about corn and corn products. The Iowa Corn Growers Association (ICGA) is a 7,000-member strong grassroots-driven organization, headquartered in Johnston, Iowa, serving members across the state, and lobbying on agricultural issues on behalf of its farmer members to create opportunities for long-term Iowa corn grower profitability. For more information, visit iowacorn.org.
–Shannon Textor, Iowa Corn Promotion Board
