Two weeks ago, the National Corn Growers Association’s (NCGA) Market Development Action Team (MDAT) converged with industry leaders at the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) annual convention in Orlando, Florida. During the week Matt Frostic, Troy Schneider, Denny Vennekotter, Sarah McKay, and Michael Granché engaged in crucial discussions with NCBA's executive leadership, highlighting shared priorities and emphasizing the significance of bolstering their symbiotic relationship.
On Wednesday morning, Troy Schneider joined Cattlemen to Cattlemen show host Kevin Ochsner for an exclusive RFD-TV interview. Together, they illustrated the integral partnership between beef and corn, showcasing how these industries collaborate to drive progress and maintain profitability for farm operators. Then, on Thursday morning, Michael and Kristen Schneider took part in the annual #BeefIt5k race, a vibrant event symbolizing the energy and dedication within the industry fueled by the power of beef. Following this, they engaged in an interview on RFD-TV, discussing how corn-fed beef contributes to nutrition and can seamlessly integrate into diverse dietary preferences.
Meanwhile, Matt, Troy, and Denny took center stage on Thursday afternoon, hosting a dynamic Learning Lounge session moderated by AOA’s Radio’s Jesse Allen. The session explored corn’s sustainability goals, emphasizing the added value of transitioning corn into beef and discussing the positive impact of corn-fed intramuscular fat relating to overall carcass quality. As the convention drew to a close, the team joined Jesse Allen for his radio and podcast program, Market Talk. Together with Randy Spronk, chairman of the U.S. Meat Export Federation, they dissected beef and corn exports and highlighted recent collaborations spearheaded by NCGA’s Market Development Action Team. Beyond these pivotal engagements, the team actively participated in various sessions, including the Beef Industry Forum, the US Roundtable for Sustainable Beef Sustainability Summit, several D.C. policy updates, and checkoff marketing workshops, underscoring the commitment to advancing industry initiatives.
Also noteworthy is the new and exciting promotion of corn throughout the event. NCGA MDAT member Lindsey Bowers contributed corn for the first ever "Kid’s Korral" corn pit on the trade show floor, creating a fun and educational space for children to practice farming with corn and toy trucks and tractors. Additionally, corn-based plastic cups from Eco-Products were utilized for refreshments throughout the duration of the convention, showcasing the versatility and sustainability of corn-based products and representing MDAT’s new uses portfolio.
As the curtains close on NCBA Cattle Con 2024, the echoes of collaboration and innovation still linger, underlining the industry's resilience and determination to thrive in an ever-evolving landscape. Stay tuned for more insights and developments from this dynamic partnership as we look forward towards a well-marbled year ahead.