The 2026 World Pork Expo, presented by the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC), is gearing up for an exciting, action-packed event that will bring together pork producers, industry professionals, and innovators. Set for June 3-4 at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines, Iowa, this year’s Expo promises to be bigger and better than ever, offering a fresh perspective on the future of the industry.
Barbara O’Brien, president and CEO of Dairy Management Inc. (DMI) and the Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy, announced she will retire at the end of her five-year term this fall. O’Brien was unanimously approved by the DMI Board of Directors as CEO on Oct. 11, 2021, and has since led the organization through a period of strategic alignment, innovation and measurable growth on behalf of America’s dairy farmers and importers.
Last week, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) hosted a stop on a United Kingdom Embassy Farm Tour at Whitestone Farm in Loudoun County, Virginia. The event included a round table with stakeholders from Virginia and the United Kingdom, including Secretary of State for Environment Food and Rural Affairs Rt. Hon. Emma Reynolds MP, Virginia Agriculture Secretary Katie Frazier and Virginia Deputy Agriculture Secretary Ben Rowe as well as leadership from U.K.’s National Farmers Union, and the Virgina Farm Bureau.
USDA and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) have announced a construction contract with Mortenson Construction to build a new sterile fly production facility at Moore Air Base in Edinburg, Texas. This facility will expand USDA’s domestic response capacity, bolstering protection for U.S. livestock, wildlife, and public health.
The Cattlemen’s Beef Board & Beef Checkoff 2025 Impact Report is now available. This report combines the Cattlemen’s Beef Board Annual Report and the Beef Checkoff Evaluation Report to provide members and stakeholders with a single, comprehensive document. See how the Beef Checkoff utilized your producer dollars to support and strengthen the entire beef industry through research, promotion and education. Click here to view the report.
Meat sales hit a record high of $112 billion in 2025, with a pound increase of 2% (source: Circana). Millennials and Gen Z were a driving force behind the growth according to according to the 21st annual Power of Meat report released at the Annual Meat Conference by the Meat Institute and FMI—The Food Industry Association.
The National Pork Producers Council is proud to announce the induction of Ken and Julie Maschhoff and Sam Carney into the NPPC Hall of Fame during the 2026 National Pork Industry Forum. This prestigious award recognizes individuals with a lasting impact on the industry because of their dedication to advancing pork production. In addition, NPPC recognized John Parker as the recipient of the distinguished Paulson-Whitmore State Executive Award, honoring his decades of exceptional leadership and dedication to advancing the U.S. pork industry. This award was presented in partnership with the National Pork Board.
The International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) announced that Adam Tarr has been named Vice President of Legislative Affairs, effective March 9. Tarr brings 20 years of federal policy experience spanning Capitol Hill, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and government affairs consulting with deep expertise in agriculture, climate, conservation, and food policy.
During the 2026 International Production & Processing Expo (IPPE), four researchers presented their findings from recently completed research projects funded by the U.S. Poultry & Egg Association (USPOULTRY) and its Foundation as part of the TECHTalks sessions offered during the Expo. All the researchers’ presentations have been made available on USPOULTRY’s YouTube channel and can be viewed here.
The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) is expressing concern about online rumors that allege a new or unknown animal disease is circulating in a feedlot in the Texas Panhandle. NCBA says these claims are false and that animal health officials from USDA, state officials in Texas, along with leaders at Texas Cattle Feeders Association, have confirmed there is no such disease present.
