The third annual Midwest Agricultural Export Summit, sponsored by Midwest Dairy, took place in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, in early August. This annual gathering serves as a platform for leaders from across the Midwest region to engage in discussions that translate into actionable strategies benefiting the entire agricultural community.
The theme of the 2024 summit was the competitive advantage of agriculture in the Midwest for feeding a global marketplace. The Midwest region is renowned for its excellent soil, water, crops, seasonal weather, and dedicated farmers. Panelists and presentations at the summit spoke to the connection between food security and national security, highlighting how fortunate consumers are to have safe, healthy food that nourishes their communities nationwide and contributes to national security. Furthermore, they discussed the strong agricultural story farmers have to tell, emphasizing the competitive advantage of the Midwest.
Krysta Harden, CEO of the US Dairy Export Council, was a panelist and discussed dairy’s current opportunities and challenges in the export market. The main message was that 18 percent of all US dairy is currently going to the export market, which equals one in six tanker loads of milk from the US. The USDEC staff on the ground helps connect other countries to the US dairy’s story, showcasing practical applications for US cheese, powders, and other products while also sharing the sustainable story about US dairy production. This is an excellent example of the Midwest Dairy farmer’s checkoff investment at work.
Midwest Dairy looks forward to additional opportunities to share the Midwest story in dairy forums such as this one.