Posted Nov. 20, 2009
Swaledale pork producer Jon Caspers has completed his one-year term as chairman of the United States Meat Export Federation (USMEF) Board of Directors.
Caspers says that while 2009 has presented some extremely difficult challenges, he takes pride in the organization’s efforts to develop global markets for U.S. pork and beef.
“It’s been very challenging, probably one of the most challenging years we’ve experienced in some time, not only with the worldwide economic situation, but also H1N1 issues and trying to keep meat markets open in Asia,” he said.”
The past Iowa Pork Producers Association president says even though pork exports are lagging behind last year’s record pace, he’s still encouraged by this year’s results and the positive impact exports continue to have on pork producers’ bottom line.
Caspers, who has a 13,000-head-per-year nursery-to-finish hog operation in Swaledale, says his time as a USMEF officer offered many new experiences and fresh insights into a wide range of issues.
His term expired at the conclusion of last week’s USMEF Strategic Planning Conference in Denver.
IPPA made a donation to the USMEF scholarship fund to recognize Casper’s contributions to the organization and the meat industry.
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