The U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) announced the 2025 recipients of its two most prestigious awards, who will be honored Nov. 13 at the USMEF Strategic Planning Conference in Indianapolis.
Ted McKinney, CEO of the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA), and who previously served as the first USDA under secretary for trade and foreign agricultural affairs, will receive the Michael J. Mansfield Award. USMEF established this award in recognition of the U.S. Senate majority leader and ambassador to Japan whose five decades of government service advanced U.S. trade relations throughout the world.
Dermot Hayes, who recently retired as an Iowa State University professor and continues to serve as a consulting economist for both the National Pork Board (NPB) and National Pork Producers Council (NPPC), will receive the USMEF Distinguished Service Award. This award honors outstanding figures in the red meat industry who exemplify the exceptional, individual dedication responsible for the federation’s success.
Michael J. Mansfield Award recipient Ted McKinney
Before his service at USDA and NASDA, McKinney served as director of the Indiana Department of Agriculture. His career in the private sector included 19 years with Dow AgroSciences, focusing on government and public affairs, and 14 years as Elanco’s director of global corporate affairs. During his time with Elanco, McKinney served on the USMEF Executive Committee.
He expressed great appreciation for being honored with the Michael J. Mansfield Award.
“What an icon Mr. Mansfield was, to the industry, to policy generally, to all that goes with international trade,” McKinney said. “Just to carry the name of that award and be a recipient, is a happy day and a humbling day. I just have to say thanks again to those many people that helped me on my pathway.”
While McKinney collaborated with USMEF in all of his professional capacities, he fondly recalled working with USMEF’s international staff during his time at USDA.
“In two and a half years as undersecretary, we traveled just shy of a half million international air miles, and we had another 250,000 miles planned that were cut due to COVID,” McKinney explained. “And while there may have been a trip where I didn’t see a USMEF representative, I don’t remember it. We always sought them out, because they’re very wise to each market. They know the people, the culture, and the ups and the downs and the dynamics of trade, including barriers to trade.”
Despite formidable challenges facing U.S. agriculture, McKinney remains optimistic about the future of agricultural trade, citing diversification as the key to long-term success.
“Unequivocally, absolutely, we must stay focused on diversifying the market,” he said. “And the good news is there’s none better at this, in my view, than USMEF.”
USMEF Distinguished Service Award recipient Dermot Hayes
Hayes was raised on a beef, barley and wheat farm in Ireland, and worked at a nearby hog farm. After earning a bachelor’s degree in agriculture and a Ph.D. in economics, he served on the Iowa State University faculty for 39 years. He has served as NPPC’s consulting trade economist for 30 years and as NPB’s consulting international marketing economist since 2010. During this time, Hayes saw tremendous growth in pork trade and in the contribution of exports to the profitability of the U.S. industry
“When I started, the U.S. was a net importer of pork,” he explained. “Now about 25% to 30% of all U.S. pork muscle meat is exported, and a big proportion of variety meat. That means the U.S. industry is that much bigger, because farmers got an opportunity to expand. Just in my home state of Iowa, the number of finishing hogs in the state has doubled over that period, and that brings an enormous economic opportunity to the state.”
Hayes provided critical market research during negotiations of several U.S. free trade agreements, including those with South Korea, Colombia and Central American nations. He worked closely with USMEF staff and representatives in these markets to gain a better understanding of the growth opportunities for U.S. pork. He noted that seeing these opportunities materialize and deliver benefits to the U.S. industry has been especially gratifying.
“Last year I went to Guatemala to look at the market and met with USMEF’s representative (Central America-Dominican Republic Regional Representative Lucia Ruano) there,” Hayes explained. “We met her at a Walmart, and she informed me there are now more than 900 Walmarts in the region, and that just blew me away. And I believe 80% of the pork in Honduras is now sourced out of the United States. So as those Central American economies grow because of free trade, the U.S. pork industry will continue to have fantastic opportunities.”
Hayes noted that those many years of collaboration made his selection as the USMEF’s Distinguished Service Award recipient even more special.
“It’s the biggest honor I’ve ever gotten,” he said. “I’m absolutely astonished that somebody nominated me.”
More details on the USMEF Strategic Planning Conference, which is set for Nov. 12-14 in Indianapolis, are posted here and highlights will be available from the USMEF website.
