U.S. Protein Sector Has Great Opportunities

The 35th Annual Young Cattlemen’s Conference just happened. If you aren’t familiar with this event, the primary objective is to develop leadership qualities in young cattlemen and women and expose them to all all aspects of the beef industry. The group traveled from Denver to Chicago to Washington D.C.
One repeat speaker each year at this event is JBS Five-Rivers President and CEO Mike Thoren. He shared with the group that JBS Five-Rivers has brought great opportunities for the U.S. protein business.
Thoren: “JBS has a very export-focus philosophy and strategy and I think that that has been the U.S. as a whole for producers and for other industry participants. Four percent of the world’s population lives within the U.S. border — therefore 96 percent is outside. I think that JBS’ focus on supplying those export markets is fantastic opportunity for the U.S. protein business.”
According to Thoren, traceability is another opportunity for the industry.
Thoren: “I think it is simply just needs to be something that - a numerical system that can tie an animal at the end of the production system back to the ranch of origin. So we can put back the steps there. I think we can do this fairly simply. I think that is the focus and as we get something implemented we can develop further to whatever point it morphs and evolves to.”