Trish Dowton ID Beef

Serving her second term on Idaho Beef Council Board, I asked Trish Dowton about Idaho Beef Council's marketing strategy. Part of the Idaho Beef Council strategy is focusing on increasing exports of Pacific Northwest beef to Asian markets. So what's behind this strategic direction? Speaker2: Well, you know, the world protein supplier and it's it's more of a global economy than in the past, and there's currently a worldwide shortage of good protein sources. And demand for beef is a 33 year high, and the beef checkoff is also celebrating its 35th year. It started in 1986, and so it's not a coincidence that these things are happening. But in terms of exports, it's a fastest growing sector of the beef supply right now. So currently exports amount for over $400 per head back to producers, and the Asian markets are really developing pretty fast. Like people over there really found that they like U.S. beef, the quality and there's a big demand for it and they're willing to pay for it. Speaker1: Is there any specific Asian market? Speaker2: Well, actually, Japan has traditionally been our largest export market, and in Idaho we're kind of at an advantage because the closest ports are in Washington and Oregon, you know, over in the northwest. Speaker1: Learn more about Idaho beef checkoff programs and resources by visiting I'd Beef.