Corn & Red Meat: A Win-Win Partnership Feeding the World

How Red Meat Exports Add Value to Every Bushel of Illinois Corn

Illinois corn has long fueled more than American livestock — it plays a critical role in feeding global consumers through a nearly 50-year partnership with the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF). In a new episode of IL Corn TV, host Lindsay Croke sits down with USMEF’s John Hinners to unpack how red meat exports deliver real value back to Illinois farmers.

Since 1976, IL Corn has served as a founding pillar of USMEF, investing checkoff dollars to promote U.S. beef, pork, and lamb around the world. Those efforts directly benefit farmers at home. In 2024 alone, red meat exports utilized more than 525 million bushels of U.S. corn — adding an estimated 59 cents of value to every bushel. Soybean farmers benefit too, with over 100 million bushels of soybeans going to feed hogs tied to export demand.

But USMEF’s work goes far beyond selling traditional cuts. By finding global markets for underutilized products like beef liver, USMEF adds value to the entire carcass. In places like Peru, where iron deficiency is common, USMEF has developed corn-checkoff–supported recipes such as liver burgers and “protein balls” that blend variety meats with other cuts, creating nutritious and in-demand foods that uplift local diets while supporting U.S. agriculture.

John also describes South Korea’s incredible transformation over the past 50 years — shifting from a rice-dominant diet to more than 125 pounds of meat and fish consumed per person each year. Today, South Korea is one of the strongest markets for high-quality, corn-fed U.S. beef and pork.

As John puts it, the future depends on investing forward — in market development, innovation, and farmer leadership through organizations like Illinois Corn Growers Association. Those efforts help keep the next generation profitable, competitive, and rooted in their communities.