Virtual fencing. Grain bin monitoring systems. Biodigesters. Nutrient management. Regenerative agriculture. Beef on dairy. Optimizing cattle grazing strategies during a 30-year drought. Developing alternate revenue streams. These were some of the innovations discussed by the USFRA-led farmer and rancher panel as part of this year’s Animal AgTech Innovation Summit.
I had the pleasure of moderating this panel, which consisted of four leaders from the Upper Midwest to Oklahoma and Texas who shared how they use technology to deliver practical results that strengthen profitability. What stood out most was the mindset of continuous improvement. These farmers and ranchers are testing new ideas, managing risk and making decisions that improve both their businesses and the resources entrusted to them.
That is why USFRA remains committed to elevating farmer and rancher voices in conversations about the future of food, fuel and agriculture. Yes, the future of agriculture will be shaped by innovation, but most importantly, it will be made by the people on the land making progress every day.
Thank you for your continued support.
Kevin Burkum
CEO
U.S. Farmers & Ranchers in Action
USFRA’s board of directors is a group of leaders who not only guide the organization but also embody the spirit and innovation of American agriculture. They bring expertise, passion, and a collaborative spirit that drives USFRA forward.
In this video, Dr. Sally Flis, director of sustainability program management and outcome design at Nutrien Ag Solutions, explains how her work with USFRA has created new industry connections as her company finds ways to bring new revenue streams to growers for adopting sustainable practices. She also speaks about Nutrien’s Sustainable Nitrogen Outcomes program that helps growers improve nitrogen efficiency.
USFRA put farmers and ranchers on the main stage at the recent Animal AgTech Innovation Summit in Fort Worth in April.
The event was attended by more than 400 animal ag leaders working in health, genetics, nutrition, academia and government. USFRA developed a panel of farmers that included cattle rancher Mary White of Maher Farms in Oklahoma, Dave Mensink, a Minnesota pork producer, Dr. Ron Gill of Gill Cattle Company in Texas, and USFRA Chair Michael Crinion of Edge Dairy Farmer Cooperative, a dairy farmer in South Dakota. Moderated by USFRA CEO Kevin Burkum, the group shared practical solutions from their farms and ranches related to technology, regenerative agriculture and the importance of farmer profitability.
Kevin participated in a second panel at the summit, “Expanding Market Access: Leveraging Trade Intelligence and Risk Mitigation in Volatile Global Protein Markets.” Moderator Brian Earnest, lead economist for animal protein at CoBank, joined co-panelists Greg Tyler of the Egg Export Council and Courtney Heller of the U.S. Meat Export Federation.
Beef demand remains robust, even as prices stay elevated — and the data backs it up.
USFRA member Cattlemen’s Beef Board and its Meat Demand Monitor (MDM), a monthly national survey tracking U.S. consumer sentiment, offers a clear window into what’s driving purchasing behavior.
USFRA has been recognized by ecoAmerica as a national honoree for its 2026 American Climate Leadership Awards — a $25,000 prize celebrating the advancement of impactful, replicable solutions across the United States.
As a farmer-led organization representing more than 700,000 farmers and ranchers, along with leading agriculture companies, USFRA works to ensure agriculture’s progress is seen, supported, and accelerated.
Across the country, farmers are adopting regenerative practices such as better nitrogen management, planting cover crops, and reducing tillage. These efforts are improving soil health, increasing biodiversity, and sequestering carbon—while making farms more resilient to extreme weather and strengthening the long-term viability of the operations themselves.
USFRA’s podcast, Farm+Food+Facts, is recognized as one of the top podcasts exploring sustainable food systems—and this month’s episodes are not to be missed.
In our newest episode, host Joanna Guza sits down with Austin Gellings, senior director of agricultural services for the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (a USFRA member organization) and Willi Ortner, strategic product manager for Kubota, to discuss a new sanitary design standard for specialty crop equipment. Listen HERE.
New episodes drop every month. Don’t miss out — subscribe to Farm+Food+Facts wherever you listen to podcasts.
Important dates:
May 18-21: Biogas Americas, Detroit
May 27-28: Future of Food and Beverage Forum, Minneapolis
Aug. 19-21: American Coalition for Ethanol – Biofuels Conference, Minneapolis
