USMEF to honour pig economist Dermot Hayes
Well-known pig economist Prof Dermot Hayes will be the recipient of a prestigious award handed out by the US Meat Export Federation (USMEF). He will be honoured mid-November at a USMEF event in Indianapolis, IN, United States.
Dr 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 honours outstanding figures in the red meat industry who exemplify the exceptional, individual dedication responsible for the federation’s success.
NPPC consulting trade economist
Dr 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 PhD 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 US industry.
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
In a press release shared by the USMEF, Dr Hayes was quoted to say, “When I started, the US was a net importer of pork. Now about 25% to 30% of all US pork muscle meat is exported, and a big proportion of variety meat. That means the US 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.”
He added, “It’s the biggest honour I’ve ever gotten. I’m absolutely astonished that somebody nominated me.” Another major award, the Michael J. Mansfield Award, will be handed to Ted McKinney, CEO of the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA).
