“American exceptionalism” is the notion that the United States occupies a
special niche in the world in terms of its political, economic and historic
development. Consistent with this notion is the unparalleled productivity and
efficiency of America’s food and agricultural system, as evidenced by the
enviable bounty of our nation’s Corn Belt.
Over past decades, meat and poultry production – and the corn required for feed
– has grown dramatically. Today it is the largest sector of the U.S.
agricultural economy, employing more than 6 million workers and generating a
total economic output of more than $830 billion – nearly 6 percent of the GDP.
This growth has been matched by productivity, up 50 percent since 1990. This has
been dictated by growing demand at home and abroad. Domestic consumption of
animal protein products increases every year, topping 230 pounds per capita in
recent years. And no wonder, these products are a comparative bargain: Americans
spend less disposable income on food than any other country, and only 1.5
percent on meat and poultry products.
This success story is testament to the hard work, innovative spirit and
collaborative efforts between livestock producers and meat processors. Parties
in the food supply chain work together to achieve mutually beneficial success
and assure customers’ satisfaction. These cooperative arrangements take a
variety of forms but are generally referred to as marketing agreements They have
emerged as one of the most effective ways to enhance product safety, ensure
consistent products and manage risks in a still volatile industry.
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