Staff from the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection's International Agribusiness Center (IABC) joined more than 70 industry leaders, USDA's Foreign Agricultural Service (USDA-FAS) officials, and 9 State Departments of Agriculture at the USLGE annual meeting, February 11–13, in Guadalajara, Mexico. The meeting focused on expanding global market access and aligning 2026 export priorities. Sessions included updates from USDA-FAS representatives from Washington and Mexico, Regional Agricultural Promotion Program and MAP implementation discussions, market outlooks, and strategies to enhance international competitiveness.

A dedicated Mexico market briefing reaffirmed Mexico's role as the number one destination for U.S. agricultural exports, with more than $30 billion in U.S. ag sales in 2024 and over $79 billion in total bilateral agricultural trade. Wisconsin continues to lead the nation in bovine genetics, exporting 59% of all U.S.-produced bovine semen in 2024.

During the meeting, IABC staff engaged with USLGE members to identify new global market opportunities while strengthening established trade partnerships. IABC's participation reinforces Wisconsin's leadership in global genetics markets and supports sustained growth for our livestock and genetic sectors​

Source: Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, International Agribusiness Newsletter, March 2026

In late January of this year, Kazakhstan unveiled its 5-year plan (2026–30) for developing the country’s livestock sector. The overarching goal of the government’s plan, which includes a variety of incentives, is to increase the production of milk and meat for domestic and export channels. In order to realize this production goal, the government’s plan implies the need to import 30,000–60,000 breeding beef and dairy cattle.

Source: USDA Foreign Agricultural Service, Global Agricultural Information Network Report KZ2026-0004