October Monthly Luncheon Showcases Kansas State University

Featuring K-State Alumnus Gregg Doud, CEO, National Milk Producer’s Federation

The Agricultural Business Council of Kansas City spotlighted Kansas State University’s Colleges of Agriculture and Animal Health at its October luncheon and meeting on the Olathe Campus. Dr. Ben Wolfe, Olathe campus dean & CEO, discussed the impact that K-State has on the state, region and the world, noting, among others, the school’s concerted effort to create more jobs in agriculture and food production overall. “Food safety and security,” he said, “is a top priority.” Dr. Wolf also announced the Olathe Campus would be awarding $68,000 in new student scholarships.

Dr. Ernie Minton, dean of the College of Agriculture and director of K-State Research and Extension, explained, "A key component of K-State's vision to become the ideal next-generation land-grant university is the College of Agriculture's Agriculture Innovation Initiative." The initiative, he said, includes not only new, state-of-the-art facilities across campus, but also innovative teaching and research approaches that will enable K-State to recruit and retain world-class faculty and researchers.

"We are once again honored that K-State is included in Niche's Top 10 list for 2025 Best Colleges for Agricultural Sciences in America," said Dr. Minton. Niche.com is a Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania-based company that publishes guidebooks on U.S. colleges as well as K-12 schools throughout the U.S.

The featured speaker at the K-State Showcase was alumnus Gregg Doud, who is President and CEO of the National Milk Producer’s Federation.  He noted that America’s farmers have a bright future if the industry can capitalize on available opportunities for exports, technology and value-added products. Before taking the helm at NMPF, Doud served as the Chief Agricultural Negotiator in the Office of the United States Trade Representative from 2018 until 2021. He also was a staff member for the United States Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, where he helped draft the 2012 Farm Bill.

In an overview of the global ag industry, Doud pointed to the strong demand for protein globally, particularly from China. He commented that Chinese consumers love meat: “China is cleaning the world out of beef.” In August, the Chinese imported an all-time record for beef products from around the world. This situation hints at what the next decade could look like for U.S. beef producers, Doud explained. “In no way, shape or form does the supply of animal protein in the world come anywhere near meeting the demand.” He asked the rhetorical question: Who else in the world can make more animal protein?  “It sure isn’t going to be the Europeans, the Chinese, Japanese or Asians,” he answered. The only place on Earth that can comes close to meeting future demand is the United States. “Let’s get in on this; this is where it’s at.”

Doud pointed out that U.S. cattlemen can meet the supply. The problem is the supply chain, and bringing it up to speed requires technology and a review of regulatory obstacles. The Chinese, he said, are investing in “protein development,” so it is in the best interest of the U.S. protein industry to add effective supply chain dynamics to stay ahead of China. The U.S. food industry has a lot going for it. ‘We have the safest food in the world.” The U.S. just has to get it exported more easily with a minimum of red tape. 

Doud summed up his remarks implying the export sector of the U.S. food industry needs more technology investment targeted at food production, processing, distribution and innovation itself.