In October AgSpire’s Director of Business Partnerships, Drew Slattery, spoke at the Expanding Markets Conference, hosted by the Western Sustainability Exchange. Nearly 200 producers and 50 industry professionals gathered to explore new market opportunities and strategies for resilient ranching across Montana and the Western U.S. 

AgSpire connects partners across the supply chain.

Panel Highlights: Why Are Food Companies Investing in Producer Programs? 

At the Expanding Markets Conference, Drew Slattery joined a panel with a producer from Prime Pursuits and two representatives from Walmart to address a central question on many producers’ minds: “Why are companies investing in programs like this?” The panelists explained that major corporations are increasingly committed to supporting American ranchers and farmers, not just for immediate business needs, but to ensure the long-term resiliency of their supply chains. 

As Drew Slattery shared, “Producers are often surprised that Food companies are investing in producer programs because of a mindset that companies don’t care and just want the cheapest beef possible. The reality is, these companies want to help keep ranchers ranching, and investing in producers is how they ensure they have beef to sell 20 years from now.” 

Representatives from Walmart and Prime Pursuits emphasized that their investment in producer programs goes beyond the bottom line. These initiatives help elevate beef production from a commodity industry to a specialized, value-driven business. By rewarding producers for quality and sustainability, these programs open new opportunities for ranchers of all sizes. 

Looking Ahead: Building Resilience Through Partnership  

The panel showcased how collaboration between producers and corporate partners is shaping the future of ranching. By investing in producer programs and prioritizing investing in US beef supply chains, companies like Walmart and Prime Pursuits are helping ranchers build resilient operations and unlock new market opportunities. As these partnerships continue to grow, producers are better positioned to thrive in a changing agricultural landscape. 

To watch the full panel, please click HERE

Interested in more information about how AgSpire connects partners across the supply chain, please click here

About AgSpire

AgSpire works across the agriculture and food industry to design and implement programs that enhance resilience, productivity, and efficiencies. Utilizing regenerative approaches and our deep knowledge of what’s possible within agriculture, our nature-based solutions yield measurable progress toward sustainability goals.

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