Finance professionals from across the poultry and egg industry gathered at the 2026 USPOULTRY Financial Management Seminar to gain insights into the leadership, economic and market trends shaping the future of the business. The program emphasized the evolving role of finance as a strategic driver of organizational success while examining market conditions, trade developments, and the long-term outlook for animal protein.

Kevin McDaniel, president and CEO of Wayne-Sanderson Farms, presented "A CEO's Leadership Perspective of Poultry Financial Management," emphasizing that finance should serve as a strategic partner rather than a back-office function, with a responsibility to help shape organizational strategy and influence decisions at every level. He encouraged finance professionals to provide clear, timely, decision-oriented insights, focus on the information that matters most and translate complex data into actionable recommendations. McDaniel stressed the importance of leadership through accountability, ownership of performance and forecasting, disciplined financial stewardship and complete transparency. Ultimately, he noted that finance plays a critical role in an organization's success, emphasizing that sound judgment, courage and confident leadership are just as important as technical financial analysis.

An overview of U.S. trade and market trends was provided by Greg Tyler, president and CEO of the USA Poultry & Egg Export Council. Highlighting record broiler production in 2025, growing domestic demand for poultry protein and evolving global export opportunities despite softer overall export volumes, Tyler discussed increasing competition from global producers, expanding opportunities in key export markets and the potential trade implications of highly pathogenic avian influenza vaccination policies. He also addressed geopolitical risks, noting that disruptions to global shipping and fertilizer supplies could increase feed costs and impact poultry trade.

Christine McCracken, executive director of Animal Protein at Rabobank, examined the key factors shaping current and future animal protein markets, highlighting that changing consumer demand is expected to have the greatest near-term impact alongside modest production growth, persistent biosecurity risks and a more cautious investment environment. McCracken noted historically tight U.S. beef supplies driven by the smallest cattle herd in decades, while chicken production is expected to see modest growth and pork production remains relatively steady despite projected global declines in 2026. Looking toward 2030, she emphasized strong long-term global protein demand, with poultry and seafood leading volume growth, continued advances in technology and innovation improving efficiency, shifting trade patterns as China expands its role as a poultry exporter and ongoing influences from animal health, demographics, dietary trends and sustainability on the future of the protein industry.

USPOULTRY is registered with the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy as a sponsor of continuing professional education on the National Registry of CPE Sponsors. Up to 12 CPE credits may be awarded to seminar attendees. State boards of accountancy have final authority on the acceptance of individual courses for CPE credit.