USDA Food Safety Officials to Present Regulatory and Research Updates

AMSA is pleased to announce a featured USDA/FSIS Update during the 79th Reciprocal Meat Conference (RMC) in Amarillo/Canyon, Texas on Wednesday, June 24. This session is sponsored by the AMSA Development Council. The session will bring together food safety leaders to discuss emerging research, modernization strategies, and the future direction of science-based food safety systems within the meat and poultry industries.

Building the Next Generation of Food Safety Systems - Mindy Brashears, Ph.D., Under Secretary for Food Safety, U.S. Department of Agriculture
Implementing Our Strategy for Food Safety - Justin Ransom, Ph.D., Administrator, U.S. Department of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS)

Featured Panel: Water & Resilience at RMC 2026

Water resource management and long-term resilience in food production will be a key focus on Wednesday, June 24 during the featured keynote panel, “Water and Resilience: What the Panhandle Teaches Us All,” at the AMSA 79th Reciprocal Meat Conference in Amarillo, Texas. Funded by the Beef Checkoff, this timely discussion brings together leading voices from across the beef supply chain to address one of agriculture’s most pressing challenges.

Featured speakers include Scott Pohlman, Director of Beef Supply Chain Sustainability at Cargill; Ben Weinheimer, President and CEO of Texas Cattle Feeders Association; John Van de Pol, CEO and Owner of Red Rock Dairy; and Molly McAdams, Executive Vice President of Texas Beef Council. Together, they represent diverse perspectives across the protein value chain and will share practical insights, challenges, and solutions.

AMSA 2026 RMC Speakers

Jennifer Martin, Ph.D.

Associate Professor and Extension Specialist, Department of Animal Sciences

Colorado State University

Dr. Jennifer Martin is an Associate Professor and Extension Specialist in the Department of Animal Sciences at Colorado State University. She is originally from Central Texas and received her M.S. (2010) and Ph.D. (2014) from Texas Tech University before joining the Colorado State University faculty in the Spring of 2015. Jennifer’s research spans the livestock and meat sectors and is focused on exploring opportunities and developing solutions with and for industry stakeholders. Jennifer works closely with meat and livestock industry members across Colorado and the nation, notably serving as the Executive Director of the Pet Food Alliance. In addition to her research and extension appointment, Jennifer serves a Presidential Leadership Fellow focused on the university budget, as well as the Strategic Director for the Upskilling Initiative, a workforce development and innovative educational program within the College of Agricultural Sciences which seeks to provide novel career pathways for the agri-food industries. She plays an active role in on campus organizations, including the Provost’s Council for Engagement, Faculty Council, the CSU System Board of Governors, and numerous Department and University committees. In addition to her university work, Jennifer is actively involved in the livestock industry and numerous youth livestock organizations across the country.

79th RMC Invitation from West Texas A&M University

Upcoming RMC Dates and Locations

· June 21-24, 2026 | Amarillo/Canyon, TX

· June 13-16, 2027 | Madison, WI

· June 18-22, 2028 | Rogers, AR

· June 24-28, 2029 | Boise, ID

· June 23-27, 2030 | St. Louis, MO