NCC staff in the past week traveled to two state poultry association events to give presentations. Ashley Peterson was on hand in Ocean City, Maryland to address the Delmarva Chicken Association’s 61st National Meeting on Poultry Health, Processing and Live Production. Meanwhile, Tom Super presented at the California Poultry Federation’s 2026 Annual Conference & Meeting in Monterey, California.
NCC features in a short spotlight column the official representative from each of our Allied Leader and Allied Member companies. This week’s Allied Member Spotlight is Emily Buehler, Associate Vice President – Poultry, at Farm Credit Mid-America.
We asked Emily three questions:
In 2-3 sentences, describe what good or service your company provides to the broiler industry.
Farm Credit Mid-America is a member-owned financial cooperative dedicated to supporting agriculture and rural communities. We provide financing and other financial services that help farmers and agribusinesses invest in their operations, manage risk, and position their businesses for long-term success. We’re proud to partner with America’s poultry farmers and the businesses that support them, helping strengthen an industry that plays a vital role in feeding families across the country and around the world.
Can you briefly describe your position and responsibilities within the company?
As Associate Vice President – Poultry, I work with poultry producers and agribusinesses every day to help them navigate opportunities, challenges, and plans for growth. Whether it’s financing a new project, expanding an operation, or planning for the next generation, I enjoy helping customers find solutions that fit their goals. One of the most rewarding parts of my role is getting to know the people behind these businesses and seeing the positive impact they have on their communities and on consumers across the country.
What is your favorite chicken dish?
Smoked bone-in chicken wings. There’s nothing better than spending a fall Saturday watching Ohio State football with family and friends while enjoying a plate fresh off the smoker.
The San Diego Chicken—also known as The Famous Chicken—was created in 1974 when San Diego State University student Ted Giannoulas was hired by rock station KGB-FM to wear a chicken suit for an Easter promotion at the San Diego Zoo. Before the Chicken, most sports mascots simply waved to crowds. Giannoulas introduced silent comedy routines, improvisational skits, and humorous feuds with umpires and players, establishing the modern sports mascot industry.
WHAT HAPPENED: A bipartisan group of more than two dozen House members sent a letter on August 28 to U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer urging continued pressure on China to fully comply with the U.S.-China HPAI Regionalization Agreement. The letter, signed by 29 lawmakers, representing a majority of the districts that have production and are impacted by the bans, thanked Ambassador Greer for prioritizing chicken market access in recent negotiations with China but pressed for further action to remove remaining restrictions on U.S. chicken exports.
CATCH UP QUICKLY: The letter traces the dispute back to a March 2020 Regionalization Agreement, part of the Phase One Trade Agreement, which was designed to limit trade disruptions from HPAI detections by imposing only statewide (rather than nationwide) bans, with resumption of trade 90 days after virus elimination. While China initially followed those terms after the 2022 HPAI outbreak began, the General Administration of Customs China (GACC) reinstated broader bans in August 2022. By April 2026, 44 states were ineligible to export raw chicken to China — representing nearly 98 percent of registered U.S. chicken facilities.
Following President Trump’s May 2026 visit to China, GACC agreed to resume imports from HPAI-free states as designated by APHIS, lifting restrictions on 17 states. However, the lawmakers note China has not adhered to the agreed five-business-day window for lifting restrictions after receiving APHIS closeout reports. As of August 2026, 21 states remain banned, representing 34 percent of U.S. chicken production, though the letter acknowledges GACC recently lifted restrictions for eight additional states.
WHY IT MATTERS: China’s inconsistent enforcement of the Regionalization Agreement has significantly constrained one of the U.S. chicken industry’s most valuable export markets, particularly for paws and dark meat cuts with limited domestic demand. As recently as 2022, China was the second-largest export market for U.S. chicken, with more than 622,000 metric tons valued at over $1.1 billion. By 2025, shipments had fallen to just 93,978 metric tons valued at $291 million. The letter estimates China’s noncompliance with HPAI regionalization and relisting terms is costing American chicken producers more than $800 million annually.
NCC’s TAKE: NCC strongly welcomes this bipartisan letter and shares the lawmakers’ frustration with China’s inconsistent adherence to the HPAI Regionalization Agreement. We appreciate USTR’s work securing the recent state re-listings and echo the letter’s call for continued, sustained pressure on Beijing to honor its commitments. NCC will continue working with USTR, USDA, and Congress to press for full restoration of market access for all eligible states.
WHAT’S NEXT: The letter identifies Iowa, Maryland, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and South Carolina as states expected to soon meet the Regionalization Agreement’s provisions for lifted restrictions, pending no additional HPAI detections and timely Chinese action on APHIS closeout reports. Lawmakers are urging USTR to continue raising the issue with Chinese counterparts at every opportunity.
Source: Magnific
WHAT HAPPENED: The House on Tuesday passed the Senate’s version of a continuing resolution (CR) to fund the federal government from September 30 — the end of the fiscal year — through December 11. The vote was 370-48, with 19 Republicans and 29 Democrats voting against it and 14 members not voting. The Senate had already approved the measure, and President Trump signed it on Wednesday, removing the threat of a shutdown.
WHAT IT DOES: The CR funds federal agencies generally at current levels through December 11, giving lawmakers additional time to negotiate a full-year funding measure. Republicans are seeking increased defense spending while cutting most non-defense programs; Democrats say that approach is a non-starter and are pushing for a bipartisan approach treating domestic programs with parity.
WHY IT MATTERS: Republicans and Democrats wanted to prevent any possible funding lapse ahead of the Nov. 3 elections, following a record 43-day shutdown last fall over expiring Affordable Care Act tax credits and a subsequent 76-day partial shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security.
WHAT’S NEXT: Government funding runs through December 11 under the CR. Lawmakers will need to reach agreement on full-year appropriations bills or another funding measure before that deadline.
