Cattle Buyers Weekly Editor Steve Kay today was honored with the American Meat Institute’s (AMI) highest award, the Industry Advancement Award during the AMI International Production & Processing Exposition in Atlanta, GA.

Kay was raised on a beef, dairy, sheep and hog farm in New Zealand and is a 40-year veteran of daily newspaper, weekly magazine and newsletter journalism in three countries. He is the founder and editor of Cattle Buyers Weekly, now in its 26th year. Kay also writes monthly columns for publications such as BEEF magazine and media outlets in the U.S., Canada and Australia, and has been the contributing beef editor for Meat & Poultry since 1987. He is widely quoted by print and broadcast media worldwide, from the Wall Street Journal to the Huffington Post.

Kay’s analysis of industry structure issues, the Grain Inspection Packers and Stockyards Administration livestock marketing rule and country of origin labeling have been exceptional, according to AMI Chairman Nick Meriggioli, president of Kraft Foods Inc./Oscar Mayer, who presented the award. His newsletter serves as an essential resource to the industry and to policymakers, who cannot help but consider what he has to say because it is factual, logical and compelling.  

“While everyone in the industry doesn’t agree with Steve every time, there is literally no one who doesn’t respect his knowledge and his passion for the industry. Through his coverage and his analysis, he has helped advance this industry and has forced policymakers to consider proposed policies more thoughtfully,” Meriggioli said. “He is fearless in speaking his mind on issues in public forums, even when his words may make enemies of some people and organizations.”

“Steve is the kind of specialized, thoughtful journalist who is becoming a rare breed today,” Meriggioli said. “While he is at times a fierce competitor with mainstream media, he is also generous in his time with other journalists, offering the benefit of his knowledge as a third party expert and industry analyst.”