FILE PHOTO: U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack speaks during an interview with Reuters reporters in Washington, U.S., November 29, 2023. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque/File Photo

US agriculture secretary sees ‘chaos’ in meat market without congressional action on Prop 12

Canadian sector worried state-specific regulations will cause severe complications for producers selling into U.S.

There will be chaos in the U.S. meat marketplace without congressional action on California's Prop 12 law that tightened animal welfare requirements for pork products sold in the state, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said during a congressional hearing on Wednesday.



Cattle drink out of a disappearing dugout. Drought remains one of the open questions for the 2024 season.

FCC projects profit loss in 2024

Hits expected on grain price, but economist ‘cautiously optimistic’ on interest rates and input costs

Reading Time: 7 minutes A prominent Canadian ag lender is projecting a 4.8 per cent decline in farm cash receipts in 2024, due in part to a softening market. Consequently, its leading economist is urging producers to find any way to save money. “In this environment, I do think that management skills are absolutely critical,” said J.P. Gervais, vice-president […] Read more



On many hog farms sows are kept in individual stalls or small metal pens when they are pregnant because they can be aggressive. Animal welfare groups argue that sow stalls are inhumane because the sows cannot turn around or express natural behaviours.

California law worries provincial pork industry

Locals will have to follow Prop 12, weakening CUSMA agreement, says industry leader

Reading Time: 4 minutes A leader in Alberta’s pork industry is concerned about the precedent California’s Proposition 12 may set in agricultural trade between Canada and the U.S. Prop 12, which became law Jan. 1, stipulates that sows supplying the state’s consumers must be grouped in housing that provides a minimum of 24 square feet per sow. For Darcy […] Read more





China’s demand for U.S. pork so far has been disappointing, analysts say.
 Photo: Thinkstock

Smaller U.S. swine herd likely as Prop 12 takes effect, think tank says 

Canadian pork sector concerned the animal welfare law will act as a non-tariff trade barrier 

The cost of compliance with a California animal welfare law, which takes full effect on New Year’s Day, will likely shrink the U.S. national hog herd and lead to further consolidation, a Washington State think tank says. “No one will be spared the change in market pressures,” wrote Pam Lewison, director for the Washington Policy […] Read more

A new report says Canada has low emissions for pork and beef production.

Report showcases animal agriculture

Livestock contributes to the overall health of the country, says institute

Reading Time: 2 minutes Glacier FarmMedia – A new report for the Canadian Agri-Food Policy Institute seeks to educate policymakers about the impact of animal agriculture on economic, social and environmental levels. The Forces Impacting Animal Agriculture In Canada: A Synthesis report delves into the issues surrounding cattle, dairy and poultry production in the country and how they are […] Read more