North America's hog industry is grappling with multiple issues these days, but is presently feeling better than some of the other livestock industries. That doesn't mean that everything's great, but not yet having to deal with avian flu infections is keeping hog farmers in a cautiously optimistic mood about their challenges.

Issues loom over hog farmers as they gather in Des Moines
Prop 12, bird flu, farm bill top of mind at this year's World Pork Expo

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.

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