Pork Producers Press for Prop 12 Fix in Farm Bill at D.C. Fly-In

Pat Hord with the National Pork Producers Council joined us to recap producer meetings in Washington and discuss key policy priorities including Prop 12 and agricultural labor.

cherry blossoms cherry trees washington dc_adobe stock.png

Jefferson Memorial in the spring.

WASHINGTON, D.C. (RFD NEWS) — Pork producers are returning home after meetings with lawmakers on Capitol Hill, where discussions focused on Proposition 12, agricultural labor, and broader policy priorities affecting the livestock sector.

Pat Hord with the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) joined us on Friday’s Market Day Report to recap the fly-in and the issues raised during meetings with federal lawmakers and regulators, sharing his key takeaways from the trip and reflecting on the overall energy of the producer fly-in.

In his interview with RFD NEWS, Hord emphasized that pork producers made a strong case for including a fix to Proposition 12 in the next Farm Bill, underscoring concerns about its impact on domestic production and interstate commerce.

Hord emphasized the importance of direct engagement with lawmakers and regulators, noting the positive feedback NPPC received during the week’s meetings with ag policymakers.

He went on to address ongoing labor challenges facing the pork industry and other agricultural sectors, highlighting the need for reliable access to year-round workers to support production demands.

Finally, Hord spoke about his fifth-generation family farm in Ohio and how current policy decisions directly impact day-to-day operations.

Related Stories
Bubba and Amy Miller run Miller Cattle Company in Eros, Louisiana. After visiting other homesteading fairs, they decided to put on their own.
The new AFBF Women in Agriculture survey is accepting responses from women in the industry across the United States now through March 31.
University of Nebraska–Lincoln (UNL) representative Dr. Dirac Twidwell joins us with the latest on woody encroachment conservation efforts in the Great Plains.
API said it stands ready to work with Congress to develop a balanced approach to E15 legislation that promotes fuel choice, supports investment certainty, and contributes to a stable and fair marketplace for American consumers.
In the meantime, Senate Majority Leader John Thune is asking that farmers be allowed to use marketing assistance loans to help stay afloat.

Marion is a digital content manager for RFD News and FarmHER + RanchHER. She started working for Rural Media Group in May 2022, bringing a decade of digital experience in broadcast media and some cooking experience to the team.

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

Key signs of the U.S. beef herd’s recovery are improved pasture conditions, lower feed costs, and increased regulatory alignment and support for producers to implement targeted grazing practices.
Dr. Mark Svoboda with the National Drought Mitigation Center discusses a new global drought report and resources to help operations increase drought resilience.
Treat financial stress as a health risk—know the warning signs, normalize conversations, and connect farm families to local and national support early.
Congress has just over a month of working days left for the year. Plan for uneven USDA service until funding is restored, and closely monitor Farm Bill talks, as avoiding Permanent Law before January 1 is the single biggest risk to markets and milk prices.
Mexico’s tougher, two-step treatment and added checkpoints are catching cases before they can spread—good news for producers near the border.
Harvest Builds As Logistics And Input Costs Shape Fall Decisions