The pork industry has until the end of the year before Prop-12 takes full effect and the impacts still remain unknown.
Michael Formica with the National Pork Producers Federation says that while the end-of-the-year grace period will help the transition, it likely will be until later this fall when the full effects come into focus.
He says that fresh pork supplies will soon diminish but there is still product in the freezers.
As the clock ticks down, he says that producers wanting to sell in California after the end of the year will need to be audited. He also notes that costs will ultimately be passed down to the consumer.
Related Stories
RFD NEWS correspondent Frank McCaffrey recently spoke with Dr. Mike Vickers, a South Texas rancher, who says illegal border crossings have dramatically declined in the last year.
Auction manager and West Texas A&M University student Presley Graves joined us to discuss the growth of StockShowAuctions.com and its impact on youth in agriculture.
Texas Farm Bureau President Russell Boening joined us with the latest update on storm conditions and impacts across the state.
Meat stocks rose seasonally but remain below last year overall, while tighter butter inventories could support dairy prices, and belly stocks warrant close watch for pork markets.
A mid-January winter storm delivered snow, ice, and extreme cold to a broad swath of the U.S., disrupting transportation, stressing livestock systems, and adding cost and complexity to winter farm operations as producers look toward spring.
Heavier weights and strong late-year slaughter supported December production, but lower annual totals highlight ongoing supply tightness heading into 2026.