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
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.
Junior Livestock Champions Grand Champion Market Steer, topping out at $320,000
Rising import pressure and tougher export competition are likely to persist into 2026, supporting domestic supplies while capping export growth.
The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and Public Lands Council published a joint press release regarding the advancement of legislation to delist the Mexican Gray Wolf from the Endangered Species Act.