Lawmakers are digging into the impacts of California’s Prop 12.
The House Agriculture Committee is hearing from producers, economists, and legal experts. One Farm Bureau attorney says that the Supreme Court’s decision created a legal mess.
He says that action is needed because the ruling left farmers without clear rules and without a path forward.
According to Travis Cushman, “Farm Bureau’s efforts resulted in a Supreme Court decision that is so convoluted, so confusing, and so contradictory that no one can articulate the state of the dormant commerce clause today or how courts should proceed with similar claims. As you know, you need five of the nine Justices to agree with you to win a case. Six justices agreed with our legal theory and five agreed that we’d established enough facts to win on that claim. An easy win, right? Not quite! Because the way we count votes at the Supreme Court, our farmers lost. The resulting fractured five/four decision lacks a unifying rationale.”
Cushman says that the decision shows why Congress needs to step in.
Without federal rules, more states could pass their own animal care laws that could leave farmers stuck with costly barn changes and no clear standard.
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.
January 26, 2026 03:00 PM
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Heavier weights and strong late-year slaughter supported December production, but lower annual totals highlight ongoing supply tightness heading into 2026.
January 26, 2026 11:19 AM
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USDA Rural Development Director for Kentucky, Travis Burton, joined us to discuss the Princeton facility (formerly Porter Road Meats), now backed by the USDA, and its role in expanding domestic meat processing capacity.
January 23, 2026 03:39 PM
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Jack Hubbard, with the Center for the Environment and Welfare, shares context and perspective on the controversial letter about Prop 12 circulating in Washington and how a review shows it misled the public.
January 22, 2026 06:25 PM
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Despite rising costs and growing food insecurity, meat demand remained strong in 2025 as higher-income consumers offset cutbacks elsewhere. Economists break down the K-shaped economy, upcoming USDA cattle reports, livestock production outlooks, and renewed debate over beef imports and country-of-origin labeling heading into 2026.
January 20, 2026 02:47 PM
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Midland County Livestock Association President Brandon Mitchell reflects on another strong year for the event, including a premium sale that once again topped the million-dollar mark.
January 20, 2026 08:00 AM
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Midland County Junior Livestock Show in West Texas features swine competition with top exhibitors, including Grand Champion Brinley Wilson, ahead of Saturday’s premium sale.
January 15, 2026 04:07 PM
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China’s beef policy risk stems from domestic volatility, making export demand inherently unstable. Jake Charleston with Specialty Risk Insurance offers his perspective on cattle markets, risk management, and producer sentiment.
January 13, 2026 02:13 PM
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Strong pork demand and improving beef exports outside China support protein markets despite ongoing trade barriers.
January 13, 2026 06:00 AM
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