Hog farmers ask Gov. Christie to veto pig rights bill

May 14, 2013

New Jersey bill seeks to ban use of gestation stalls for sows

U.S. hog farmers are urging New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie to veto a bill that would ban the use of gestation stalls for sows. The majority of American hog farmers use gestation stalls for pregnant sows, for animal welfare purposes to ensure individualized care for each animal to mitigate aggression from other sows.

The farm group notes that the veterinarian community recognize the use of gestation stalls and group housing as appropriate ways of housing sows during pregnancy. There is no scientific consensus that suggests that one type of housing is superior.

The legislation has been fiercely advocated by a number of animal rights groups including the Humane Society of the United States (HUSUS). A spokesperson for the National Pork Producers Council Dr. Howard Hill said that the decision about animal well-being should be determined by those who work and care for animals every day. Hill hopes Christie will veto this legislation that would dictate how hog farmers raise their animals.

Video: Dicamba Returns for Georgia Farmers: What the New EPA Ruling Means for Cotton Growers

After being unavailable in 2024 due to registration issues, dicamba products are returning for Georgia farmers this growing season — but under strict new conditions.

In this report from Tifton, Extension Weed Specialist Stanley Culpepper explains the updated EPA ruling, including new application limits, mandatory training requirements, and the need for a restricted use pesticide license. Among the key changes: a cap of two ½-pound applications per year and the required use of an approved volatility reduction agent with every application.

For Georgia cotton producers, the ruling is significant. According to Taylor Sills with the Georgia Cotton Commission, the vast majority of cotton planted in the state carries the dicamba-tolerant trait — meaning farmers had been paying for technology they couldn’t use.

While environmental groups have expressed concerns over spray drift, Georgia growers have reduced off-target pesticide movement by more than 91% over the past decade. Still, this two-year registration period will come with increased scrutiny, making stewardship and compliance more important than ever.