Sow Management Considerations for Proposition 12 Changes

Nov 30, 2023

By Matt Romoser

Decisions around sow barn remodeling, reducing sow herd inventory and adjusting gilt flow are some of the challenges U.S. pork producers face as they explore and consider options to make farms compliant with California’s Proposition 12 requirements. A new resource from the Iowa Pork Industry Center offers information for producers who plan to transition their own production.

Matt Romoser, swine specialist with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, is one of the authors. He said the goal for the publication, "Sow Management Considerations with California Proposition 12," was to provide some considerations for producers on how to manage the breeding herd under the guidelines of California Prop 12.

"This fact sheet includes what we know today on how to manage sows under these regulations," he said. "So, whether you're a sow farm manager with no group housing experience, or an owner looking to the future and considering retrofitting or building new, it can be a helpful resource."

Chris Rademacher, associate director of the Iowa Pork Industry Center and extension swine veterinarian; and Laura Greiner, director of Iowa Pork Industry Center and animal science assistant professor, are the other authors.

Source : iastate.edu

Video: Environmental Effects on Sow Fertility - Dr. Isabela Bez

In this special episode celebrating International Women's Day of The Swine it Podcast Show Canada, we bring Dr. Isabela Bez, a veterinarian and PhD student in Brazil, who explains how temperature and light regimes influence sow reproductive performance. She discusses seasonal infertility, climate adaptation, and why environmental monitoring inside barns is critical for herd efficiency. The episode highlights practical management strategies to reduce reproductive losses and improve outcomes. Listen now on all major platforms. "Environmental factors are actually very important on sow reproduction, and sometimes these are the factors that producers tend to not pay attention." Meet the guest: Dr. Isabela Bez / isabela-cristina-cola%c3%a7o-bez-1753381b0 is a veterinarian and PhD student in Animal Science at Pontifical Catholic University of Paraná (PUCPR), Brazil. Her work focuses on swine reproduction, nutrition, and animal welfare, with strong expertise in environmental effects on sow performance. She collaborates with international farms and research groups to improve reproductive efficiency through applied science.