USDA adds Prop 12 hogs to reporting

Nov 20, 2023

Starting Monday, the USDA will add a non-carcass merit premium for hogs raised in compliance with animal confinement legislation to the National Weekly Direct Swine Non-Carcass Merit Premium report. This addition will provide pork industry stakeholders with the information necessary to make informed production and marketing decisions relating to ACL-compliant hogs.

In recent years, some states have passed laws restricting the use of gestation crates in hog production. In some cases, these laws also restrict the sale of animal products originating from any noncompliant operation, including from states where such bans are not in place. Among these is California’s Proposition 12, Farm Animal Confinement Initiative that sets conditions on the sale of pork meat in California regardless of where it was produced and includes the requirement that all products must be from pigs born to a sow housed in at least 24 square feet of space.

Under the Livestock Mandatory Reporting Program, USDA currently publishes non-carcass merit premiums paid for ACL-compliant hogs on the Non-Carcass Merit Premium report. These premiums are found under the “Other” category with other non-carcass characteristics such as antibiotic-free. The number of ACL-compliant merit premiums currently being submitted under LMR are sufficient for this information to be published under a separate category – Animal Confinement Legislation.

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Video: You Be The Judge: Evaluating 8 Breeding Rams!

It's time for some honest feedback here at Ewetopia Farms! Today, we’re showing you all eight rams we used for breeding this year. Instead of just presenting them, we thought it would be fun to create a “Ram Report Card” — where we point out both their strengths and areas for improvement.

But here’s the twist: you be the judge! In the comments, let us know what you like about each ram and what you think could be improved. No ram is ever perfect, but every one of them brings something valuable to the flock. By sharing perspectives, we all learn more about what to look for in good breeding stock.

At Ewetopia Farms, we raise registered Suffolk and Polled Dorset sheep, focusing on high-quality genetics, structure, and friendly temperaments. Evaluating breeding rams is part of the bigger picture of building stronger flocks — and we’re excited to share the process with you.

If you enjoy seeing how we evaluate our animals, follow along by subscribing to our channel. We share daily insights into the joys and challenges of sheep farming here in Canada.