It’s a tough time to be in the hog and pig business. California’s Proposition 12 was upheld by the Supreme Court, and with that decision, Massachusetts Question 3 which prescribes similar standards for sow housing, was also green-lighted. Massachusetts was holding off implementation until the Court ruled on the California case. That puts somewhere between 15 and 17 percent of U.S. pork consumption under rules that require expanded sow houses, which come with substantial cost. That impact arguably is moving up stream to feeder pig and sow prices. Feeder pig prices typically follow a seasonal pattern, dropping during the summer months. This year, the drop has already started. Feeder pig prices last week were $22.05 per head for 1...

TAGS – Livestock, North America