By Andi Anderson
California’s Proposition 12, a law that sets strict animal housing requirements, is creating challenges for hog farmers across the United States—especially in the Midwest. The law requires any pork sold in California to meet its specific housing standards, even if the animals were raised in another state.
For Illinois farmer Chad Leman, who raises corn and hogs in Eureka, these regulations mean making a difficult decision—whether to change his sow housing practices to maintain access to California’s market or to focus on other buyers. The changes required to comply with Proposition 12 could reduce his hog capacity by about 40%.
This drop in hog numbers would also lower the amount of corn used for feed, creating a ripple effect across the agricultural supply chain. As California accounts for around 15% of the U.S. pork market, the law’s reach is significant.
Many Midwest farmers share concerns about one state setting regulations that affect producers nationwide. They believe that farming practices should be guided by science, economics, and local needs rather than by laws from distant states.
Organizations like Illinois Pork Producers and IL Corn continue to advocate for policies that protect farmers from such far-reaching rules. They argue that while animal welfare is important, regulations should not create economic harm for producers who are already following industry standards.
For farmers like Leman, the debate is about more than just market access—it is about the future of farming and the ability of states to set laws that impact the entire country. “We need to ensure that our farms can operate sustainably without being forced into costly changes that do not fit our operations,” Leman emphasized.
The conversation around Proposition 12 is ongoing, but for now, farmers are watching closely and considering how to adapt in an evolving agricultural landscape.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-grafvision
Categories: Illinois, Livestock, Beef Cattle