PORK WATCH

North America's Swine Industry Roundup

Disease Risks and Prop 12 Pressure Build

Biosecurity upgrades, disease pressure and U.S. policy fights drove the week’s biggest pork headlines.

David Gould Estimated Reading Time: 4 minutes

Canadian Swine Scene

Sask Pork Expands Digital Biosecurity Platform Across Commercial Farms

Sask Pork will provide Farm Health Guardian’s transport biosecurity platform to all commercial swine farms in Saskatchewan, covering more than 140 sites. Farms.com reports the province-wide rollout is expected to be fully available by August 2026. The move shifts transport biosecurity from paper protocols to real-time monitoring and response, giving producers and veterinarians stronger visibility into movements and exposure risks.

Ontario Pork Confirms Board Leadership and Election Results

Ontario Pork announced Tara Terpstra will continue as chair for a third consecutive year, while TJ Murray remains vice-chair for a second year. The organization also confirmed board election results for three producer representatives. Farms.com says the group will continue focusing on governance, advocacy and risk mitigation for Ontario’s pork sector, giving producers continuity on policy and industry priorities.

The U.S. Pork Report

Coalition of Nearly 400 Groups Urges Congress to Include Prop 12 Relief

On April 27, NPPC and the American Farm Bureau Federation led a coalition of nearly 400 agricultural groups urging congressional leaders to include Proposition 12 relief in the 2026 House Farm Bill. The coalition argues California’s law imposes extraterritorial production rules on pork producers nationwide and risks a patchwork of state mandates that could raise costs and disrupt interstate commerce.

NPPC Presses Prop 12 Fix and Warns on Section 301 Tariff Risks

In its April 24 Capital Update, NPPC said pork producers are still pushing lawmakers to preserve a Prop 12 fix in Farm Bill 2.0 and noted renewed support from veterinary groups. The update also warned that broad Section 301 tariffs could again trigger retaliatory duties on U.S. pork, repeating losses seen in earlier trade disputes and increasing uncertainty for long-term export planning.

Genetics & Breeding Innovation

Roslin Identifies Stem Cell Marker Linked to Stronger Fat Production

The Roslin Institute reported that stem cells carrying the CD13 surface protein produced more than 10 times as much fat as cells without it. According to The Pig Site, the finding could improve the efficiency of cultivated fat production and reduce scaling costs for novel food applications. Researchers said the technique may eventually be adapted across species and cell types.

Balanced Breeding & Sustainability

Rising PEDv and PRRSV Cases Add Risk to U.S. Hog Supply Outlook

The Pig Site reports PEDv positivity on sow farms surged to its highest level since 2022 earlier this winter, while PRRSV rates also climbed sharply year over year. PEDv directly cuts piglet numbers and PRRSV adds production stress, raising the risk of tighter future supplies. The report says disease pressure is now compounding the usual seasonal decline in slaughter and contributing to higher volatility expectations.

Market & Supply Chain Dynamics

Pork Export Sales Drop to Marketing-Year Low

Brownfield reports U.S. pork export sales fell to a marketing-year low for the week ending April 17. USDA data showed China canceled a large volume of U.S. pork, while several other buyers reduced earlier commitments. The decline comes as tariff tensions continue to influence trade flows, even though key destinations still booked purchases and physical shipments remained active.

USDA Reports Higher Pork Cutout as Slaughter Stays Above Year-Ago Pace

USDA’s April 24 afternoon hog and pork summary put the pork cutout at $99.61 per cwt, up $1.79 from the prior session. Loin, butt and belly values all improved, while daily slaughter under federal inspection was estimated at 491,000 head. The report points to firmer wholesale values even as weekly production continues to run above the same period last year.

Quick Bites

European pilot data highlights feed sourcing’s role in pig carbon footprints. Read More

U.S. pork exports ran 2% above last year through February. Read More

Weaning stability improved early feeding behaviour in Leman conference research. Read More