PORK WATCH

North America's Swine Industry Roundup

Ontario Growth, Prop 12 and PRRS Risk

This week's issue tracks Ontario pork modernization, the Senate farm-bill fight over Prop 12, renewed PRRS and ileitis attention, and June hog-inventory signals.

David Gould & Fraser Senebald Estimated Reading Time: 5 minutes

Before you dive into this week’s stories, big news from our Pork Monitor beta: the new Disease Outbreaks Map is now live — plotting ASF, New World screwworm and PRRS detections across North America on one interactive screen. Open it below and tell us what to map next.

🚀 New this week · Free for Pork Watch readers Pork Monitor — the Disease Outbreaks Map is live. Track ASF, screwworm and PRRS detections across North America on one interactive, always-current map. Open the outbreak map  →

Canadian Swine Scene

Pork Congress shows Ontario industry focused on growth despite challenges

Farmtario, June 28th 2026

Farmtario reports the Ontario Pork Congress in Stratford highlighted modernization, disease prevention and new production technologies for pork operations. OPC president Victoria Stewart pointed to PED and PRRS as major profitability risks, while exhibitors and producers discussed tools for efficiency, resilience and barn-level competitiveness in a sector Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada values at $6.3 billion annually.

The U.S. Pork Report

NPPC leads 330 groups seeking Prop 12 fix in farm bill

National Pork Producers Council, June 23rd 2026

The National Pork Producers Council said it led more than 330 agriculture groups in urging Senate Agriculture Committee leaders to include a Proposition 12 solution in the final 2026 Farm Bill. NPPC said the Senate discussion draft contained several pork priorities, including support for the U.S. Swine Health Improvement Plan, but omitted the Prop 12 fix sought by producers.

Weekly pig report tracks producer alarm over Prop 12 negotiations

The Pig Site, June 27th 2026

The Pig Site reports U.S. meat organizations and pork producers are concerned that Senate farm-bill talks are moving without a Prop 12 solution. The report says the omission is a setback for the pork industry's legislative priority, while supporters continue to argue that a state-by-state production-rule patchwork creates market, compliance and cost risk for producers.

Genetics & Breeding Innovation

National Swine Registry expands global reach through genetics and pig exports

The Pig Site, June 27th 2026

The Pig Site reports the National Swine Registry used World Pork Expo to describe expanding international demand for U.S. breeding stock and genetics. The article links genetic exports, breed association services and show programs to a broader strategy for strengthening the pork sector's global footprint while maintaining breed standards and producer relationships.

Illinois nutrition research advances feed efficiency and pig performance

Swineweb, June 23rd 2026

Swineweb reports University of Illinois Monogastric Nutrition Laboratory research continues to focus on feed ingredient evaluation, nutrient digestibility and energy use in swine diets. Led by Dr. Hans Stein, recent work includes net-energy values for soybean meal and the effects of microbial phytase on nutrient availability, with implications for production efficiency and sustainability.

Balanced Breeding & Sustainability

PRRS virus risk has changed, researchers tell World Pork Expo audience

The Pig Site, June 27th 2026

The Pig Site reports World Pork Expo speakers warned that PRRS risk has shifted as producers manage new variants, changing field pressure and high-consequence herd impacts. The article keeps attention on surveillance, diagnostics, vaccination strategy and biosecurity execution, all of which affect breeding-herd stability and the predictability of downstream pig flow.

Ileitis demands greater attention from pork producers

The Pig Site, June 26th 2026

The Pig Site reports ileitis remains an under-managed production disease, with reduced average daily gain, poorer feed efficiency and higher mortality among the practical concerns for producers. The article emphasizes that subclinical disease can erode performance without dramatic barn-level signs, making diagnostic monitoring and prevention programs important for both welfare and margin protection.

Market & Supply Chain Dynamics

USDA June Hogs and Pigs briefing shows breeding herd at 5.88 million

USDA NASS, June 25th 2026

USDA NASS's June 25 executive briefing listed the June 1 U.S. breeding-herd estimate at 5.88 million head, compared with 5.949 million in 2025. The same briefing included Canadian feeder-pig and slaughter-hog import tracking, giving producers and packers a fresh benchmark for sow utilization, replacement flow and North American supply expectations.

Quick Bites

Weaner pig breakeven rose to $28.53, PorkBusiness reports. Read More

PorkBusiness, June 27th 2026

Philippines moved toward ASF vaccine commercialization, The Pig Site reports. Read More

The Pig Site, June 27th 2026

Taiwan pork export sales rose 53 percent through April. Read More

The Pig Site, June 26th 2026

Heat-prep guidance emphasizes ventilation, water and stocking checks. Read More

The Pig Site, June 29th 2026