Effective Jan. 1, the majority of packers processing cull breeding stock will begin requiring official premises identification number (PIN) tags as a condition of sale. Specifically, the following packers have indicated their plan to participate in the PIN tag requirement: Johnsonville, Hillshire Brands, Calihan Pork Processors, Bob Evans Farms, Wampler’s Farm Sausage, Pine Ridge Farms, Pioneer Packing Co., Pork King Packing and Abbyland Pork Pack. Some have indicated that they will either no longer accept cull breeding stock or may discount the price paid.

The National Pork Board (NPB), the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) and the American Association of Swine Veterinarians have supported producer adoption of the official premises ID number tags for use in breeding swine entering harvest channels. In 2013, the NPB’s Pork Act delegates unanimously passed an advisement asking packers to require the official PIN tags as a condition of sale by Jan. 1, 2015. A similar resolution was passed by the NPPC delegate body.

The Pork Checkoff has published an informative FAQ brochure that addresses the implementation of this program. Remind your clients that market cull breeding stock of the impending deadline in order to avoid any delays in market access or potentially discounted prices.