A northwest Iowa hog farmer will be among those sounding off today about a new law that restricts the movement of pigs that MAY be infected with pseudorabies. Kevin Wolfswinkel raises hogs in Osceola County near Sibley. He’s facing having to destroy more than 600 piglets. The law allows him to only move the pigs to an approved site and he says there aren’t many of those sites available.The state law took effect August first. Wolfswinkel says a batch of his hogs are under quarantine after testing positive for pseudorabies, but all of the new hogs have been fully vaccinated against the disease. He says there’s virtually no chance they’re infected, but the law is forcing him to make a tough and expensive decision.He says the 600 head are valued at 20-thousand dollars. Wolfswinkel says the law apparently meant to target large-scale hog lots, but smaller producers are being forced to pay the price. He says he’s all for halting the spread of pseudorabies, but this law isn’t the solution.If Wolfswinkel has to slaughter all of the 600 hogs, he is considering sending the state the bill — or filing some kind of lawsuit. Today’s hearing is scheduled for 2 p-m at the state capitol.
