October, 22, 2009 - Pork producers and livestock transporters can earn their individual certification for Transport Quality Assurance (TQA) at a free evening training on Nov. 9 at 7:30 p.m. at Ag Country Farm Credit Services, 102 Atlantic Ave., Morris. TQA trainer will be Lee Johnston, University of Minnesota swine educator based at the West Central Outreach and Research Center in Morris.
To assure adequate seating and materials, pre-registration is encouraged. To pre-register, telephone the Minnesota Pork Board office at (800) 537-7675 or email colleen@mnpork.com. When pre-registering, provide your name, address, telephone number and email, if available.
TQA training is a common hog packer/buyer requirement for the drivers who deliver hogs to the plant and for on-farm animal handlers.
Transporters and pork producers can check their TQA certification status by calling the Pork Checkoff Service Center at (800) 456-7675.
PQA Plus and TQA trainings are hosted by the Minnesota Pork Board, the Pork Checkoff and University of Minnesota Extension Swine Team. For additional training locations and dates go to www.mnpork.com.
PQA Plus and TQA trainings offered in Le Center, Mankato, Waseca and Worthington
October, 22, 2009 - Pork producers and livestock transporters can earn their individual certifications for Pork Quality Assurance Plus (PQA Plus) and Transport Quality Assurance (TQA) at free trainings in LeCenter, Mankato, Waseca and Worthington. These are the final trainings scheduled for these areas this year.
The PQA Plus trainings will be from 10 a.m. to noon and the TQA trainings will be from 1:30-4 p.m. The times are the same at all locations.
The Mankato PQA Plus and TQA trainings will be on Nov. 9 at the Minnesota Pork Office, 151 Saint Andrews Court, Mankato.
The Waseca PQA Plus and TQA trainings will be on Nov. 19 and Dec. 17 at the Southern Research and Outreach Center, Waseca.
The LeCenter PQA Plus and TQA trainings will be on Dec. 7 at the LeSueur County Fairgrounds, LeCenter.
The Worthington PQA Plus and TQA trainings will be Dec. 14 in the Farmers Room of the Nobles County Government Center, Worthington.
To assure adequate seating and materials, pre-registration is encouraged. To pre-register, telephone the Minnesota Pork Board office at (800) 537-7675 or email colleen@mnpork.com. When pre-registering, provide your name, address, telephone number and email, if available.
PQA Plus is required as a condition of sale by nearly all packers for those individuals who provide daily care of pigs, such as owners, managers and employees. The PQA Plus training also describes the site assessment process and how to achieve PQA Plus Site Status. The minimum age for PQA Plus certification eligibility is 14.
TQA training is also a common hog packer requirement for the drivers delivering hogs to the plant and for on-farm animal handlers.
Pork producers can check their PQA and TQA certification status by calling the Pork Checkoff Service Center at (800) 456-7675. Check with your hog packer for their specific requirements of PQA Plus certification, PQA Plus Site Status and TQA certification.
PQA Plus and TQA trainings are hosted by the Minnesota Pork Board, Pork Checkoff and University of Minnesota Extension Swine Team. For additional training locations and dates go to www.mnpork.com.
To schedule an interview with NPPC President Don Butler, contact Dave Warner at (202) 347-3600. Butler will be available for interviews after the hearing from 2-4 p.m. (EST) today, Oct. 22.
Since September 2007, the U.S. pork industry has lost more than $5.3 billion, with pork producers losing an average of nearly $23 per pig over the past 24 months. NPPC will testify on the origins of the economic crisis, the effects of H1N1 on the industry, trade issues that have had an impact on pork exports, efforts to assist pork producers and what it would like congressional lawmakers to do.
WHAT: NPPC Testifies On Pork Industry Economic Crisis
WHEN: Oct. 22, 2009, 10 a.m. EST
WHERE: House Agriculture Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy and Poultry, 1301 Longworth HOB
WHO: Don Butler, President, National Pork Producers Council
NPPC is the global voice for the U.S. pork industry, protecting the livelihoods of America’s 67,000 pork producers, who abide by ethical principles in caring for their animals, in protecting the environment and public health and in providing safe, wholesome, nutritious pork products to consumers worldwide. For more information, visit www.nppc.org.
Oct. 19, 2009 -The announcement by the U.S. Department of Agriculture on Friday that tests are being conducted to determine if three pigs from the Minnesota State Fair in August are the first confirmed cases of the Novel H1N1 virus in the U.S. swine herd provides an opportunity to stress three important messages:
Regardless of the outcome of the tests, you cannot get the H1N1 flu from eating pork. Pork and pork products remain safe to eat and handle.
Scientific studies conducted by the USDA have proven that the H1N1 flu is a respiratory virus, not a food-borne illness, and it is not found in the blood or meat of pigs exposed to the virus.
The two most important steps you can take to protect you and your family from the H1N1 flu are to wash your hands often with soap and water or hand sanitizer and avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
“I would like to echo the comments of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack,” said Chris Novak, chief executive officer of the National Pork Board. “People cannot get this flu from eating or handling pork.”
Statement from the National Pork Producers Council
Oct. 19, 2009 - With today’s announcement by the U.S. Department of Agriculture that pigs in Minnesota tested positive for the 2009 novel H1N1 virus, the National Pork Producers Council reiterates that pork is safe to eat and handle and that, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, flu viruses cannot be transmitted through food, including pork.
Pigs, like people, sometimes get sick or contract influenza viruses and recover. Indeed, pigs in several other countries previously have contracted the novel H1N1 flu.
As it did in late April after initial reports on the H1N1 flu, NPPC is urging pork producers to tighten their existing biosecurity protocols to protect their pigs from the virus, including restricting public access to barns.
RFD-TV to feature a conversation about pork on Oct. 12
What's the latest on the H1N1 flu? What are pork producers doing to be prepared? Is the economic forecast for the nation's pork industry getting any better? Viewers of RFD-TV will have an opportunity to get answers to those questions and more on Monday, Oct. 12, when the Pork Checkoff will sponsor an hour-long program that includes the opportunity for viewers to call in questions.
Long-time farm broadcaster Max Armstrong will be the host for "RFD-Live: A Conversation About Pork," which will air at 7 p.m. (Central Daylight Time). Scheduled guests include: Dr. Steve Meyer, an agricultural economist; Chris Novak, chief executive officer of the National Pork Board; Dr. Paul Sundberg, vice president of science and technology at the National Pork Board; and Wathina Luthi, an Oklahoma pork producer.
"This is a tremendous opportunity for us to tell our story to both pork producers and to others throughout rural America," Novak said.
"As we head into the typical flu season, we want consumers to understand that you cannot get the H1N1 flu from eating or handling pork. But we also want viewers to get a better understanding of what is happening within the pork industry. This is a tough time for pork producers. We want to tell consumers what producers already know: That not only is pork safe, nutritious and delicious, it also is an especially good value at your grocery store right now. This is a great time to be buying pork.
"We also look forward to being able to tell producers about all the measures the Pork Checkoff is taking to promote pork this fall. During the RFD-TV program we will unveil our newest 30-second television commercial."
Novak said he hopes pork producers, as well as viewers who know little about the pork industry, will call in questions.
RFD-TV, now available in 40 million homes, can be viewed on the DISH Network at channel 231 and on DirecTV channel 345. Viewers with cable television should consult their local listings guide.
