Pork producers invited to experience a mock PQA Plus Site Assessment
For more information on this event, contact Minnesota Pork Board Director of Education Trudy Wastweet at (507) 345-8814 or trudy@mnpork.com
February 4, 2009 - Owners, managers and employees of swine production facilities are encouraged to attend a mock Pork Quality Assurance Plus (PQA Plus) Site Assessments. The mock assessments are scheduled for Feb. 6 at the Southern Research and Outreach Center, Waseca, and Feb. 27 at the West Central Research and Outreach Center, Morris. Both demonstrations will begin at 9 a.m. and will conclude with lunch at noon.
The Minnesota Pork Board and University of Minnesota will host the mock PQA Plus Site Assessments.
Major U.S. pork processors have recently required that PQA Plus Site Status must be achieved to fulfill purchasing terms for market hogs. Site Status is achieved through completion of an on-farm site assessment with a trained PQA Plus Advisor.
The goal of PQA Plus Site Status designation is intended to assure consumers that hog farm owners, managers and employees practice high quality animal care and perform the management practices taught during individual PQA Plus certifications.
At the mock assessments, participants will walk through the university’s swine research facilities with a trained PQA Plus Advisor who will explain preparing for an assessment, the site assessment procedure, time requirements for the assessment and the PQA Plus Advisor and farm manager/owner’s role during the on-site evaluation process.
To pre-register contact Colleen Carey at colleen@mnpork.com or 1-800-537-7675. When pre-registering, provide your name, telephone number and E-mail, if available.
For biosecurity purposes, a 24-hour downtime is required by the University of Minnesota prior to entering the swine research facilities.
PQA Plus and TQA training offered Feb. 11 in St. James and March 9 in Rochester
February 4, 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 assurance training events on Feb. 11 at the St. James and March 9 in Rochester.
The St. James training will be at the library, 125 5th Street South beginning with PQA Plus from 1:30-3:30 p.m. and followed by the TQA training beginning at 3:30 p.m.
The Rochester training will be at the Community and Technical College Campus, 1926 College View Drive Southeast, in the Heintz Center, room HA102. PQA Plus training is from 10 a.m. to noon, followed by TQA training from 1:30-4 p.m.
To pre-register contact Colleen Carey at colleen@mnpork.com or 1-800-537-7675. When pre-registering, provide your name, address, telephone number and E-mail, if available.
PQA Plus training sessions certify adults (age 18 and older) in the PQA Plus program's Ten Good Production Practices. The certification applies to 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.
Pork producers can check their PQA certification status by calling the Pork Checkoff Service Center at (800) 456-7675.
TQA training educates and tests individuals for TQA certification. TQA is required by most hog packers for drivers who deliver hogs to the plant and for on-farm animal handlers.
The quality assurance training events are hosted by the Minnesota Pork Board and University of Minnesota Extension Swine Team. For additional training locations and dates go to www.mnpork.com.
