March 25, 2009 - The Pork Checkoff will host a news media conference call following the USDA's Quarterly Hogs and Pigs Report on Friday, March 27. This quarterly teleconference will feature two distinguished agricultural economists and their reactions to the report. The teleconference is designed for news media and begins at 3 p.m.The panel will include:
Bob Brown, Independent Market Analyst, Edmond, Okla.
Brad Marceniuk, Livestock Economist, Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture
For teleconference access information, media needs to e-mail Amy Brandel.
Fairfax pork producer demonstrates community service while at national meeting
March 23, 2009 - Pork Leadership Academy members recently traveled to the National Pork Industry Forum in Dallas, Texas, to meet with pork industry leaders and to demonstrate the importance of community service. While there, Minnesota Pork Board’s PLA participant, Mary Peichel of Fairfax, was among the 19 U.S. pork producers who worked at a Dallas mission that provides food for people in need.
Peichel, a Minnesota Pork Board Executive Board member who is actively involved in all aspects of swine production, owns and manages two hog finishing sites and a nursery site.
While in Dallas, Peichel and other PLA members assisted at the Arlington Mission Outreach Center with food distribution to individuals and families in need. Peichel says the friendships and networking opportunities gained through her PLA experiences proved to be an extremely worthwhile investment of her time.
“Since our first PLA meeting last June, the national Pork Checkoff PLA program has allowed me to further develop my leadership skills,” she said. “I have been shown ways to become more actively involved in the pork industry and how to make a difference within my community.”
Additional PLA program activities for Peichel included educational trips to Mexico City, Mexico, Washington, D.C. and San Francisco, Calif., for learning sessions on pork exports, domestic pork marketing and demand enhancement programs.
“I am making a difference in peoples’ lives and at the same time promoting a positive image of pork producers,” Peichel said. “I believe in living the ethical principles outlined in the responsible pork initiative program, We Care.”
At National Pork Industry Forum, which is the annual meeting of the National Pork Checkoff, PLA members were recognized for successfully completing the program and for their commitment to the pork industry.
PQA Plus and TQA training offered April 13 in Marshall
March 24, 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 April 13 in Marshall, Minn.
The trainings will be at the AmericInn, 1406 East Lyon Street, Marshall. 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.
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.
Pork producers can check their PQA and TQA certification status by calling the Pork Checkoff Service Center at (800) 456-7675.
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.
Simulated PQA Plus Site Assessment scheduled for March 27
March 10, 2009 - Major U.S. pork processors, including Hormel, 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.
To help owners, managers and employees of swine production facilities prepared to a site assessment, a simulation of a Pork Quality Assurance Plus (PQA Plus) Site Assessments will be March 27 at the West Central Research and Outreach Center, Morris. The demonstration will begin at 9 a.m. and will conclude with lunch at noon.
The event hosts are the Minnesota Pork Board and University of Minnesota.
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 assessment, 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.
Participation in the simulated PQA Plus site assessment is free. To pre-register, e-mail colleen@mnpork.com or telephone 1-800-537-7675.
For biosecurity purposes, a 24-hour downtime is required by the University of Minnesota prior to entering the swine research facilities.
