Free
hog farmer certification programs offered in Fergus Falls
on May 19
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 Fergus Falls.
The PQA Plus and TQA trainings will be on May 19 at the
Wells Fargo Bank Building, 220 West Washington Avenue. The
PQA Plus training will be from 10 a.m. to noon and the TQA
training will be from 1:30-4 p.m.
To assure adequate seating and materials, preregistration
is strongly encouraged. To preregister, telephone the Minnesota
Pork Board office at (800) 537-7675 or e-mail colleen@mnpork.com.
When preregistering, provide your name, address, telephone
number and e-mail, 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 Plus 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.
Media
Advisory - Agriculture for Free Trade Agreement Press Conference
To stimulate economic and job growth,
the Obama administration’s goal is to double exports
over the next five years, but free trade agreements with
Colombia, Panama and South Korea are stalled in Congress.
This press conference will outline some of the consequences
to U.S. agriculture.
When: May 3
11 a.m. - noon
(Central Time)
Noon – 1
p.m. (Eastern Time)
Call originates from the National
Press Club, Washington, D.C.
Call-in: 1-888-293-6979
Pass code: e-mail
amy@mnpork.com for pass code information
Panelists:
Don Butler, National
Pork Producers Council, immediate past president
Bob Stallman,
American Farm Bureau Federation, president
Dale Schuler,
National Association of Wheat Growers, past president, and
Wheat Associates Joint International Trade Policy Committee
chairman
Steve Foglesong,
National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, president,
Chip Bowling,
Maryland Grain Producers Association on behalf of the National
Corn Growers Association
Sander “Sandy” Ludeman
of Tracy will be honored as a 2010 Siehl Prize Laureate
at a ceremony on May 27 at the University of Minnesota.
Ludeman, together with spouse Peggy, are part of a multi-family
crop and hog operation, SanMarbo Farms.
The Siehl Prize for Excellence in Agriculture is awarded
by the University of Minnesota’s College of Food,
Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences. Recipients are
chosen in three categories: teaching, production agriculture
and agribusiness.
Ludeman, a University of Minnesota graduate with a degree
in agricultural economics, will receive the Siehl Prize
in the production agriculture category. The honor recognizes
his leadership in creating the Soybean Checkoff. In 1979,
Ludeman formed the first county soybean organization in
the United States and was elected Minnesota Soybean Research
and Promotion Council chairman in 1982.
His leadership in developing the Soybean Checkoff has increased
domestic and global soybean awareness and demand, funded
research projects to improve soybean seed genetics, nutritional
qualities and production methods, and has facilitated discovery
of new food and non-food uses for soybeans.
Ludeman is also actively involved in pork production and
annually finishes 15,000 hogs. As an Operation Main Street
speaker, he educates others about pork production’s
positive contributions. In 2005, Ludeman, his brother Brian
and nephew Ben received the 2005 National Environmental
Steward Award from the National Pork Board and National
Hog Farmer magazine.
His leadership has continued at the national and international
levels as an agricultural representative on international
market development trips to Japan, China, Guatemala, Venezuela,
Colombia, Mexico and Spain. The Ludeman family has also
hosted visitors from around the world. The Siehl Prize is
named in honor of philanthropist Eldon Siehl, a successful
Minnesota businessman who wanted to educate the general
public on where their food comes from and to recognize those
who make it their life’s work.
Siehl Prize Laureates have been
selected seven of the previous 16 years.
