Three
free educational programs for pork and livestock farmers
planned
A webinar on risk management in
swine production, a workshop on maximizing the value of
manure as a crop fertilizer and a Spanish language Pork
Quality Assurance Plus certification training webinar are
planned for March and April.
Future Swine Profitability: Importance of Implementing
a Sound Risk Management Program, is the title of a March
30 PorkCast webinar. The webinar is from 1-2 p.m. and there
is no cost to participate.
Presenter Bret Oelke, University of Minnesota Extension
Educator specializing in farm business management, will
discuss how to develop and implement a risk management program
that accounts for input costs and revenue. Oelke will also
review the previous two years of volatility and change in
the hog profitability cycle.
To access the live webinar go to www.extension.umn.edu/swine/porkcast
and click on the program title. Link to the program a few
minutes prior to its start to assure there are no connection
problems. During the live program, participants will have
an opportunity to ask the presenter questions. Following
the live program, the webinar will be archived at the University
of Minnesota Swine Extension web site.
PorkCast, a Minnesota Pork Board and University of Minnesota
Extension Swine Program sponsored program, provides pork
farmers with timely information on issues relating to management
and production.
Determining and maximizing manure value is the focus of
the Manure Value Workshop planned for March 31 at the Minnesota
Pork Office, 151 Saint Andrews Court, Mankato. The workshop
begins at 9:30 a.m. and concludes at 12:30 p.m. with lunch.
Workshop seating is limited and preregistration by March
24 is required. There is no cost to attend this workshop
and participants will receive U of M manure management decision-making
resources.
Workshop leader will be Jose Hernandez, University of Minnesota
Extension water resource and nutrient management specialist.
This interactive, hands-on workshop will give participants
an opportunity to work with data from their own operations
and will introduce additional data analysis tools. The recommended
audience for this workshop is livestock and crop farmers,
manure management specialist and environmental consultants.
Participants are encouraged to bring their own laptop computers
to utilize the "What is Manure Worth?" spreadsheet, which
operates on Microsoft Excel. The workshop will begin with
an explanation of factors that determine manure value and
a discussion on how to maximize manure value. This will
be followed by a spreadsheet demonstration and hands-on
use of the computer spreadsheet or paper worksheet to analyze
situations relevant to participants' operations.
To register, contact Colleen Carey at the Minnesota Pork
Office, (800) 537-7675 or colleen@mnpork.com. When registering
by e-mail, include your name, address, daytime phone and
cell phone numbers, and availability of a laptop with Excel.
A free webinar for PQA Plus certification in Spanish will
be April 7 beginning at 2 p.m. Registration for this Minnesota
Pork Board sponsored Spanish PQA Plus training is limited
and is open to Minnesota farms only. To preregister, contact
Trudy Wastweet at trudy@mnpork.com or (800) 537-7675. To
ensure delivery of course materials for use during the webinar,
register before March 31. When registering, each participant's
name, address and birth date must be provided, in addition
to an e-mail address for the location where participants
will view the webinar. Each viewing location will be sent
an e-mail with unique log-in instructions and code. Webinar
viewer requirements are computer with Internet access, audio
speakers, microphone or phone line.
Fairfax pork farmer attends national
meeting Minnesota's presence was visible throughout the
2010 National Pork Forum earlier this month in Kansas City,
Mo. National Pork Forum is the annual meeting of state pork
associations and the Pork Checkoff.
The meeting was attended by 141 voting delegates representing
39 states and U.S. pork importers. Minnesota had 12 delegates
representing the state's pork farmers, including Mary Peichel
of Fairfax.
The delegates were selected at the Minnesota Pork Board
(MPB) annual meeting and were then formally appointed as
Pork Act Delegates by the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture.
All pork producers who pay into the mandatory Pork Checkoff
are eligible to be Pork Act Delegate candidates.
The state delegates' duty at Pork Forum is to provide direction
on Pork Checkoff funded promotion, research and consumer
programs, said MPB President Bill Crawford of Fairmont.
"I believe we were well represented by our delegates,"
Crawford said. "They contributed a great deal to discussions.
Minnesota brought forward an advisement for discussion by
the delegates, we had two individuals elected by the delegates
to serve in leadership positions and we had Minnesota pork
producers who serve on national committees speak before
the delegate body."
Forum highlights included Preston, Minn. pork producer
Craig Mensink's election to a three-year-term on the 15-member
National Pork Board Executive Board. Mensink, who has served
in several state leadership roles, including MPB president,
will begin his official board member duties following formal
USDA approval. Mensink will join Karen Richter of Montgomery,
Minn., as a national board member.
Delegates also elected Waseca, Minn. pork producer Kim
Balfe to the nominating committee. Balfe also begins her
three-year-term following USDA approval. The nominating
committee interviews and recommends candidates for the national
board.
The delegate body also recognized National Hog Farmer magazine
editor Dale Miller of Hampton, Minn., with the Pork Checkoff
Distinguished Service Award and acknowledged pork producers
Monica and Brandon Schafer of Goodhue, Minn. for achieving
the National Environmental Steward Award.
Pork producers and importers contribute 40 cents of every
$100 of sales to the Pork Checkoff. That money supports
pork promotional consumer campaigns, web sites for producers,
consumers and foodservice, and research into animal welfare,
food safety, swine health, environment and other topics.
Fillmore County pork farmer attends
national meeting
Minnesota’s presence was visible throughout the 2010
National Pork Forum earlier this month in Kansas City, Mo.
National Pork Forum is the annual meeting of state pork
associations and the Pork Checkoff.
The meeting was attended by 141 voting delegates representing
39 states and U.S. pork importers. Minnesota had 12 delegates
representing the state’s pork farmers, including Craig
Mensink of Preston.
The delegates were selected at the Minnesota Pork Board
(MPB) annual meeting and were then formally appointed as
Pork Act Delegates by the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture.
All pork producers who pay into the mandatory Pork Checkoff
are eligible to be Pork Act Delegate candidates.
The state delegates’ duty at Pork Forum is to provide
direction on Pork Checkoff funded promotion, research and
consumer programs, said MPB President Bill Crawford of Fairmont.
“I believe we were well represented by our delegates,”
Crawford said. “They contributed a great deal to discussions.
Minnesota brought forward an advisement for discussion by
the delegates, we had two individuals elected by the delegates
to serve in leadership positions and we had Minnesota pork
producers who serve on national committees speak before
the delegate body.”
Forum highlights included Mensink’s election to a
three-year-term on the 15-member National Pork Board Executive
Board. Mensink, who has served in several state leadership
roles, including MPB president, will begin his official
board member duties following formal USDA approval. Mensink
will join Karen Richter of Montgomery, Minn., as a national
board member.
Delegates also elected Waseca, Minn. pork producer Kim
Balfe to the nominating committee. Balfe also begins her
three-year-term following USDA approval. The nominating
committee interviews and recommends candidates for the national
board.
The delegate body also recognized National Hog Farmer magazine
editor Dale Miller of Hampton, Minn., with the Pork Checkoff
Distinguished Service Award and acknowledged pork producers
Monica and Brandon Schafer of Goodhue, Minn. for achieving
the National Environmental Steward Award.
Pork producers and importers contribute 40 cents of every
$100 of sales to the Pork Checkoff. That money supports
pork promotional consumer campaigns, web sites for producers,
consumers and foodservice, and research into animal welfare,
food safety, swine health, environment and other topics.
Minnesota’s presence was visible throughout the 2010
National Pork Forum earlier this month in Kansas City, Mo.
National Pork Forum is the annual meeting of state pork
associations and the Pork Checkoff.
The meeting was attended by 141 voting delegates representing
39 states and U.S. pork importers. Minnesota had 12 delegates
representing the state’s pork farmers, including Jim
Merritt of Elbow Lake. Merritt is a member of the Minnesota
Pork Board Executive Board and volunteers his time promoting
pork and representing MPB at various events throughout the
year.
The delegates were selected at the Minnesota Pork Board
(MPB) annual meeting and were then formally appointed as
Pork Act Delegates by the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture.
All pork producers who pay into the mandatory Pork Checkoff
are eligible to be Pork Act Delegate candidates.
The state delegates’ duty at Pork Forum is to provide
direction on Pork Checkoff funded promotion, research and
consumer programs, said MPB President Bill Crawford of Fairmont.
“I believe we were well represented by our delegates,”
Crawford said. “They contributed a great deal to discussions.
Minnesota brought forward an advisement for discussion by
the delegates, we had two individuals elected by the delegates
to serve in leadership positions and we had Minnesota pork
producers who serve on national committees speak before
the delegate body.”
Forum highlights included Preston, Minn. pork producer
Craig Mensink’s election to a three-year-term on the
15-member National Pork Board Executive Board. Mensink,
who has served in several state leadership roles, including
MPB president, will begin his official board member duties
following formal USDA approval. Mensink will join Karen
Richter of Montgomery, Minn., as a national board member.
Delegates also elected Waseca, Minn. pork producer Kim
Balfe to the nominating committee. Balfe also begins her
three-year-term following USDA approval. The nominating
committee interviews and recommends candidates for the national
board.
The delegate body also recognized National Hog Farmer magazine
editor Dale Miller of Hampton, Minn., with the Pork Checkoff
Distinguished Service Award and acknowledged pork producers
Monica and Brandon Schafer of Goodhue, Minn. for achieving
the National Environmental Steward Award.
Pork producers and importers contribute 40 cents of every
$100 of sales to the Pork Checkoff. That money supports
pork promotional consumer campaigns, web sites for producers,
consumers and foodservice, and research into animal welfare,
food safety, swine health, environment and other topics.
Martin County pork farmers attend national meeting
Minnesota’s presence was visible throughout the 2010
National Pork Forum earlier this month in Kansas City, Mo.
National Pork Forum is the annual meeting of state pork
associations and the Pork Checkoff.
The meeting was attended by 141 voting delegates representing
39 states and U.S. pork importers. Minnesota had 12 delegates
representing the state’s pork farmers, including Bill
Crawford of Fairmont and Jackie Tlam of Dunnell. Crawford
is current president of the Minnesota Pork Board and Tlam
is a member of the MPB Executive Board.
The delegates were selected at the MPB annual meeting and
were then formally appointed as Pork Act Delegates by the
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture. All pork producers who pay
into the mandatory Pork Checkoff are eligible to be Pork
Act Delegate candidates.
The state delegates’ duty at Pork Forum is to provide
direction on Pork Checkoff funded promotion, research and
consumer programs, said Crawford, the.
“I believe we were well represented by our delegates,”
Crawford said. “They contributed a great deal to discussions.
Minnesota brought forward an advisement for discussion by
the delegates, we had two individuals elected by the delegates
to serve in leadership positions and we had Minnesota pork
producers who serve on national committees speak before
the delegate body.”
Forum highlights included Preston, Minn. pork producer
Craig Mensink’s election to a three-year-term on the
15-member National Pork Board Executive Board. Mensink,
who has served in several state leadership roles, including
MPB president, will begin his official board member duties
following formal USDA approval. Mensink will join Karen
Richter of Montgomery, Minn., as a national board member.
Delegates also elected Waseca, Minn. pork producer Kim
Balfe to the nominating committee. Balfe also begins her
three-year-term following USDA approval. The nominating
committee interviews and recommends candidates for the national
board.
The delegate body also recognized National Hog Farmer magazine
editor Dale Miller of Hampton, Minn., with the Pork Checkoff
Distinguished Service Award and acknowledged pork producers
Monica and Brandon Schafer of Goodhue, Minn. for achieving
the National Environmental Steward Award.
Pork producers and importers contribute 40 cents of every
$100 of sales to the Pork Checkoff. That money supports
pork promotional consumer campaigns, web sites for producers,
consumers and foodservice, and research into animal welfare,
food safety, swine health, environment and other topics.
Meeker County pork farmer attends national meeting
Minnesota’s presence was visible throughout the 2010
National Pork Forum earlier this month in Kansas City, Mo.
National Pork Forum is the annual meeting of state pork
associations and the Pork Checkoff.
The meeting was attended by 141 voting delegates representing
39 states and U.S. pork importers. Minnesota had 12 delegates
representing the state’s pork farmers, including Doug
Stade of Eden Valley.
The delegates were selected at the Minnesota Pork Board
(MPB) annual meeting and were then formally appointed as
Pork Act Delegates by the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture.
All pork producers who pay into the mandatory Pork Checkoff
are eligible to be Pork Act Delegate candidates.
The state delegates’ duty at Pork Forum is to provide
direction on Pork Checkoff funded promotion, research and
consumer programs, said MPB President Bill Crawford of Fairmont.
“I believe we were well represented by our delegates,”
Crawford said. “They contributed a great deal to discussions.
Minnesota brought forward an advisement for discussion by
the delegates, we had two individuals elected by the delegates
to serve in leadership positions and we had Minnesota pork
producers who serve on national committees speak before
the delegate body.”
Forum highlights included Preston, Minn. pork producer
Craig Mensink’s election to a three-year-term on the
15-member National Pork Board Executive Board. Mensink,
who has served in several state leadership roles, including
MPB president, will begin his official board member duties
following formal USDA approval. Mensink will join Karen
Richter of Montgomery, Minn., as a national board member.
Delegates also elected Waseca, Minn. pork producer Kim
Balfe to the nominating committee. Balfe also begins her
three-year-term following USDA approval. The nominating
committee interviews and recommends candidates for the national
board.
The delegate body also recognized National Hog Farmer magazine
editor Dale Miller of Hampton, Minn., with the Pork Checkoff
Distinguished Service Award and acknowledged pork producers
Monica and Brandon Schafer of Goodhue, Minn. for achieving
the National Environmental Steward Award.
Pork producers and importers contribute 40 cents of every
$100 of sales to the Pork Checkoff. That money supports
pork promotional consumer campaigns, web sites for producers,
consumers and foodservice, and research into animal welfare,
food safety, swine health, environment and other topics.
Mille Lacs County pork farmer attends national meeting
Minnesota’s presence was visible throughout the 2010
National Pork Forum earlier this month in Kansas City, Mo.
National Pork Forum is the annual meeting of state pork
associations and the Pork Checkoff.
The meeting was attended by 141 voting delegates representing
39 states and U.S. pork importers. Minnesota had 12 delegates
representing the state’s pork farmers, including Dustin
Bakke of Princeton.
The delegates were selected at the Minnesota Pork Board
(MPB) annual meeting and were then formally appointed as
Pork Act Delegates by the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture.
All pork producers who pay into the mandatory Pork Checkoff
are eligible to be Pork Act Delegate candidates.
The state delegates’ duty at Pork Forum is to provide
direction on Pork Checkoff funded promotion, research and
consumer programs, said MPB President Bill Crawford of Fairmont.
“I believe we were well represented by our delegates,”
Crawford said. “They contributed a great deal to discussions.
Minnesota brought forward an advisement for discussion by
the delegates, we had two individuals elected by the delegates
to serve in leadership positions and we had Minnesota pork
producers who serve on national committees speak before
the delegate body.”
Forum highlights included Preston, Minn. pork producer
Craig Mensink’s election to a three-year-term on the
15-member National Pork Board Executive Board. Mensink,
who has served in several state leadership roles, including
MPB president, will begin his official board member duties
following formal USDA approval. Mensink will join Karen
Richter of Montgomery, Minn., as a national board member.
Delegates also elected Waseca, Minn. pork producer Kim
Balfe to the nominating committee. Balfe also begins her
three-year-term following USDA approval. The nominating
committee interviews and recommends candidates for the national
board.
The delegate body also recognized National Hog Farmer magazine
editor Dale Miller of Hampton, Minn., with the Pork Checkoff
Distinguished Service Award and acknowledged pork producers
Monica and Brandon Schafer of Goodhue, Minn. for achieving
the National Environmental Steward Award.
Pork producers and importers contribute 40 cents of every
$100 of sales to the Pork Checkoff. That money supports
pork promotional consumer campaigns, web sites for producers,
consumers and foodservice, and research into animal welfare,
food safety, swine health, environment and other topics.
Minnesota’s presence was visible throughout the 2010
National Pork Forum earlier this month in Kansas City, Mo.
National Pork Forum is the annual meeting of state pork
associations and the Pork Checkoff.
The meeting was attended by 141 voting delegates representing
39 states and U.S. pork importers. Minnesota had 12 delegates
representing the state’s pork farmers, including Pat
Thome of Adams. Thome is a member of the Minnesota Pork
Board (MPB) Executive Board and is chair of the MPB Research
and University Relations Committee.
The delegates were selected at the MPB annual meeting and
were then formally appointed as Pork Act Delegates by the
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture. All pork producers who pay
into the mandatory Pork Checkoff are eligible to be Pork
Act Delegate candidates.
The state delegates’ duty at Pork Forum is to provide
direction on Pork Checkoff funded promotion, research and
consumer programs, said MPB President Bill Crawford of Fairmont.
“I believe we were well represented by our delegates,”
Crawford said. “They contributed a great deal to discussions.
Minnesota brought forward an advisement for discussion by
the delegates, we had two individuals elected by the delegates
to serve in leadership positions and we had Minnesota pork
producers who serve on national committees speak before
the delegate body.”
Forum highlights included Preston, Minn. pork producer
Craig Mensink’s election to a three-year-term on the
15-member National Pork Board Executive Board. Mensink,
who has served in several state leadership roles, including
MPB president, will begin his official board member duties
following formal USDA approval. Mensink will join Karen
Richter of Montgomery, Minn., as a national board member.
Delegates also elected Waseca, Minn. pork producer Kim
Balfe to the nominating committee. Balfe also begins her
three-year-term following USDA approval. The nominating
committee interviews and recommends candidates for the national
board.
The delegate body also recognized National Hog Farmer magazine
editor Dale Miller of Hampton, Minn., with the Pork Checkoff
Distinguished Service Award and acknowledged pork producers
Monica and Brandon Schafer of Goodhue, Minn. for achieving
the National Environmental Steward Award.
Pork producers and importers contribute 40 cents of every
$100 of sales to the Pork Checkoff. That money supports
pork promotional consumer campaigns, web sites for producers,
consumers and foodservice, and research into animal welfare,
food safety, swine health, environment and other topics.
Nicollet County pork farmers attend national meeting
Minnesota’s presence was visible throughout the 2010
National Pork Forum earlier this month in Kansas City, Mo.
National Pork Forum is the annual meeting of state pork
associations and the Pork Checkoff.
The meeting was attended by 141 voting delegates representing
39 states and U.S. pork importers. Minnesota had 12 delegates
representing the state’s pork farmers, including Tim
Waibel of Courtland and Doug Wenner of St. Peter. Both Waibel
and Wenner are members of the Minnesota Pork Board (MPB)
Executive Board.
The delegates were selected at the MPB annual meeting and
were then formally appointed as Pork Act Delegates by the
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture. All pork producers who pay
into the mandatory Pork Checkoff are eligible to be Pork
Act Delegate candidates.
The state delegates’ duty at Pork Forum is to provide
direction on Pork Checkoff funded promotion, research and
consumer programs, said MPB President Bill Crawford of Fairmont.
“I believe we were well represented by our delegates,”
Crawford said. “They contributed a great deal to discussions.
Minnesota brought forward an advisement for discussion by
the delegates, we had two individuals elected by the delegates
to serve in leadership positions and we had Minnesota pork
producers who serve on national committees speak before
the delegate body.”
Forum highlights included Preston, Minn. pork producer
Craig Mensink’s election to a three-year-term on the
15-member National Pork Board Executive Board. Mensink,
who has served in several state leadership roles, including
MPB president, will begin his official board member duties
following formal USDA approval. Mensink will join Karen
Richter of Montgomery, Minn., as a national board member.
Delegates also elected Waseca, Minn. pork producer Kim
Balfe to the nominating committee. Balfe also begins her
three-year-term following USDA approval. The nominating
committee interviews and recommends candidates for the national
board.
The delegate body also recognized National Hog Farmer magazine
editor Dale Miller of Hampton, Minn., with the Pork Checkoff
Distinguished Service Award and acknowledged pork producers
Monica and Brandon Schafer of Goodhue, Minn. for achieving
the National Environmental Steward Award.
Pork producers and importers contribute 40 cents of every
$100 of sales to the Pork Checkoff. That money supports
pork promotional consumer campaigns, web sites for producers,
consumers and foodservice, and research into animal welfare,
food safety, swine health, environment and other topics.
Pipestone County pork farmer attends national meeting
Minnesota’s presence was visible throughout the 2010
National Pork Forum earlier this month in Kansas City, Mo.
National Pork Forum is the annual meeting of state pork
associations and the Pork Checkoff.
The meeting was attended by 141 voting delegates representing
39 states and U.S. pork importers. Minnesota had 12 delegates
representing the state’s pork farmers, including Minnesota
Pork Board (MPB) Vice President Curt Johnson of Jasper.
Johnson is also chair of the MPB Human Capital Committee.
This committee creates and appropriates funding for pork
producers, employees, educators and youth programs and resources.
The delegates were selected at the MPB annual meeting and
were then formally appointed as Pork Act Delegates by the
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture. All pork producers who pay
into the mandatory Pork Checkoff are eligible to be Pork
Act Delegate candidates.
The state delegates’ duty at Pork Forum is to provide
direction on Pork Checkoff funded promotion, research and
consumer programs, said MPB President Bill Crawford of Fairmont.
“I believe we were well represented by our delegates,”
Crawford said. “They contributed a great deal to discussions.
Minnesota brought forward an advisement for discussion by
the delegates, we had two individuals elected by the delegates
to serve in leadership positions and we had Minnesota pork
producers who serve on national committees speak before
the delegate body.”
Forum highlights included Preston, Minn. pork producer
Craig Mensink’s election to a three-year-term on the
15-member National Pork Board Executive Board. Mensink,
who has served in several state leadership roles, including
MPB president, will begin his official board member duties
following formal USDA approval. Mensink will join Karen
Richter of Montgomery, Minn., as a national board member.
Delegates also elected Waseca, Minn. pork producer Kim
Balfe to the nominating committee. Balfe also begins her
three-year-term following USDA approval. The nominating
committee interviews and recommends candidates for the national
board.
The delegate body also recognized National Hog Farmer magazine
editor Dale Miller of Hampton, Minn., with the Pork Checkoff
Distinguished Service Award and acknowledged pork producers
Monica and Brandon Schafer of Goodhue, Minn. for achieving
the National Environmental Steward Award.
Pork producers and importers contribute 40 cents of every
$100 of sales to the Pork Checkoff. That money supports
pork promotional consumer campaigns, web sites for producers,
consumers and foodservice, and research into animal welfare,
food safety, swine health, environment and other topics.
Minnesota’s presence was visible throughout the 2010
National Pork Forum earlier this month in Kansas City, Mo.
National Pork Forum is the annual meeting of state pork
associations and the Pork Checkoff.
The meeting was attended by 141 voting delegates representing
39 states and U.S. pork importers. Minnesota had 12 delegates
representing the state’s pork farmers, including Pam
Gierke of Villard.
The delegates were selected at the Minnesota Pork Board
(MPB) annual meeting and were then formally appointed as
Pork Act Delegates by the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture.
All pork producers who pay into the mandatory Pork Checkoff
are eligible to be Pork Act Delegate candidates.
The state delegates’ duty at Pork Forum is to provide
direction on Pork Checkoff funded promotion, research and
consumer programs, said MPB President Bill Crawford of Fairmont.
“I believe we were well represented by our delegates,”
Crawford said. “They contributed a great deal to discussions.
Minnesota brought forward an advisement for discussion by
the delegates, we had two individuals elected by the delegates
to serve in leadership positions and we had Minnesota pork
producers who serve on national committees speak before
the delegate body.”
Forum highlights included Preston, Minn. pork producer
Craig Mensink’s election to a three-year-term on the
15-member National Pork Board Executive Board. Mensink,
who has served in several state leadership roles, including
MPB president, will begin his official board member duties
following formal USDA approval. Mensink will join Karen
Richter of Montgomery, Minn., as a national board member.
Delegates also elected Waseca, Minn. pork producer Kim
Balfe to the nominating committee. Balfe also begins her
three-year-term following USDA approval. The nominating
committee interviews and recommends candidates for the national
board.
The delegate body also recognized National Hog Farmer magazine
editor Dale Miller of Hampton, Minn., with the Pork Checkoff
Distinguished Service Award and acknowledged pork producers
Monica and Brandon Schafer of Goodhue, Minn. for achieving
the National Environmental Steward Award.
Pork producers and importers contribute 40 cents of every
$100 of sales to the Pork Checkoff. That money supports
pork promotional consumer campaigns, web sites for producers,
consumers and foodservice, and research into animal welfare,
food safety, swine health, environment and other topics.
