Extension Communications
3614 Administrative Services Building
Ames, Iowa 50011-3614
(515) 294-9915
8/8/02
Contacts:
Colin Johnson, Iowa Pork Industry Center, (515) 294-2340
Sherry Hoyer, Iowa Pork Industry Center, (515) 294-4496
Pork Producers Invited to Pork Quality Assurance Meetings
AMES, Iowa -- Pork producers are invited to become certified or renew their certification in the Pork Quality Assurance (PQA) program at one of a series of meetings to be held across Iowa. Program sponsors are Iowa Pork Industry Center (IPIC,) Iowa Pork Producers Association and Iowa State University (ISU) Extension. Eighteen meetings are scheduled from Aug. 26 to Sept. 12. Dates, times and locations for each meeting are listed below.
IPIC extension program specialist Colin Johnson said the meetings will provide opportunities for all pork producers to learn more about the PQA program, animal handling biosecurity, herd health, food safety and other related topics.
"These programs are for all pork producers, whether they're becoming PQA certified for the first time or are recertifying," Johnson said. "In answer to consumer demand, packers expect their producer clients to be certified and these programs will help in that effort."
Speakers will vary by site, but several programs will include Johnson, and IPIC associate director James McKean. McKean also is ISU Extension swine veterinarian. ISU Extension livestock and swine field specialists will present information at programs in their respective areas. Veterinarians also are encouraged to attend with their respective producer clientele. Although the educational content of the PQA program can be achieved during these meetings, veterinarians need to sign the official certification document for each of their producers.
There is no cost for producers to attend the meetings or to obtain PQA certification. For more information, contact your local county ISU Extension office.
Meetings are scheduled as follows:
Aug. 26, 1 p.m., Villisca Senior Center
Aug. 26, 7 p.m., Harlan, Shelby County Hospital, Aubel Room
Aug. 27, 7 p.m., Cylinder Community Center
Aug. 28, 10 a.m., Correctionville Community Center
Aug. 28, 1:30 p.m., Cherokee, Western Iowa Tech Community College
Aug. 28, 7 p.m., Storm Lake, Buena Vista County Extension Office
Aug. 29, 1 p.m., Toledo, Tama County Extension Office
Aug. 29, 7 p.m., Iowa City, Johnson County Fairgrounds, Montgomery Hall
Aug. 30, 1 p.m., Ottumwa, Southern Prairie AEA, Hwy. 63 N
Sept. 3, 1 p.m., Burlington, Des Moines County Extension Office
Sept. 3, 7 p.m., Washington, Pizza Hut
Sept. 4, 7 p.m., Ames, ISU College of Veterinary Medicine, Alumni Room
Sept. 5, 1 p.m., Sac City, Iowa State Bank
Sept. 5, 7 p.m., Carroll Recreation Center
Sept. 9, 1:30 p.m., Peosta, Northeast Iowa Community College, National
Ag Safety Center
Sept. 9, 7 p.m., Winthrop, St. Patrick's Church
Sept. 12, 1 p.m., Waterloo, Hawkeye Community College, Tama Hall
Sept. 12, 7 p.m., Mason City, North Iowa Fairgrounds, 4-H Learning Center
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Extension programs are available to all without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, or disability.