Business : The Iowa Pork Industry Center and Iowa State University (ISU) Extension are team

The Iowa Pork Industry Center and Iowa State University (ISU) Extension are teaming up to provide training for pork producers and others who need certification in Pork Quality Assurance Plus®(PQA Plus®) and Transporter Quality Insurance (TQA). Programs are set for Thursday, January 13 in Blairstown, according to ISU Extension swine specialist Mark Storlie.

“The programs will be held at the Blairstown Community Center, 305 Locust St.NW , in Blairstown. TQA®will be offered 4 to 6 pm and the PQA Plus®session will be from 6:30 to 8:30 pm,” Storlie said “Attend one program or both, but pre-registration is required for the TQA session.”

Certification will cost $25 per person for one program or $30 per person for both programs. To preregister, contact the Benton County Extension office at (319) 472-4739. Questions may be directed to Mark Storlie by phone at (563) 425-3331 or mstorlie@iastate.edu.

Pork producers are encouraged to check when their current certification will expire, and plan ahead, Storlie said.

“Some packers will be requiring a “PQA Plus®Site Status” by the end of the year,” he said. “It’s important to communicate with your packer to clarify the requirements.”

A “PQA Plus® Site Status” is earned by having a PQA Plus®site assessment conducted by a PQA Plus®Advisor. A list of approved advisors is available at the National Pork Board Web site.

To learn more about PQA Plus™ please see the National Pork Board Web site at http://www.pork.org/Producers/PQAP.aspx