Producers and others who need Pork Quality Assurance Plus certification might want to register for the March 22 session in Washington County. The $25 fee can be paid at the door, but preregistration is required to ensure adequate materials. Iowa State Extension swine specialist Tom Miller will lead the training and can answer any questions.
IPIC is offering Pork Quality Assurance Plus (PQA) advisor certification sessions. With the introduction later this year of a new version of PQA Plus, IPIC has scheduled several advisor certification sessions from May through early July. Those interested in receiving or renewing their certification as advisors should check the available dates and locations, registration limits, and application deadlines. One early April session is already full.
The 2019 Iowa Pork Regional Conferences are Feb. 18-22 in five locations across Iowa. Cosponsored by IPIC and Iowa Pork Producers Association, this annual series offers information and industry updates by ISU and other speakers. All sessions are 1-4:30 p.m. at all locations, and PQA certification sessions are 9 a.m. to noon at each location as well. No charge as long as you preregister at least two days prior to the session you wish to attend. Preregister by contacting IPPA's Carla Vanderheiden IPPA by phone 800-372-7675 or email cvanderheiden@iowapork.org Find dates, locations, topics and speakers on the IPPA website.
As the global spread of African Swine Fever continues, it is timely to review on-farm biosecurity. That's why the Iowa Pork Industry Center is partnering with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach swine specialists to offer workshops based on understanding biosecurity and developing plans to implement appropriate strategies. Swine specialist Colin Johnson said one such workshop will be held Feb. 19 at the Marshall County Extension office, beginning at 1 p.m.
"Foreign Animal Disease Preparedness: What to expect and How to prepare" workshops for pig, cattle, sheep and goat producers, extension personnel and veterinarians are scheduled at five Iowa locations, from Feb. 7 to March 12. All are hosted by Iowa Department of Ag and Land Stewardship and Center for Food Security and Public Health at Iowa State University, provided at no cost and include lunch. Attendees at these interactive workshops (8:30 to 3:30 p.m.) will learn what to expect if Foot and Mouth Disease or African Swine Fever is found in the U.S., how long movement could stop and the requirements to move animals once movement restarts, how to protect their animals from diseases, and the use of daily health monitoring strategies in an outbreak. More details on the workshop flyer. Preregister by completing this online form or calling 515-281-5321.
SowBridge, the distance educational series for those who work with sows, boars and piglets, and with genetic and reproductive issues, begins its 11th program year in February 2019. Registration is now underway at a reduced cost of $200 for the full year. Read about the speakers and topics, and sign up soon to ensure materials receipt for the first session.
Registration is now open for the 2019 PorkBridge distance education program, and good news: the cost has decreased to $100. The six-part series begins its run in early Feb. with a registration deadline of Jan. 15 to ensure receipt of program materials by the first session. ISU professor and swine specialist Ken Stalder said industry issues and participant input drive the program content and speaker selection.