Friday, Jul 17, 2009
For Immediate Release
Contact: Cindy Cunningham (515) 223-2600
CCunningham@Pork.org
The National Pork Board will work on current and future budgets and elect officers when it meets July 21. The board is meeting in conjunction with the annual National Pork Industry Conference at the Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri.
Market hog prices that have been lower than projected when the board's 2009 budget was approved, plus some additional expenditures approved by the board during the H1N1 flu crisis, are prompting the board to review spending for the remainder of 2009. Pork Checkoff staff will be recommending spending reductions in several program areas. The board also is expected to approve strategic objectives and to set a budget target for 2010. The objectives and budget target will guide producer-led committees and the Plan of Work Committee as they make program and budget recommendations for 2010.
The board also will elect a new president and vice president. Current President Steve Weaver of California will remain on the board. The current vice president is Tim Bierman of Iowa, who also will remain on the board. Board officers serve one-year terms.
Board members Dennis Michael of South Dakota and Dianne Bettin of Minnesota, both of whom served two terms and were not eligible for reappointment, will be attending their final meeting as board members. Their positions and three others will be filled by appointment by U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack. Pork Act Delegates at the 2009 Pork Industry Forum nominated and prioritized eight pork producers for consideration by the secretary. Once the new members are officially appointed , they will serve three-year terms.
Also on the board's agenda are a review of the board's candidate nominating procedures; an update on planning for the anticipated fall flu season, and a report from the Center for Food Integrity, of which the board is a member.
National Pork Board meetings are open to the public. Those wishing to attend are asked to contact Lorraine Garner, lgarner@pork.org or (515) 223-2600.
The National Pork Board has responsibility for Checkoff-funded research, promotion and consumer information projects and for communicating with pork producers and the public. Through a legislative national Pork Checkoff, pork producers invest $0.40 for each $100 value of hogs sold. The Pork Checkoff funds national and state programs in advertising, consumer information, retail and foodservice marketing, export market promotion, production improvement, technology, swine health, pork safety and environmental management. For information on Checkoff-funded programs, pork producers can call the Pork Checkoff Service Center at (800) 456-PORK or check the Internet at www.pork.org.
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