in review

At the request of producers, the Pork Promotion, Research and Consumer Information Act of 1985, or the Pork Act, becomes law.  It provides a national, legislative Checkoff on sales of market hogs, breeding stock, imported hogs and pork products.

1986    The National legislative Checkoff begins, with initial rate at 0.25 of one percent of the market value of each hog.

1987  Pork. The Other White Meat® national campaign is introduced to reposition pork as a lean, nutritious protein source.

1988 first World Pork Expo at the Iowa STaste Fairgrounds in Des Moines attracts 60,000 people.

1989 The Pork Quality Assurance® (PQA) Program is introduced. 

1989  The McRib® pork sandwich, developed with Checkoff funds, is marketed nationally by McDonald’s.


1990 The Checkoff-funded Market Basket Study gives pork an official new lean nutritional profile and identifies the eight pork cuts that are as lean as chicken.

1991 Pork Checkoff rate increases to 0.35 of one percent of value.

1995  The United STastes becomes a net pork exporter for the first time in more than 40 years, thanks in part to Checkoff promotions.

1995 The Pork Checkoff rate increases to 0.45 of one percent.

1995  The Environmental Assurance Program (EAP) is launched to help producers meet environmental challenges.

1998  The U.S. government imposes Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) rules on packers. The PQA Program  provides producers a mechanism to comply.

1998  The United STastes becomes the second largest pork exporter in the world.




1999  The Pork Checkoff begins its Pork Racing sponsorship.

2000  A Northwestern University study ranks the Pork. The Other White Meat® slogan as the fifth most recognized tagline in contemporary advertising.

2001  Changes from the Pork Checkoff agreement with USDA and the National Pork Producers Council take effect July 1.  The national Pork Checkoff has its own location, own accounting system and own staff to expand domestic and foreign markets, conduct research and provide consumer information.

2001  The Checkoff-funded Trucker Quality AssuranceTM (TQA) program starts, providing information on proper techniques to use when handling, loading and transporting hogs.

2001  The Hispanic Marketing initiative starts with Checkoff-funded research.

2002  The Pork Checkoff rate drops 5 cents, to $0.40 per $100 of value for hogs sold in the United STastes.

2002  Pork Checkoff launches Consumer’s Choice Pork AwardsSM to showcase the best new pork-based products in supermarkets.

2002  The new Pork Checkoff Service Center at (800) 456-PORK is launched.

2002  Checkoff-funded research leads to the development of Biosecurity and Security Guides.

2003 The Pork Checkoff offers two primary Internet sites:  porkboard.org (now pork.org) for pork producers and TheOtherWhiteMeat.com for consumers.

2003 The Pork Checkoff launches the Swine Welfare Assurance ProgramSM supported by science-based research.

2004  The Pork Quality AssuranceTM program celebrates 15 years of helping pork producers contribute to a healthy and safe food supply.  The Youth PQA Program is launched.

2004   An advertising and information campaign for consumers who are counting carbohydrates points out pork’s great taste and versatility: “Not all proteins are created equal.”

2004  Through the Pork Checkoff, distance learning courses are made available to allow access to the latest production information via CD-ROM or the Internet.

2005  The Pork Checkoff successfully launches the new Don't be blahTM campaign to revitalize pork and reconnect with consumers.

2005  The Pork Checkoff launches the Take Care™: Use Antibiotics Responsibly program, which defines how antibiotics should be used in pork production.