How often do I recertify for
PQA™ Level III?
Effective February 1, 2004, the certification for
the Level III of the
Pork Checkoff’s
Pork Quality
Assurance™ (PQA) Program was extended to a
three-year time period.
Who can
certify for
PQA?
Three professional types can certify
PQA: They
are a veterinarian, an Extension agent and an
agriculture instructor.
How
often do youth need to certify for PQA?
Effective February 1, 2004, changes were implemented
for the
Youth PQA program. Youth aged 9-19 attend an
annual class for certification. Youth aged 12 -15 or
15 - 19 have the option to take a closed book test
if they want to certify for the duration of their
age bracket.
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What is the
Trucker Quality Assurance™ program, and who needs to
be certified?
The Trucker Quality Assurance™ (TQA) program
encourages dedication to transporting and delivering
the highest-quality, safest product possible. By
completing this program, animal handlers demonstrate
their commitment to “quality assured” pork
transportation and delivery. Whether you are a
producer who hauls his own pigs in a gooseneck
trailer or straight truck, or if you are a trucker
driving a big rig, this course is for you.
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 What
is the current daily slaughter capacity in the
United States for hogs?
As of September 2004, it was 407,875 head. |
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Do you have any
educational
materials for producers?
The
Pork Checkoff has numerous fact sheets,
brochures, books and research data available to
producers. We have also launched a
Distance Learning
set of CDs on various topics that are available to
producers at no charge. Call (800) 456-PORK for more
information. |
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Where can I get a
meat cut chart
or poster?
Meat-cut charts and posters are available for
purchase from the
Pork Checkoff’s merchandise
department by calling (800) 456-PORK, or you can
download them online by going to
porkboard.org/publications/pubIssues.
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What is SWAPSM
and is it mandatory?
The
Swine Welfare Assurance ProgramSM (SWAP) is a
voluntary, science-based program for America’s pork
producers to objectively assess and benchmark the
care
and welfare of their pigs. This is a voluntary
program.
How do I go
about having a SWAP assessment performed?
You can locate a Certified SWAP Educator through
porkboard.org or the
Pork Checkoff Service Center at
(800) 456-PORK or contact your state pork
association.
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