Producer Information

Pork Quality Assurance Plus (PQA Plus) Is a workable, credible and affordable solution to assure food safety and animal care. It helps meet the needs of customers including restaurants, food retailers and consumers. Click here for more information. http://www.pork.org/Producers/PQA/PQAPlus.aspx

Trucker Quality Assurance (TQA) is a quality assurance program designed specifically for transporters of pigs. It teaches transporters how to reduce stress of pigs, how to load in extreme weather conditions, proper cleaning methods and more. Not only will truckers have a better understanding of transporting pigs, but they can also proudly display a “Certified Quality Trucker” sticker as a symbol of their additional training! To take part in TQA, please contact Dale Ricker, Swine Extension Specialist, at ricker.37@osu.edu or 419-523-6294. Click here for more information.
http://www.porkboard.org/TQA/intro.asp

On-Farm Assessment & Environmental Review (OFAER) is a free and confidential review by a third-party assessor to identify areas of environmental strengths and challenges on the farm. This program includes an initial application. OPPC can set up help sessions to help producers fill out the application. OFAER is available to all sizes and types of production units. To participate in OFAER, call the Ohio Pork Producers Council office at 1-800-320-7991. Click here for more information: http://www.acwf.org/projects/ofaer.html

Pork Checkoff’s Distance Learning packages can put production improvement courses right on your computer! These CD-ROMs are free to pork producers, and include the topics of farrowing, grower-finishing and gestation management, proper handling, segregated weaning, and much more! Click here to order your free copies today!
http://www.porkboard.org/elearning/cdOrderForm.asp

Ohio State Extension’s Swine Team is also available for training in the following areas: Breeding/Gestation Management, Manure/Odor Management, Grower/Finish Management, Ventilation Troubleshooting, Farrowing Management and Effective Handling of Pigs. Contact Dale Ricker at ricker.37@osu.edu or 419-523-6294 for more information.
http://porkinfo.osu.edu/index.html

Q&A
What is the Strategic Investment Program?
It is the primary source of funds for the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC). These funds are used to strengthen NPPC’s mission to enhance and defend the opportunities for U.S. pork producers at home and abroad.

Investors benefit from NPPC’s actions in the following areas:
Fighting for reasonable legislation and regulation — NPPC keeps costly regulation in check by connecting lawmakers and regulators with the reality of the U.S. pork industry.
Developing revenue and market opportunities — NPPC develops revenue opportunities for investors and aggressively defends investor interests in trade negotiations, increasing export market access for U.S. pork.
Protecting your livelihood — NPPC proactively addresses issues of industry and consumer concern, such as food safety, environmental protection and animal health and welfare.

Pork producers participate by voluntarily investing a percentage of the sales of each market hog sold. A portion of this investment is distributed as unrestricted funds to the state organizations, allowing them to respond to threats on a local basis. Voted into action in 2002 by producer delegates, the program was originally called the Producer Consent program.

Why was the Strategic Investment Program started?
The program was started to assure that adequate funding was available for critical programs focused on public policy, including legislative and regulatory issues management, as well as trade issues. Producer Consent (now called the Strategic Investment Program) was born out of this need. The program also assures that adequate funding is available for state organizations to support their members on local legislative and regulatory issues.

How does the program help on a local and state level?
When you enroll in the Strategic Investment Program, your investment is split between NPPC and your state organization. State affiliates spend these unrestricted funds as directed by the members and leadership of that organization.

Who are investors?
Producers of all types and sizes, representing 35 states, are currently participating. This unified investment allows NPPC and its state affiliates to act with one voice and effectively utilize these resources.

What is the standard investment?
Participating members voluntarily invest 10 cents per $100 of market value.

How do I begin investing?
Sign up by completing the Strategic Investment Program form by clicking here. Return the form to NPPC or your state organization.