Direct Line Keeping Our Members Informed kpa@kspork.org • www.kspork.org
Volume XXVIII
2601 Farm Bureau Road • Manhattan, KS 66502 • (785) 776-0442
USDA On-farm Action Plan Announced for Novel 2009 H1N1
Through a combined effort of state and federal animal health officials and pork producers, a comprehensive on-farm plan has been created to keep the pork industry moving as normal even if a U.S. herd is suspected or confirmed as being infected with the novel 2009 H1N1 virus. The plan addresses surveillance and recommended actions. Under this plan, the herd veterinarian will work with the state animal health official and the pork producer to monitor animals for illness. When the herd veterinarian has determined the animals have recovered, or under direction of the state animal health official, pigs would be allowed to move freely through production and market channels. Producers should continue to work with their veterinarian to implement strict biosecurity protocols to prevent possible transmission of the novel H1N1 virus onto their farms. With good surveillance, close cooperation between all interested parties and adherence to strict biosecurity, the pork industry is prepared to effectively manage and resolve novel H1N1 infections in U.S. swine while protecting both public and animal health.
PQA Plus Site Assessment Rebate Program
The Kansas Pork Association, the National Pork Board and the National Pork Producers Council are encouraging all producers to become PQA Plus certified and achieve PQA Plus Site Status. The purpose of this program is to encourage producers to be proactive in providing the best possible care for their animals and show commitment to the ethical principles of pork production as outlined in the We Care responsible pork initiative.
October 2009
Having a PQA Plus advisor review your operation can both improve the well-being and productivity of animals in your care by noting changes or additions that may not otherwise be noticed. The Kansas Pork Association is offering a $100 rebate to Kansas pork producers completing a PQA Plus Site Assessment from August 1 to December 31, 2009. The funding is available on a first-come-firstserve basis. The following requirements and stipulations apply: • Producer must have all site status paperwork completed. • Producer must postmark the rebate form before December 31, 2009. • Rebate amount may not equal more than the total assessment cost. • Rebates available on a first-come, first-served basis only as funds are available. Please contact Tim Stroda at kpa@kspork.org or (785) 776-0442 with questions or to see if funds are still available.
National Eat Together Week Donates 50,000 Pork Meals
This year, America’s pork producers helped those in need to share a meal during the National Eat Together Week. The new program was named “click for a cause” and it began Sunday, Sept. 20 and lasted through Friday September 26. During this time, for every recipe printed or shared from the special National Eat Together Week section of TheOtherWhiteMeat.com, five pounds of pork was donated to Feeding America. Thanks to consumers across the country, America’s pork producers are proud to have donated 10,000 pounds of pork to families in need…equivalent to about 50,000 meals!
Pork Radio Advertisement airing on K-State football
Listeners to Kansas State University football across the state will hear pork advertising during the games on the following list of stations. BELOIT KVSV-AM 1190 AM CHANUTE KINZ-FM 95.3 FM CLAY CENTER KCLY-FM 100.9 FM COFFEYVILLE KGGF-AM 690 AM COLBY/GOODLAND KRDQ-FM 100.3 FM CONCORDIA KNCK-AM 1390 AM DODGE CITY KSKZ-FM 98.1 FM EMPORIA KVOE-FM 101.7 FM GOODLAND KLOE-AM 730 AM GREAT BEND KZRS-FM 107.9 FM HAYS KXNC-FM 104.7 FM HIAWATHA KNZA-FM 103.9 FM HUTCHINSON/WICHITA KHMY-FM 93.1 FM JUNCTION CITY KJCK-AM 1420 AM JUNCTION CITY KBLS-FM 102.5 FM KANSAS CITY WHB-AM 810 AM LIBERAL KSMM-AM 1470 AM MANHATTAN KMKF-FM 101.5 FM MANHATTAN KMAN-AM 1350 AM MARYSVILLE KNDY-AM 1570 AM NORTON KQNK-AM 1530 AM NORTON KQNK-FM 106.7 FM PHILLIPSBURG KKAN-AM 1490 AM PHILLIPSBURG KQMA-FM 92.5 FM PITTSBURG KSEK-AM 1340 AM RUSSELL KRSL-AM 990 AM SALINA KSAL-AM 1150 AM SCOTT CITY KSKL-FM 94.5 FM SENECA KMZA-FM 92.1 FM TOPEKA KQTP-FM 102.9 FM TOPEKA KTOP-AM 1490 AM WICHITA KFTI-AM 1070 AM WINFIELD KKLE-AM 1550 AM
Direct Line Keeping Our Members Informed
Michigan working on tougher livestock rules
Legislation working its way through the Michigan legislature would impose stricter animal husbandry rules on Michigan’s pork and poultry industries. The bill, which has passed the Michigan House on an 87-20 vote, is the result of a compromise reached between the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) and groups representing Michigan’s pork and poultry producers. Sam Hines, executive vice president of Michigan Pork Producers, says the handwriting was on the wall. “You know, the uncertainty that might come with the passage of a ballot initiative—and even the negative implications that would have—was something that both our poultry and pork producers wanted to avoid,” Hines says. The bill would give producers ten years to make the transition to different systems. While the legislation is being compared to California’s law, Hines says it is actually closer to the compromise that HSUS negotiated with Colorado pork producers in 2008. “In our case, it will allow the use of the stalls for breeding purposes until the sow is confirmed pregnant,” explains Hines. “At that time they would have to be co-mingled in a manner where they wouldn’t be impeded or constrained to any great extent.” The bill now goes to the Michigan Senate for consideration.