Swine Extension

A few in-person Pork Quality Assurance Plus (PQA+) and Transport Quality Assurance (TQA) certification sessions are scheduled for 2025. The sessions include the following dates and locations: Nov. 11 : Mankato, MN - Minnesota Pork Office, 151 Saint Andrews Court, Suite 810PQA+ certification is scheduled from 9 a.m. to noon and TQA from 1 to 4 p.m. at all locations unless noted otherwise. If you need to renew your PQA+ or TQA certification and a date listed above does not accommodate your schedule, or if your farm has a large group of employees needing certification, please contact Colleen Carey at the Minnesota Pork Board office at 507-345-8814 or colleen@mnpork.com to schedule an alternative time for training. University of Minnesota Extension provides classes in partnership with the Minnesota Pork Board. PQA+ and TQA certification can be completed online in a self-paced course too. Your UMN Swine Extension Educators Sarah Schieck Boelke and Diane DeWitte can assist you in gaining ...

The Pork Quality Assurance Plus (PQA+) and Transport Quality Assurance (TQA) certification session schedule has not been finalized yet. When it does get finalized you can find scheduled sessions in the following locations: UMN Extension swine course offerings webpage MN Pork Board’s website National Pork Board’s website If you need to renew your PQA+ or TQA certification and can’t wait for the schedule, or if your farm has a large group of employees needing certification, please contact Colleen Carey at Minnesota Pork Board office at 507-345-8814 or colleen@mnpork.com to schedule an alternative time for a training. Classes are provided by the University of Minnesota Extension and Minnesota Pork Board. PQA+ and TQA certification can be completed online in a self-paced course too. Your UMN Swine Extension Educators Sarah Schieck Boelke and Diane DeWitte can assist you in gaining access to online training for PQA+ and TQA. Diane DeWitte - stouf002@umn.edu or 507-384-1745 Sarah Schieck...

A few in-person Pork Quality Assurance Plus (PQA+) and Transport Quality Assurance (TQA) certification sessions are being scheduled this year. The sessions scheduled in 2023 include the following dates and locations: November 14 - Mankato, MN - MN Pork Board Office, 151 St. Andrews Ct., Ste 810 PQA+ certification is scheduled from 9 a.m. to noon and TQA from 1 to 4 p.m. at all locations unless noted otherwise. Pre-registration is required by contacting Colleen at Minnesota Pork Board at colleen@mnpork.com or call 507-345-8814. If you need to renew your PQA+ or TQA certification and a date listed above does not accommodate your schedule, or if your farm has a large group of employees needing certification, please contact Colleen Carey at Minnesota Pork Board office at 507-345-8814 or colleen@mnpork.com to schedule an alternative time for a training. Classes are provided by the University of Minnesota Extension and Minnesota Pork Board PQA+ and TQA certification can be completed onlin...

There is one more in-person Pork Quality Assurance Plus (PQA+) and Transport Quality Assurance (TQA) certification session left in our 2022 schedule and the 2023 schedule is not ready yet. Currently we plan to schedule less frequent certification sessions. Upcoming certification sessions include the following dates and locations: December 8 - Stewartville, MN - American Legion Post 164, 1100 2nd Ave NW. PQA+ certification is scheduled from 9 a.m. to noon and TQA from 1 to 4 p.m. at all locations unless noted otherwise. Information for all PQA+ and TQA certification sessions scheduled for 2022 can be found on UMN Extension webpage under courses and events and searching for ‘PQA’ or ‘TQA’. Information can also be found on MN Pork Board's website ( www.mnpork.com ). Pre-registration is required by contacting Colleen at Minnesota Pork Board at colleen@mnpork.com or call 1-800-537-7675. PQA+ and TQA certification can be completed online in a self-paced course too. Your UMN Swine ...

Upcoming Pork Quality Assurance Plus (PQA+) and Transport Quality Assurance (TQA) certification sessions include the following dates and locations: September 13 - Worthington, MN - Nobles County Government Center, Farmers Room, 315 10th St. November 1 - Mankato, MN - MN Pork Board Office, 151 Saint Andrews Court, Suite 810 December 8 - Stewartville, MN - American Legion Post 164, 1100 2nd Ave. NW PQA+ certification is scheduled from 9 a.m. to noon and TQA from 1 to 4 p.m. at all locations unless noted otherwise. Information for all PQA+ and TQA certification sessions scheduled for 2022 can be found on UMN Extension webpage under courses and events and searching for ‘PQA’ or ‘TQA’. Information can also be found on MN Pork Board's website ( www.mnpork.com ). Pre-registration is required by contacting Colleen at Minnesota Pork Board at colleen@mnpork.com or call 1-800-537-7675. PQA+ and TQA certification can be completed online in a self-paced course too. Your UMN Swine Exte...

An evening PQA (Pork Quality Assurance) Plus certification training is planned for June 9 in Mankato, MN. Time: 6 – 9 p.m. Location: MN Pork Board Office, 151 Saint Andrews Ct. Ste. 810, Mankato, MN Pre-registration is required to Colleen at MN Pork Board at colleen@mnpork.com or call 1-800-537-7675.

An evening PQA (Pork Quality Assurance) Plus certification training is planned for June 9 in Mankato, MN.   Time: 6 – 9 p.m. Location: MN Pork Board Office, 151 Saint Andrews Ct. Ste. 810, Mankato, MN Pre-registration is required to Colleen at MN Pork Board at colleen@mnpork.com or call 1-800-537-7675.

Upcoming Pork Quality Assurance Plus (PQA+) and Transport Quality Assurance (TQA) certification sessions include the following dates and locations: March 22 - Morris, MN - West Central Research & Outreach Center, 46352 State Hwy 329 April 5 - LeCenter, MN - 4-H Family Center LeSueuer Co Fairgrounds, 320 S Plut Ave. May 3 - Faribault, MN - Rice County Fairgrounds, UMN Extension 4-H Office, 1900 Fairgrounds Drive #17. PQA+ certification is scheduled from 9 a.m. to noon and TQA from 1 to 4 p.m. at all locations unless noted otherwise. Information for all PQA+ and TQA certification sessions scheduled for 2022 can be found on UMN Extension webpage   under courses and events and searching for ‘PQA’ or ‘TQA’. Information can also be found on MN Pork Board's website ( www.mnpork.com ). Pre-registration is required by contacting Colleen at Minnesota Pork Board at colleen@mnpork.com or call 1-800-537-7675. PQA+ and TQA certification can be completed online in a self-paced course t...

Upcoming Pork Quality Assurance Plus (PQA+) and Transport Quality Assurance (TQA) certification sessions include the following dates and locations: Jan. 25 - Marshall, MN - AmericInn, 1406 E Lyon St. Feb. 22 - Worthington, MN - Nobles County Government Center Farmers Room, 315 10th St. March 22 - Morris, MN - West Central Research & Outreach Center, 46352 State Hwy 329 PQA+ certification is scheduled from 9 a.m. to noon and TQA from 1 to 4 p.m. at all locations unless noted otherwise. Information for all PQA+ and TQA certification sessions scheduled for 2022 can be found on UMN Extension webpage under courses and events and searching for ‘PQA’ or ‘TQA’. Information can also be found on MN Pork Board's website ( www.mnpork.com ). Pre-registration is needed by contacting Colleen at Minnesota Pork Board at colleen@mnpork.com or call 1-800-537-7675. PQA+ and TQA certification can be completed online in a self-paced course too. Your University of Minnesota Swine Extension Ed...

There are two more in-person Pork Quality Assurance Plus (PQA+) and Transport Quality Assurance (TQA) certification sessions left in our 2021 schedule and the 2022 schedule is already out too. Upcoming certification sessions include the following dates and locations: Nov. 18 - Stewartville, MN - American Legion Post 164, 1100 2nd Ave NW Dec. 2 - Mankato, MN - Minnesota Pork Board Office, 151 Saint Andrews Ct. Ste. 810 Jan. 25 - Marshall, MN - AmericInn, 1406 E Lyon St. PQA+ certification is scheduled from 9 a.m. to noon and TQA from 1 to 4 p.m. at all locations unless noted otherwise. Information for all PQA+ and TQA certification sessions scheduled for 2021 & 2022 can be found on UMN Extension webpage under courses and events and searching for ‘PQA’ or ‘TQA’. Information can also be found on MN Pork Board's website ( www.mnpork.com ). Pre-registration is needed by contacting Colleen at Minnesota Pork Board at colleen@mnpork.com or call 1-800-537-7675. PQA+ and TQA cert...

In-person Pork Quality Assurance Plus (PQA+) and Transport Quality Assurance (TQA) certification sessions are being scheduled again. Upcoming certification sessions include the following dates and locations: Sept. 8 - Morris, MN - West Central Research & Outreach Center, 46352 State Highway 329 Nov. 18 - Stewartville, MN - American Legion Post 164, 1100 2nd Ave NW Dec. 2 - Mankato, MN - Minnesota Pork Board Office, 151 Saint Andrews Ct. Ste. 810 PQA+ certification is scheduled from 9 a.m. to noon and TQA from 1 to 4 p.m. at all locations unless noted otherwise. Information for all PQA+ and TQA certification sessions scheduled for 2021 can be found on UMN Extension webpage under courses and events and searching for ‘PQA’ or ‘TQA’. Information can also be found on MN Pork Board's website ( www.mnpork.com ). Pre-registration is required by contacting Colleen at Minnesota Pork Board at colleen@mnpork.com or call 1-800-537-7675. PQA+ and TQA certification can be completed on...

 At this time, due to COVID-19 guidelines, PQA+ and TQA in-person certification sessions have not been pre-scheduled for the entire 2021 year, but will be scheduled as we go throughout the year based on current COVID-19 guidelines at specific times. However, we have scheduled one PQA+ and TQA certification day per month via Zoom to provide interaction for those who like the "live" contact: Wednesday, May 19 PQA+ certification sessions are scheduled from 9 a.m. to noon and TQA from 1 to 4 p.m. Certification sessions are free, but NOTE pre-registration is required in order to get Zoom connection details. To pre-register contact either Diane DeWitte ( stouf002@umn.edu  or 507-384-1745; by either phone call or text) or Sarah Schieck Boelke ( schi0466@umn.edu  or 320-235-0726 ext. 2004). If you are not familiar with Zoom, we will provide some helpful tips beforehand so your connection to the certification course is seamless. PQA+ and TQA certification can be completed online ...

The following are PQA+ and TQA class dates for the rest of our 2020 Quality Assurance schedule: November 18 – Stewartville, MN – CANCELED December 9 – Mankato, MN – MN Pork Board Office, 151 Saint Andrews Ct., Ste. 810 PQA+ certification is scheduled from 9 a.m. - noon and TQA from 1 - 4 p.m. All certification sessions are free, but NOTE pre-registration is required and no walk-ins will be allowed to accommodate COVID-19 physical distancing protocols. Facemasks are to be worn by attendees so folks should bring a facemask to wear. To register contact Minnesota Pork Board at 1-800-537-7675 or colleen@mnpork.com .  We know during this time, life and activities on the farm must go on, including getting your PQA Plus and TQA certification completed. Feel free to reach out to us, your University of Minnesota Swine Extension Educators Sarah Schieck Boelke and Diane DeWitte, and we will work with you to complete your PQA Plus and/or TQA certification by alternative means if in-person does ...

Congratulations to the following swine faculty and educators from the Swine Extension Team who have had their work published recently. Alkhamis, M. A., Li, C., & Torremorelle, M . (2020). Animal Disease Surveillance in the 21st Century: Applications and Robustness of Phylodynamic Methods in Recent US Human-Like H3 Swine Influenza Outbreaks. Frontiers in Veterinary Medicine, 7 No. 176. Doi: 10.3389/fvets.2020.00176. Bai, Y., Zhao, J. B., Tao, S. Y., Zhou, X. J., Pi, Y., Gerrits, W. J. J., Johnston, L. J ., Zhang, S. Y., Yang, H. J., Liu, L., & Wang, J. J. (2020). Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture. Doi: 10.1002/jsfa.10470.

University of Minnesota Extension has canceled all in-person events from Monday, March 16 - May 15, out of concern about the potential spread of COVID-19 virus. This includes PQA Plus and TQA certification scheduled for the following: April 15 - Worthington, MN - CANCELED May 13 - Hutchinson, MN CANCELED We did not make this decision lightly, but Extension takes the health of our participants and communities seriously. We will let you know as soon as possible whether PQA Plus and TQA will be rescheduled for the Worthington and Hutchinson location. Please watch our Facebook page for those announcements.

Do you need to recertify for PQA Plus and/or TQA but a face-to-face training isn't at a convenient location or time for you? You can recertify for PQA Plus and/or TQA online! No matter if you are seeking certification for the first time or your certification has expired. In order to get online training access a person must contact a PQA Plus Advisor or TQA Advisor to be granted access to those respective programs. Your University of Minnesota Swine Extension Educators Sarah Schieck and Diane DeWitte serve as PQA Plus Trainers and TQA Advisors so feel free to reach out to us to gain access to online training for PQA plus and TQA. Diane DeWitte - stouf002@umn.edu or 507-389-5541 Sarah Schieck - schi0466@umn.edu or 320-235-0726 ext. 2004

Do you need to recertify for PQA Plus and/or TQA but a face-to-face training isn't at a convenient location or time for you? You can recertify for PQA Plus and TQA online! In order to get online training access, a person must contact a PQA Plus Advisor or TQA Advisor  to be granted access to those respective programs. Your University of Minnesota Swine Extension Educators Sarah Schieck and Diane DeWitte serve as PQA Plus Trainers and TQA Advisors so feel free to reach out to us to gain access to online training for PQA plus and TQA. Diane DeWitte - stouf002@umn.edu or 507-389-5541 Sarah Schieck - schi0466@umn.edu or 320-235-0726 ext. 2004

An evening PQA (Pork Quality Assurance) Plus certification training is planned for June 27 in Mankato, MN Time: 6 - 9 PM Location: MN Pork Board Office, 151 Saint Andrews Ct. Ste. 810, Mankato, MN Pre-registration is requested to Colleen at MN Pork Board at colleen@mnpork.com or call 1-800-537-7675.

Are you current with your Pork Quality Assurance (PQA) Plus and/or Transport Quality Assurance (TQA) certification? Upcoming training and certification classes include the following dates: May 16 - Hutchinson, MN - McLeod County Fairgrounds Commercial Building, 840 Century Ave. June 13 - Mankato, MN - MN Pork Board Office, 151 Saint Andrews Ct., Ste. 810 July 18 - Marshall, MN - AmericInn, 1406 E. Lyon St. PQA Plus certification is scheduled from 9:00 a.m. - noon and TQA from 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. at all locations. For updated details view the calendar on the Swine Extension website ( www.extension.umn.edu/swine ). Information can also be found on MN Pork Board's website ( www.mnpork.com ). Pre-registration is encouraged by contacting Colleen at Minnesota Pork Board at colleen@mnpork.com or call 1-800-537-7675.