The Pork Checkoff is hosting the Pork Quality and Safety Summit Aug. 17-18 and the Antimicrobial Resistance and Alternatives Summit on Aug. 18.  Both meetings will be at the University Park Holiday Inn in West Des Moines, Iowa. 

"These summits will be the premier spot to learn about Checkoff-funded research," said Jill Appell, a pork producer from Altona, Ill., and chair of the Pork Checkoff's Pork Safety Committee.  "The Pork Checkoff is at work in research and this will be a key point to learn about the results of science-based efforts by the Pork Checkoff and from other experts who will speak on key current areas of interest in quality and safety."

The Pork Quality and Safety Summit will have general sessions and three concurrent sessions - pre-harvest, post-harvest and pork quality.  The Pork Quality and Safety Summit will run from 10 a.m. Aug. 17 through noon on Aug. 18. 

The Antimicrobial Resistance and Alternatives Summit will run from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Aug. 18.  It will include updates on Pork Checkoff plans for research, education and communications on antimicrobial use and resistance, as well as results of Checkoff-funded research in this area.

A complete agenda and registration information are available (Click Here).  The registration fee for general attendees is $170 in advance or $195 at the door; the fee for pork producers is $100 in advance or $125 at the door.

"People who cannot attend these summits can find results of Checkoff-funded research on the Internet at porkboard.org or by calling the Pork Checkoff Service Center," Appell said.  The Pork Checkoff Service Center can be reached from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday at (800) 456-PORK.

National Pork Board has responsibility for Checkoff-funded research, promotion and consumer information projects and for communicating with pork producers and the public.  Through a legislative national Pork Checkoff, pork producers invest $0.40 for each $100 value of hogs sold.  Pork importers also invest a comparable amount.  The Pork Checkoff funds national and state programs in advertising, consumer information, retail and foodservice marketing, export market promotion, production improvement, technology, swine health and pork safety.  

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Note to media:  Media interested in attending either meeting can register free of charge by calling Cindy Cunningham, assistant vice president of communications at the National Pork Board, at (515) 223-2600.