The Iowa Pork Industry Center (IPIC), Iowa State University Extension and Iowa Pork Producers Association (IPPA) have teamed up to provide a series of free training sessions for pork producers and others needing certification in the Pork Quality Assurance Plus (PQAPlus) and Transport Quality Assurance (TQA) programs.

IPIC Director John Mabry says the timing of this series is ideal, scheduled between Aug. 26 and Sept. 22 in various Iowa locations. With IPPA’s sponsorship, the sessions are free. Normally, the fee is about $25/person for each session.

“We appreciate the sponsorship of IPPA in helping provide and promote these certification programs in late summer,” Mabry says. “This is a good time for anyone who needs certification in either or both programs to get that accomplished at no charge.”

Preregistration is strongly encouraged for all sessions to ensure adequate materials are available. Contact the ISU Extension swine field specialist listed below to preregister at the desired location for PQAPlus and TQA sessions:

--Aug. 26: Hancock County Extension Office, 327 W. 8th St., Garner; contact Russ Euken, (641) 923-2856 or reuken@iastate.edu;

--Aug. 27: Story County Extension Office, 220 H Ave., Nevada; contact Terry Steinhart, (800) 515-2680 or tsteinha@iastate.edu;

--Aug. 27: Butler County Extension Office, 320 N. Main St., Allison; contact Mark Storlie, (319) 267-2707 or mstorlie@iastate.edu;

--Sept. 9: Northwest Iowa Community College, Bldg. A, Room 118, Sheldon; contact Dave Stender, (712) 225-6196 or dstender@iastate.edu;

--Sept. 15: Jones County Extension Office, 605 E. Main St., Anamosa; contact Larry McMullen, (319) 462-2791 or lkmcmull@iastate.edu;

Sept. 15: Washington County Extension Office, 2223 250th St., Washington; contact Tom Miller, (319) 653-4811 or tmiller@iastate.edu;

Sept. 22: Sac County Extension Office, 620 Park Ave., Sac City; contact Jerry Weiss, (712) 335-3103 or weissj@iastate.edu.

Learn more about PQAPlus at the National Pork Board.