The workshops will take place in Iowa and in Minnesota and are intended for individuals who want to train and certify producers, transporters and animal handlers in TQA.

TQA certification of transporters delivering hogs is required by major packers in the United States. The program focuses on promoting the well-being of pigs during moving and transport, and on improving the quality of pork and pork products.

The workshops offered will certify individuals as TQA advisors capable of offering TQA training and certification to producers, handlers and transporters of pigs. The workshops include a detailed review of program components, update attendees on issues facing transporters and pork producers in today's industry and provide teaching materials and teaching tools that will facilitate the transfer of information to future TQA certified individuals.

A complete agenda, as well as dates and locations for the 2009 TQA advisor training workshops, is available online at pork.org or by clicking here. Questions regarding TQA or the workshops can be directed to the Pork Checkoff Service Center at (800) 456-PORK.