Pa. pig club meets

May 05, 2009

CHAMBERSBURG, Pa. -- The Franklin County 4-H Pig Club had its second meeting April 20 at the Franklin County Extension Office in Chambersburg.

New members were still accepted through this meeting. The total enrollment is now 35.

The annual clubwide trip to Hersheypark in Hershey, Pa., in July also was discussed, as was the clubwide tour of the other members' facilities and projects in July.

Guest speaker Chad Cash of Purina Mills spoke to the group on the topic of feeding pigs. He discussed having clean water and fresh feed for pigs. Keeping pigpens clean and animals healthy also were discussed.

The next meeting is May 18 at 7:30 p.m. at the Franklin County Extension Office, 181 Franklin Farm Lane in Chambersburg.

At this meeting, all members will go through the National Pork Board's Pork Quality Assurance Program. The program emphasizes good management practices in the handling and use of animal health products, leading to a higher-quality, safe pork product that is free of volatile drug residues.

The advantages to the individual producer of participating in the program are improvement of management practices, decreased production costs, avoidance of drug residues and an increased awareness of food safety concerns.

Questions concerning membership, club policies or project responsibilities should be directed to club Leader Jere Wingert at 717-369-3333 or to Karen Hack at the Franklin County Extension office.

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