The National Pork Board will meet tomorrow (Tuesday) to work on current and future budgets and elect officers. Their meeting is in conjunction with the annual National Pork Industry Conference at the Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri. Also on the board's agenda are a review of the board's candidate nominating procedures, an update on planning for the anticipated fall flu season and a report from the Center for Food Integrity - of which the board is a member.

Market hog prices that have been lower than projected when the board's 2009 budget was approved - plus additional expenditures approved by the board during the H1N1 flu crisis - are prompting the board to review spending for the remainder of 2009. Pork Checkoff staff will recommend spending reductions in several program areas. The board also is expected to approve strategic objectives and set a budget target for 2010.

The board also will elect a new president and vice president. Current President Steve Weaver of California will remain on the board. The current vice president is Tim Bierman of Iowa - who also will remain on the board. Board officers serve one-year terms. Three of the five open board positions will be filled by the Secretary of Agriculture.