Lower than anticipated pork prices for 2009 as well as projections that producers may not return to profitability until spring 2010 have reduced revenues from the Pork Checkoff and already have prompted board members to tighten spending for the remainder of 2009. The board earlier this summer authorized a 2010 spending limit of $46.2 million, roughly 20 percent lower than authorized 2009 spending.

"This will be a budget that recognizes that pork producers are hurting and need whatever help they can get from the Pork Checkoff to market their product," said Tim Bierman, a pork producer from Larrabee, Iowa, and president of the National Pork Board. "I hesitate to call this new budget a crisis budget, but that's what it is," he said.

"The producers who will be here 10 and 11 September to produce a balanced budget for the board's consideration in November have their work cut out for them," Mr Bierman said. "There are going to be some very difficult choices and decisions."

Also on the board's agenda the afternoon of 9 September is a review of new consumer research on the effectiveness of the National Pork Board's 22-year-old The Other White Meat® brand.

Board members also are expected to get an update from its task force working on a new strategic plan for the National Pork Board. The producer-led task force has met twice and will meet again later this month before making its recommendation to the board in November. The task force also has participated in listening sessions in Nebraska, Indiana and North Carolina and has conducted an online survey available to all producers.