Swine Extension

By Sarah Schieck Boelke, UMN Extension swine educator Originally printed in The LAND - as July 5, 2024, Swine & U column Are you and your farm prepared for the unexpected? An example is a Foreign Animal Disease (FAD) or another disease that may need a response from Regulatory Officials such as local, state, tribal and federal officials. Or the unexpected could be that you are unexpectedly not around to do the day-to-day work around the farm and another person needs to suddenly step in to cover or take over completely. There are many resources available for the pork industry to be prepared for the unexpected. Many of the resources are free and have been developed with input by pork producers. It just takes planning and time on your part to be prepared before a crisis. Secure Pork Supply Secure Pork Supply (SPS) plan gives pork producers, of any size or farm type, the opportunity to voluntarily prepare for a FAD outbreak. The SPS plan was created with funding from Pork Checkoff and t

The University of Minnesota Extension swine team has obtained grant funding from the National Pork Board to conduct Certified Swine Sample Collector (CSSC) training in Minnesota. The grant is to provide logistical and financial support in coordination of CSSC training at several locations around the state. The maximum number of participants for one training session is 12 people so if a farm system would like to train a group of people, it is suggested a herd veterinarian for the farm do the training, but UMN Extension swine members assist the veterinarian with the logistics and financial support for the training. For farms with a few folks, it is suggested to reach out with interest so you are notified when CSSC workshops are scheduled. For more information and to inquire about scheduling a CSSC training for your farm, contact UMN Extension Swine Educator Sarah Schieck Boelke (email: schi0466@umn.edu or phone: 320-235-0726 ext. 2004). Training before an outbreak and ensuring samplers

Photo Source:  National Pork Board By: Diane DeWitte, UMN Extension swine educator Originally printed in The LAND - in the July 5, 2024 Swine Edition It was mid-May when my delight with a good rain began to morph into concern quickly followed by worry. Plentiful May rainfall is always a two-edged sword when its schedule impedes crop planting progress. Continued measurable rain quickly begins to affect all aspects of the farm, and UMN Extension is now fielding house, well and farmstead flooding questions. Everyone’s farm and rainfall issues vary; here are a few strategies and resources for farmers and rural householders dealing with an overabundance of rainfall on the place. RECOGNIZE YOUR STRESS Extension Educator Emily Krekelberg sagely suggests that there is no reward for the one who suffers the most. When farmers don’t take proper care, they put themselves and others in danger. Recognize behavioral signs of stress like worry, poor concentration, isolation and negative talking.

Photo Source:  National Pork Board The University of Minnesota Extension Agricultural Business Management team is hosting four webinars on introductory Farm Transition and Estate Planning starting Wednesday, Aug. 14, and occurring weekly through Sept. 4. All sessions are from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. There is no cost to attendees. Attend one or attend all four! Participants must pre-register to receive the webinar link and materials for each session. Session topics include: Aug. 14: Developing your farm transition goals and assembling your “team” Aug. 21: All things tax: gifting, selling and transferring Aug. 28: Wills, trusts, ownership titling—what does it all mean? Sept. 4: Putting the basics together: estate, retirement, healthcare and business transfer planning