Swine Extension

by Megan Roberts, Extension educator, Ag Business Management The United States Department of Agriculture's Farm Service Agency’s   Pandemic Livestock Indemnity Program (PLIP)  opened for application by qualified livestock producers on July 20 and remains open until September 17. The program assists swine, chicken, and/or turkey producers who suffered financial losses due to depopulation related to COVID-19 disruptions, i.e. insufficient access to processing. Losses must have occurred between March 1 and December 26, 2020. Producers must have had  ownership  of the depopulated animals on the day of the loss. In other words, contract growers are not eligible for payment under this program. According to the USDA, "PLIP payments will compensate eligible producers for 80 percent of the loss of the eligible livestock or poultry, and for the cost of depopulation and disposal, based on a single payment rate per head. Any previous payments you received for disposal of your animals

By Dr. Yuzhi Li, Associate Professor of Swine Behavior and Alternative Production in the University of Minnesota Department of Animal Sciences. Originally printed in The LAND – as April 30/May 7, 2021 Swine & U column The University of Minnesota has a network of 10 Research & Outreach Centers (ROCs) across the state, with two of them hosting swine herds in research settings. The Southern Research & Outreach Center (SROC) at Waseca houses an 800-sow commercial farm which allows for research in growth, development and nutrition, and reproduction. The West Central Research & Outreach Center (WCROC) at Morris has long focused on conventional and organic agriculture, water quality, corn and soybean in addition to fruit and vegetable production, and renewable energy. WCROC is home to an organic dairy herd and countless swine behavior and housing studies. Dr. Yuzhi Li, member of the UM Department of Animal Science’s swine faculty, focuses on swine behavior and welfare, and

By Diane DeWitte, University of Minnesota Extension Swine Educator Originally printed in The LAND – as June 25/July 2, 2021 Swine & U column America’s swine health study census that has taken place in agriculture since 1983 has a tremendous impact on perspectives of livestock health in the United States. Conducted by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) this study takes an in-depth look at livestock operations, their management and their health. USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) oversees the National Animal Health Monitoring System (NAHMS). NAHMS works with the National Ag Statistics Service (NASS) to collect the data and evaluate it. NATIONAL ANIMAL HEALTH MONITORING SYSTEM (NAHMS) NAHMS was formed to collect, analyze, and disseminate data on animal health, management and productivity across the United States. The NAHMS team conducts national studies on the health and health management of US livestock populations. US livestock commodity

The Improving Pig Survivability team is seeking feedback from industry personnel to help complete a  survey centered around survivability. This short survey is a part of The Improving Pig Survivability project put on in collaboration with Iowa State, Kansas State and Purdue Universities and is designed to generate information about the motivations and barriers to prioritizing improving pig survivability and reducing pig mortality on farms within the United States. This survey is directed towards anyone who works directly with pigs. This may include pig caretakers, contract growers, barn/farm managers, production managers, veterinarians and upper management positions. The results of the survey will help understand what pig farmers perceive as the most important causes of mortality and the barriers to implementing strategies that result in improved pig survivability. You can find more information about the project at www.piglivability.org . Participants will be kept confidential at a