Swine Extension

Recently the UMN MycoLab published a paper in the Veterinary Microbiology journal where they investigated how two different gilt flow managements during acclimation impact Mycoplasma detection. Highlights of the research included: Two strategies were evaluated for Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae gilt acclimation. M. hyopneumoniae detection and seroconversion were assessed in gilts over time. Similar M. hyopneumoniae seroconversion was similar regardless of gilt flow. Genetic variability of M. hyopneumoniae was not significant in gilts. The full publication is available on the journal’s website .

The excessive amount of ice and snow that has fallen this winter has livestock owners concerned about snow load and potential roof collapse. The design roof snow load for residential buildings in MN is set by state statutes and is 42 pounds per square foot (psf) in northern MN and 35 psf in southern MN. However, many agricultural buildings are built using a 20 psf snow load which would be expected to handle six feet of dry, fluffy snow or one foot of wet, heavy snow.

The Upper Midwest Agricultural Safety and Health Center (UMASH) has a new video for those working with pigs and protecting them from getting injured on the job. Farm Worker Sow Behavior Safety Tips video was created in collaboration with Diane DeWitte, UMN Extension swine educator, Colin Yoder, UMN Veterinary Public Health resident, and Hayford Manu, UMN researcher. The video incorporates expert and industry advice to address sow behavior and management techniques to handle the animals safely. The video is available in English and Spanish. Two additional videos can be used as training materials for new employees or as a refresher for existing workers. Those videos are Protecting People and Pigs from the Flu and Moving Sows: Be Safe and Smart. These two videos are also available in both English and Spanish. Watch these video resources.

The UMN Swine Disease Eradication Center has a new podcast called “Processing the Litter-ature”. A podcast where peer-reviewed papers are docked, clipped and supplemented with a field perspective. In the first episode, Dr. Carissa Odland and Dr. Peter Davies discuss their paper “Evaluation of the Impact of Antimicrobial Use Protocols in Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus - Infected Swine on Phenotypic Antimicrobial Resistance Patterns.” Listen to the podcast. In the second episode, Dr. Matt Sturos and Dr. Deb Murray discuss “Persistence and shedding of senecavairus A in naturally infected boars”. Listen to the podcast.

The University of Minnesota Extension is co-sponsoring a Swine Production Seminar along with Iowa State University, Hubbard and Elanco on March 29 at Arrowwood Resort Conference Center (1405 Hwy 71, Okoboji, IA). Market outlook, farm management, biosecurity vulnerability, and employee resources are the main topics of discussion. Swine Production Seminar Wednesday, March 29, 2023 Arrowwood Resort Conference Center 1405 Hwy 71 Okoboji, Iowa 51355 Hubbard Feeds would like to invite you to attend our 2023 Swine Production Seminar. Our speakers are excited to share information with you on the topics most critical to the industry and your business. We hope you’ll be able to attend and participate in the discussions and networking. Speakers and Topics 9:30 a.m. Registration and Welcome 10:00 a.m. Responding to market volatility & what to look for. . . Jon Greteman 11:00 a.m. Helping producers achieve their potential, who will do it best? Dusty Compart & Daryl Timme...

  In the podcast Swine Extension Educator Sarah Schieck Boelke speaks with Zach Uter, University of Minnesota graduate student about research he did looking at estimating the impact of swine feedlots on residential values in southern Minnesota. This research was completed through a collaboration agreement with Minnesota Pork. Listen to the podcast: z.umn.edu/PodcastEpisode33 (recorded February 17, 2023) Learn more through resources referenced in the podcast Minnesota Pork's Checkoff Report November/December 2022 publication, pages 8 - 9 .

By Diane DeWitte, UMN Extension Swine Educator Originally printed in The LAND - as January 6, 2023 Swine & U column This winter of 2022-2023 has already provided a wide array of thrills and chills! Keeping the driveways clear, the water flowing, the power & heat on, and the pigs safe and fed is a daily challenge during Minnesota’s winters. Our friends at the Upper Midwest Agricultural Safety & Health (UMASH) center offer this discussion about the dangers of cold weather outside work. WORKING OUTDOORS Cold temperatures pose serious threats to a person’s health, leading to frostbite, hypothermia, or trench foot, which occurs when the feet have been exposed to water for too long. Symptoms of hypothermia may include lack of coordination, confusion, slurring, drowsiness, or slowed breathing. Signs of frostbite and trench foot include skin that is numb, swollen, firm, blistered, red, or gray. UMASH SAFETY CHECKLIST Can you complete indoor tasks and leave outdoor tasks for a wa...

By Diane DeWitte, UMN Extension Swine Educator Originally printed in The LAND - as February 17, 2023 Swine & U column The University of Minnesota has Animal Science faculty that have successfully studied group sow housing, organic pigs and alternative swine production for several years. Readers here are familiar with Dr. Yuzhi Li’s work at UMN’s West Central Research & Outreach Center (WCROC) conducting university-based, peer-reviewed studies of organic pig farming. Dr. Li and Dr. Lee Johnston, both UMN Department of Animal Science faculty, have spent more than a decade developing projects which have measured how well pigs raised in non-traditional or alternative production systems grow, take care of their piglets, and survive. Dr. Li, Dr. Johnston, and a varied team of faculty from agronomy, economics, nutrient management and Extension are currently eighteen months into a complex study of organic hybrid rye grown for feed and bedding of organic pigs raised at WCROC. This ...

Congratulations to the following swine faculty and educators from the swine Extension team who have had their work published recently. Guo, Y., Wang, L., Hanson, A., Urriola, P. E., Shurson, G. C. , & Chen, C. (2022). Identification of Protective Amino Acid Metabolism Events in NUrsery PIgs Fed Thermally Oxidized Corn Oil. Metabolites, 13(1), 103. Doi: 10.3390/metabo13010103. Heidari, F., Overland, M., Hansen, J. O., Mydland, L. T., Urriolla, P. E., Chen, C., Shurson, G. C. , & Hu, B. (2022). Solid-state fermentation of Pleurotus ostreatus to improve the nutritional profile of mechanically-fractionated canola meal. Biochemical Engineering Journal, 187, 108591. Doi: 10.1016/j.bej.2022.108591. Hernandez, A. D., Li, Y. Z. , Carr, R., Major, S. (2023). Intestinal roundworm infection in organic and alternative swine farms in the USA. Veterinary Parasitology, 314, 109856. Doi: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2022.109856. Kikuti, M., Preis, G. M., Deen, J ., Pinilla, J. C., & Corzo, C. (2022)....