Swine Extension

Reprinted as posted on Swine in Minnesota blog June 25, 2024 Podcasts are a perfect way to get caught up with new swine information! A recent episode of “At The Meeting” featured special guests Dr. Eduardo Fano, Dr. Amanda Sponheim, and Dr. Maria Pieters to chat about exploring the Mycoplasma hypneumoniae Eradication Roadmap, a critical initiative for eliminating M. hyopneumoniae in swine. The group discussed this roadmap’s collaborative efforts, research and practical applications, offering valuable insights for producers and veterinarians. Listen to the podcast and learn more about the Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae Eradication Roadmap.

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 talki...

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

By Diane DeWitte, UMN Extension swine educator Originally printed in The LAND - as May 10, 2024, Swine & U column Photo Source:  Diane DeWitte, Organic Swine & Rye project Organically raised sows with litters at WCROC. As part of the University of Minnesota’s Agriculture Experiment Station network, 10 Research & Outreach Centers (ROCs) are strategically located across the state. The ROC network hosts scientists studying water quality, forest conservation, sustainable cropping systems, renewable energy, and livestock production. The Southern Research and Outreach Center (SROC) at Waseca is home to the University’s 600-sow swine herd; sows are bred, farrow, and piglets weaned using the common industry production style. Breeding, nutrition, sow behavior, and market hog nutrition trials take place at SROC. The West Central Research & Outreach Center (WCROC) at Morris is the site where alternative, niche, and organic production styles are investigated. In addition to...

By Diane DeWitte, UMN Extension swine educator Originally printed in The LAND - as July 5, 2024, Swine & U column Photo Source:  Diane DeWitte, Organic Swine & Rye project Recently, on a rain-threatened day in late May, organic farmers, University researchers and personnel from the UMN West Central Research and Outreach Center (WCROC) gathered to hear the latest results of an ongoing Organic Swine & Hybrid Rye project. The field day began after a pulled-pork lunch with an hour of presentations reviewing the research and its findings thus far. Folks in attendance had the chance to ask questions of the presenters; however, in a “first” for the researchers, the gathering appeared as a Facebook Live event from the WCROC Facebook page. The project’s lead investigator Yuzhi Li provided an introduction of the previous organic projects which brought us to this day and explained that the UMNCROC hosts the only certified organic swine facility on a Land Grant University in the...

The Leman Swine Conference turns 50 in 2024! Plan to attend the Allen D. Leman Conference on Sept. 21 - 24. Details are posted on the conference website . Keynotes, breakouts and pre-conference sessions will cover a wide range of topics including disease control and elimination, biosecurity, mycoplasma, ventilation management, productivity and so much more! Registration is now open . Make sure to register by Aug. 16 to receive the early registration rate. The Leman Conference will be held at the Saint Paul RiverCentre. See Location and Accommodations for lodging information. The Leman Conference is presented by the College of Veterinary Medicine and University of Minnesota Extension.

As details become available, they will be posted on the conference website .  

Congratulations to the following swine faculty and educators from the swine Extension team who have had their work published recently. Carpenter, C. B., Urriola, P. E., Shurson, G. C. , Pieters, M., Johnston, L. J. , Schweer, W. and Rodrigues, L. (2024). Effects of dietary zinc supplementation strategy on immune response, bacterial load and disease severity in growing gilts infected with Mycoplasma Hyopneumoniae. Journal of Animal Science, 102(Suppl. 2), Abstract 197. Doi: 10.1093/jas/skae102.117. Hammers, K. L., Urriola, P. E. , Schwartz, M., Ryu, M. S., Gomez, A., Huma, N., & Johnston, L. J. (2024). Effect of timing of high dietary zinc supplementation on the microbiome of gestating sows and their piglets. Journal of Animal Science, 102(Suppl. 2), Abstract PSI-17. Doi: 10.1093/jas/skae102.314. Kavanagh, M., Lima, G., Hilbrand, A., Cox, R., Johnston, L. J. & Li, Y. Z. (2024). Effects of dietary hybrid rye on quality and consumer acceptability of pork from pigs raised under...

Farming can be a stressful occupation. It is important for farmers to take care of themselves and their families. Minnesota has numerous resources to help with those coping with farm and rural stress. Minnesota Farm and Rural Helpline Phone: 833-600-2670 for a 24/7 confidential and free chat with trained staff and volunteers Text: FARMSTRESS to 898211 Email: farmstress@state.mn.us Minnesota also has two Rural Mental Health Counselors who work with farmers throughout Minnesota. No cost and no paperwork! Ted Matthews: 320-266-2390 Monica McConkey: 218-280-7785 The University of Minnesota Extension’s farm and rural stress programs offer resources for those dealing with farming’s current challenges and struggles.

In the podcast, Swine Extension Educator Sarah Schieck Boelke speaks with Rachel Schambow who is a postdoctoral researcher with the UMN Center for Animal Health and Food Safety. Rachel speaks about a “Vet to Vet” project presented at the 2023 Leman Conference and about recent work on African Swine Fever (ASF) in the Dominican Republic and Philippines. She shares how these experiences and lessons learned can be applied to improve our ASF preparedness in the U.S. Listen to the podcast: https://z.umn.edu/PodcastEpisode41 (recorded June 11, 2024) Learn more about research featured in the podcast Vet to Vet (V2V) African Swine Fever Workshop report featured on UMN Extension Swine Blog . Center for Animal Health and Food Safety (CAHFS) - www.cahfs.umn.edu