Swine Extension

By Diane DeWitte, UMN Extension swine educator Originally printed in The LAND - as December 9, 2024 Swine & U column Following the discovery of the H5N1 influenza virus in dairy cattle in March, the University of Minnesota Extension, working with virus specialists from the College of Veterinary Medicine, put together a small H5 virus working group to monitor the spread of the virus, share research and report developments from barns across the country. This small Extension group included folks who work both with poultry and livestock. When the group got together, the virus had been found in poultry and dairy cattle. Swine folks were included because of the prevalence of influenza in pig populations. Recently the H5N1 virus infected a pig on a “lifestyle” farm in Oregon. (Lifestyle is a term which encompasses backyard, niche, and hobby-type farms.) In the Oregon case, the pigs and poultry shared living space and feeders and were kept not far from the farm’s duck pond. Five pigs l...

By Catherine Dehdashti, UMN Extension Communications Manager Originally published in the University of Minnesota’s Extension’s Source Magazine Fall 2024 Since this article was published, the first case of H5N1 influenza has been reported in a non-commercial pig in Oregon . Like Minnesota, the state of Texas is strong in livestock. But Minnesota, including University of Minnesota Extension’s livestock team, has long led in research and education on preventing the spread of disease among farms, especially since the 2015 outbreak of H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza and the 2024 spread of avian influenza into dairy cows. Zong Liu, Extension engineer at Texas A&M Agrilife, Extension Service and Agrilife Research, recognized Minnesota’s expertise. “Minnesota has dairy, but you also have a lot of poultry, and with the influenza outbreaks, you were very well prepared,” says Liu. “A collaboration between Minnesota and Texas, states from totally different regions big in livestock, can...

By Catherine Dehdashti, UMN Extension Communications Manager Originally published in the University of Minnesota’s Extension’s Source Magazine Fall 2024 Research with organic swine systems began at the University of Minnesota West Central Research and Outreach Center in 2017. “We began asking why people get into organic swine, and also why they don’t,” says Lee Johnston, Extension swine specialist, who is based there in Morris. The big question Is it worth it? What to affordably feed pigs in an organic system is a major factor. Winter hybrid rye is being grown in Minnesota as an alternative to traditional winter rye varieties. A broad research project is underway evaluating organic winter hybrid rye for swine production, involving goals for pig nutrition, meat quality, agronomics and economics. Read the full article on UMN Extension’s website.

A message from MN Department of Agriculture (MDA) Recognizing the risks posed by extreme weather, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is offering a grant opportunity to help eligible producers make their operations more resilient to drought, flooding and severe weather events like storms, tornadoes and straight-line winds. The Preparing for Extreme Weather Grant, also referred to as the Prepare Grant, offers grants of up to $10,000 for Minnesota livestock and specialty crop producers to buy and install supplies and equipment for weather event preparation. It requires a 50% match. “Minnesota agriculture needs to prepare for more climate extremes in the future,” said MDA Commissioner Thom Petersen. “This will help farmers and ranchers increase the resiliency of their operations and reduce some of the stress and anxiety around the weather.” For the purposes of this grant program: Livestock includes aquaculture, bees, beef cattle, dairy cattle, swine, poultry, goats, mules, farme...

Registration is now open for the 2025 Extension Women in Ag Network Conference! Date: Tuesday, February 11, 2025, with NEW optional pre-session the day prior on Monday, February 10. Location: The Park Event Center, Waite Park, MN Register through January 27 for the early-bird registration rate of $85 for adults or $55 for students. To learn more and register visit the Women in Ag Network event page on the University of Minnesota’s Extension website.

A few in-person Pork Quality Assurance Plus (PQA+) and Transport Quality Assurance (TQA) certification sessions are scheduled for this year. The sessions in 2024 include the following dates and locations: Dec. 17 - Preston, MN - Fillmore County Office Building, 902 Houston St. NW PQA+ certification is scheduled from 9 a.m. to noon and TQA from 1 to 4 p.m. at all locations unless noted otherwise. Pre-registration is required by contacting Colleen at Minnesota Pork Board at colleen@mnpork.com or by calling 507-345-8814. If you need to renew your PQA+ or TQA certification and a date listed above does not accommodate your schedule, or if your farm has a large group of employees needing certification, please contact Colleen Carey at the Minnesota Pork Board office at 507-345-8814 or colleen@mnpork.com to schedule an alternative time for training. Classes are provided by the University of Minnesota Extension and Minnesota Pork Board PQA+ and TQA certification can be completed online in a ...

Hammers, K., L., Urriola, P. E. , Schwartz, M., Ryu, M. S., Gomez, A., & Johnston, L. J. (2024). Timing of dietary zinc additions during gestation for improved piglet survival. Translational Animal Science, 8(Article txae030). Doi: 10.1093/tas/txae030. Li, C., Culhane, M. , Schroeder, D. C., Cheeran, M. C. J., Pantoja, L. G., Jansen, M. L., Torremorell, M. (2024). Quantifying the impact of vaccination on transmission and diversity of influenza A variants in pigs. Journal of Virology, 10.1128/jvi.01245-24. Li, Y.Z. , Kavanagh, M., Lima, G., Hilbrands, A., Lazarus, W., DeWitte, D. & Johnston, L. J. (2004). Integrating hybrid rye into organic pig production to reduce feed and bedding costs. Journal of Animal Science, 102(Suppl 3), Abstract PSVII-29. Doi: 10.1093/jas/skae234.914. Melini, C. M.m Kikuti, M., Bruner, L., Allerson, M., O-Brien, K., Stahl, C., Roggow, B., Yeske, P., Leuwerke, B., Schwartz, M., Torremorell, M & Corzo, C. A. (2024). Assessment of porcine reprod...

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.

December Dec. 4: SowBridge program - “Managing nurse sows”Dec. 17: PQA+ & TQA certification, Preston, MN Dec. 17: PQA+ & TQA certification, Preston, MN January 2025 Jan. 8: SowBridge program - “Sow shoulder wounds: causes & treatment” February 2025 Feb. 5: SowBridge program - “H5N1 as it relates to pigs” Feb. 11: Women in Ag Network Conference , Waite Park, MN Feb. 11 - 12: Minnesota Pork Congress , Mankato, MN March 2025 March 5: SowBridge program - “Feeding frequency pre-farrowing: impact on farrowing duration” April 2025 April 2: SowBridge program - “Your farm broke with PRRS/PED: now what, what are the vets doing?”

  In the podcast, Extension Swine Educator Sarah Schieck Boelke speaks with Courtney Archer who is a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Animal Science. Courtney speaks about a research project that she completed looking at trying to identify the tail biter pig in a pen of pigs with intact tails. She shares how her findings can help identify pigs responsible for tail biting behavior at an early stage so farmers can implement timely interventions to mitigate the issues and improve overall well-being. Listen to the podcast https://z.umn.edu/Episode42Podcast  (~20 minutes in length; recorded October 24, 2024) Learn more about research featured in the podcast Abstract published in the   Journal of Animal Science , Volume 102, Issue Supplement 2, Abstract 209. DOI: 10.1093/jas/skae102.005. This podcast was recorded on October 24, 2024.