Swine Extension

The University of Minnesota is conducting a research study to understand pig health and training needs of small-scale, niche, organic, beginning, and related farmers that raise pigs in Minnesota. The survey is voluntary, anonymous, and takes 20 minutes. If you complete the survey, you can enter for a chance to win a $50 Amazon gift card. Your response will help shape training and outreach. Thank you! Take the survey at: z.umn.edu/pigsurvey

Congratulations to the following swine faculty and educators from the swine Extension team who have had their work published recently. Kerr, B. J., Hung, Y. T., Chen, C., & Shurson, G. C. (2026). Aldehydes are key for assessing dietary lipid oxidation and subsequent effects on pig growth performance. Journal of Animal Science , 104, Article skaf407. Doi: 10.1093/jas/skaf407. Meneguzzi, M., Bravo, J., Gaire, T. N., Ferm, P. M., Torremorell, M. , Boucher, C. & Noyes, N. (2025). Enriched Long-Read Sequencing of Co-circulating Viruses in Complex Samples . Molecular Biology and Evolution , 42(11), Article msaf261, doi: 10.1093/molbev/msaf261. Springer, N. P., Urriola, P. E. , Peloton, R. E. O., Dhar, A. R. Schmitt, J., & Shurson, G. C. (2026). Explaining global variation in life-cycle greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from soybeans and soybean meal: a systematic review. Agricultural Systems , 233, article 104559. Doi: 10.1016/j.agsy.2025.104559. Zhang, J. W., Yao, D., Shurson, ...

Farming can be a stressful occupation. Farmers need to take care of themselves and their families. Minnesota has numerous resources to help 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 Free, confidential, 24/7. If you or someone you know is struggling with stress, anxiety, or depression, reach out to the Minnesota Farm and Rural helpline. Trained counselors answer calls, and sometimes it’s easier to talk to someone you don’t know. And if you are experiencing business, financial, or legal problems, they can connect you to that kind of help. Minnesota Agricultural Mental Health Specialists Minnesota also has three Rural Mental Health Counselors who work with farmers throughout Minnesota. No cost and no paperwork! Monica McConkey: 218-280-7785; monicamariekm@yahoo.com Jennifer Vaughn: 218-820-6626; jennifervaughn...

February 2026 Feb. 4: SowBridge program -  “The role of specialized people in reducing sow mortality” by Carlos Roudergue of Country View Family Farms Feb. 6 - Labor strategies for farm sustainability , Zoom Feb. 10-11: MN Pork Congress , Mankato, MN Feb. 20-21: Multi-generational farm transition retreat , Mankato, MN March 2026 March 4: SowBridge program -  “New WorldScrewworm - what to look for?” by Sonja Swiger and Phillip Kaufman of Texas A & M University March 13-14: Multi-generational farm transition retreat , St. Cloud, MN March 25: Farm transition and estate planning , Mabel, MN April April 1: SowBridge program - “Managing large litters” by Abigail Jenkins of Tosh Farms May May 6: SowBridge program - “When to process piglets in relation to survival?” by Chris Puls of United Animal Health