Swine Extension

By Diane DeWitte, UMN Extension swine educator Written for submission to The LAND - as March 2, 2026 Swine & U column Last week, for a minute, it seemed like spring was here; then it rained, and the next morning we were shoveling a path to the barn. Never fear! March is around the corner, and with it an opportunity to get manure hauled out of the barns. Maybe your manure plan involves fall application, but as the soils thaw and the tiles begin to run, it’s a good idea to review a few environmental protection habits which will help keep nutrients where they belong. University of Minnesota Extension provides good resources for nutrient application calculation and groundwater and shoreland protection at its manure management website . Extension manure management specialist, Melissa Wilson, and manure management crops educator Chryseis Modderman provide the latest best management practices for manure application in our Land of Ten Thousand Lakes and Nine Million Pigs. APPLICATION TIM...

By Diane DeWitte, UMN Extension swine educator Written for submission to The LAND - as January 30, 2026 Swine & U column UMN Extension has a key role in the certification of pig transporters, specifically the folks who haul pigs from farm to farm, and those who deliver market hogs to regional harvest facilities. Pork Checkoff’s transport curriculum, Transport Quality Assurance (TQA), includes current handling and transportation content in a course for truck drivers. Drivers complete the course and must pass an exam to become or remain certified in TQA for three years. As part of a national process to ensure safe handling and transport, during a Pork Quality Assurance Plus (PQA+) on farm site assessment, the TQA certification of every trucker for that farm is audited. Evidence of TQA certification is also required of every driver who hauls to a harvest plant. Stressed livestock are more likely to injure themselves, their handlers and are more difficult to work with. Providing s...

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...

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 17: PQA+ & TQA certification, Mankato, MN March 24: PQA+ Advisor training, Mankato, 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 May 27: SowBridge program - “Gilt feeding strategies to enhance longevity & productivity” by Tyler Niblett of Texas Tech University June June: 3-4 - World Pork Expo , Des Moines, IA July July 1: SowBridge program - “Water quality, biofilms, and water line management” by Gabi Doughan of Iowa State University