By Diane DeWitte, UMN Extension swine educator
Originally printed in The LAND - as March 14, 2025 Swine & U column
Much of UMN Extension’s swine work involves disease preparedness. Not only are foreign animal diseases (FAD) a threat, but the...
Minnesota is typically considered an outdoor recreation, hunting-and-fishing state, the motherland to six outstanding professional sports teams, and home of the Mall of America. However, nestled within Minnesota’s rural communities are nearly 9 million hogs and hundreds of well-trained...
Wow, it's been crazy busy lately. We just wrapped up planting—but not without a few hiccups. Unfortunately, we had to replant some corn acres after a deluge of rain a while back. I even had to bring out the...
🌽 Planting Season Update
The weather lately has been picture-perfect—sunny skies, mid-70s temperatures, and, best of all, minimal wind (a rare treat here in Minnesota!). Last week I tried attending my granddaughter’s track meet, but with gusty winds and 50-degree...
Farm Updates: Balancing Planting and Pig CareSpring is on the horizon—you can feel it in the air! While some farmers are already preparing their fields, those of us with livestock face a different kind of busy. Between taking care...
As a pig farmer, I talk to people about what I do. There are common questions I am asked frequently about pigs. I have compiled a list of my top 12 frequently asked questions about pigs.
1. How many pigs...
Preparing for the Storm
Winter in Minnesota has been mild so far, with just over five inches of snow—but that’s about to change. A major blizzard is on the way, and we’re expecting upwards of eight inches of snow. As...
I enjoy reminiscing about times past. I think about how we started farming and those that were instrumental to our success. One of those people was Dr. Dan Skow. We took out our first loan by purchasing a building...
The ongoing debate surrounding California’s Proposition 12 continues to raise serious concerns for pig farmers across the country. While its intentions may appear to promote animal welfare, the reality of its impact on producers tells a very different story.
As...
As I watched the presidential inauguration this morning, I couldn’t help but wonder what changes we might see on the farm—if any. Most farmers, myself included, are concerned about the possibility of new tariffs. We just don’t know what...