Swine

All Swine Content

Two young pigs inside a pork production facility.

Creating a Secure Pork Supply Plan

African Swine Fever and preparing for foreign animal disease outbreaks is at the forefront of people’s minds. Your state animal health officials offer guidance for participating in the Secure Pork Supply (SPS) Plan. Let’s take a closer look at the critical steps in developing a personalized SPS Plan for Continuity of Business.

A site assesment form with a pen sitting on top.

Get a Jump on Your PQA Internal Site Assessments

Spring is coming fast, so before planting gets underway take some time to conduct an internal site assessment as part of the PQA Plus Site Assessment criteria.

A black, plastic case containing a captive bolt stunner kit along with laminated instructions for properly using the tool for euthanasia.

Reviewing Humane Euthanasia Protocols

Unresolvable health problems and injuries occur in pigs in every swine operation and having a plan in place to humanely deal with these issues is critical. This includes having a written protocol for timely euthanasia.

A series of hog barns.

Preparing for a PQA Plus Site Assessment

The PQA Plus site assessment is an on-farm evaluation of a production site by a qualified PQA Plus Advisor. A review of standard operating procedures and office records, including caretaker training, animal observations, and the facilities will occur during the site assessment.

Inside a swine barn.

Pig Barn Turnover Rates: Challenges & Costs

Employee turnover is inevitable, but how managers respond to it and learn from it determines the resiliency of a pig barn’s future and the level of productivity that is achieved.

A backup generator outside a swine facility.

Test Emergency Backup Systems in the New Year

Animal care starts with having confidence in facilities and ventilation systems that safeguard health in all weather conditions. Testing emergency backup equipment at the start of a new year is a good preventative practice.

A group pen in a swine facility with plenty of space.

How Much Room Does a Pig Need?

Let’s take a moment to consider one of the animal observations from the Pork Quality Assurance Plus (PQA Plus) Site Assessment and its impacts. Recommendations exist in facility planning books about the square footage for an animal at each phase of production.

Producer reviewing an aid application with a USDA FSA agent.

Livestock Loss Assistance Available

Has your operation experienced a sudden catastrophic loss of livestock due to weather? Financial assistance may be available through the USDA Livestock Indemnity Program.

Two hog barns among rolling green fields in the countryside.

What Is Green About Pig Farming in South Dakota?

From reducing energy waste to state-of-the-art facility designs, learn some of the many ways South Dakota hog producers are working together to reduce their impact on the environment.

A series of hog barns.

South Dakota pork producers have a chance to tell their story

March 14, 2023

South Dakota State University Extension is encouraging South Dakota hog farmers to join the Your Farm Sustainability Report, a Pork Checkoff-funded project.