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Content by Ryan Samuel

Young pigs snuggling in a pen.

Love is in the air, but don’t kiss your pigs!

While Valentine’s Day is celebrated during the month of February, physical affection should be reserved for human companions and not your pigs! Learn some important safety considerations to help prevent zoonotic diseases when handling swine.

Young pigs snuggling in a pen.

South Dakota Master Pork Producer winners announced

February 24, 2023

The 2022 South Dakota Master Pork Producer winners were announced Jan. 11 during the 54th annual South Dakota Pork Congress in Sioux Falls.

Swine drinking from a waterer in a finishing facility.

Water Usage Increased by Dietary Phytase Inclusion in Growing and Finishing Swine

Total water usage is an important consideration in sustainable pork production. Recent research at the SDSU investigated water usage of growing and finishing pigs fed diets without or with phytase included in the diet.

Young nursery piglets.

Register now for 2023-2024 SowBridge Educational Series

January 17, 2023

Registration is now open for SowBridge, a series for those who work with sows, boars and piglets, and in swine genetic and reproductive areas.

Pig being shown at county fair

SDSU Extension hosts swine transporter, producer training during 2023 Pork Congress

January 09, 2023

South Dakota State University Extension will help swine producers, transporters and handlers update their Pork Quality Assurance (PQA) Plus and Transportation Quality Assurance (TQA) training at the South Dakota Pork Producers Congress in Sioux Falls on Jan. 11, 2023.

South Dakota State University Swine Education and Research Facility exterior.

SDSU Extension to Host Swine Day Event

October 24, 2022

SDSU Extension will host a Swine Day event to celebrate the sixth anniversary of the SDSU Swine Education and Research Facility. The event will be held at McCrory Gardens on Tuesday, Nov. 1, starting at 9:00 a.m. CDT.

Young nursery piglets.

Nursery Pig Management

Piglet transitions from the farrowing room to the nursery or wean-to-finish barn are important foundational steps towards producing full-market value finisher pigs.

Cover of the PQA Plus Education Handbook, Version 5.0.

Introducing PQA Plus Version 5.0

Continuing the pork industry’s commitment to incorporate the latest scientific knowledge and production methods, PQA Plus Version 5.0 addresses food safety, animal well-being, environmental stewardship, worker safety, public health and community.

South Dakota State University Swine Education and Research Facility exterior.

Trace Mineral Inclusion Level Did Not Impact Grow-Finish Pig Performance

Recent research at SDSU found that supplementing dietary trace minerals at levels closer to NRC requirements in typical corn-soybean meal diets for grow-finish pigs did not have an impact on overall pig performance and carcass characteristics.

SDSU off-site wean-to-finish production barn.

Feed Additives Can Modulate the Swine Gut Microbiome in Weaned Pigs

Recent research at the SDSU Commercial Wean-to-Finish Research Facility found that a combination of feed additives provided benefits to the performance of weaned pigs and also modulated the swine gut microbiome.