In the vast majority of pig farms, breeding boars are nowhere to be found. So how can sows be pregnant with no board around? The majority of sows in the U.S. are bred using a technique called Artificial Insemination, OR AI. AI is not new and was first used in swine in the 1930’s. Boar studs (boar farms) are used…
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Confused about GMOs? There is no question GMOs (Soy, corn, cotton, canola, sugar beets, alfalfa, papaya, squash, apples, potatoes) are front and center in many food conversations and news sources. I have put a quick list of some GMO facts that you may not know: 1) GMOs are not foods. GMOs (genetically modified organism) are a breeding technology. Sometimes when I…
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Duluth is on Lake Superior in northern Minnesota and is one of my favorite places to visit! It’s a place I can let myself forget just about everything. It is a peaceful and relaxing place to escape from the busyness of life. So let’s look at why Duluth is worth visiting. A little history: viking heritage When traveling on I35 N…
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On-farm events are a great way to connect the agricultural community with consumers. For many consumers, this may be their only exposure to agriculture. These events are fun, educational, and a great way to network and make connections for years to come. Depending on your vision, planning an on-farm event takes many volunteers. Form a committee with a variety of…
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As we are in the midst of harvesting, I thought I would write a few, fun random thoughts about harvest. Some things about harvest most non-ag people don’t know. 1. Lunches are eaten in the field. Thank goodness for AutoSteer in tractors and combines. Autosteer is a mechanism that automatically steers the combine/tractor. I can literally eat, with both hands,…
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What is Proposition 12? Proposition 12 is a ballot initiative the citizens of California voted for. The proposition talks about new space requirements for livestock, including pigs. Currently, only 5% of farms would meet the new requirements. The pork industry along with American Farm Bureau has asked the Supreme Court to review the legality of this proposition. As of right…
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Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has a wishy-washy and often contradictory history with his stance on ethanol and biodiesel fuels in his state. It seems as though whether he is supportive of the industry or not depends on his audience, or perhaps the day of the week. You might think that being part of the Governor’s Biofuels Coalition would mean you…
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Why Do we need to advocate? I don’t think it will surprise anyone but we in agriculture have a challenge. We ALL need to learn how to be an Advocate for Agriculture. With less than 2% of us who farm, there are 98% that do not have a connection to where their food comes from. That’s a big deal and…
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When you drive by a hog barn, do you every wonder where does the manure go? Some of you may think it is a waste product, but you may be surprised just how valuable manure truly is. Pigs on Slats Where does all the manure go? Modern pig barns allow pigs to stand on cement slats. Slats are made of…
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Sometimes I wish I could rewrite some of life’s journeys. Seeing people you love in pain is one of the hardest things to endure. But, then, unexpectedly you find a silver lining in some of those journeys. My silver lining comes out of a couple of Diet Dr. Peppers and a road trip. A little background first: My Mom…
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So how are pigs raised? Here is an overview of how our pigs are raised. Granted, there are many ways to raise pigs and as long as the health and care of the animal is the highest priority, there is no wrong way. Each farmer raises pigs based on their resources, knowledge and access to expertise. Pigs Raised Indoors We…
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