Minnesota's Swine & U

UMN Swine Extension

University of Minnesota Extension Swine team gives research updates through podcasts.

  1. Jul 28

    Episode 51: Trailer contamination at harvest facilities

    In this podcast, Swine Extension Educator Sarah Schieck Boelke speaks with Lucas Ferreira, Master’s student in Veterinary Science in the Department of Veterinary Population Medicine, about his research on trailer contamination at the harvest plant facilities during the unloading of market hogs. The study includes two harvest facilities that Lucas and others visit regularly throughout the year to collect environmental samples from the unloading dock and trailers to analyze for pathogens, such as PRRSv, PEDv, PDCoV, and SVA. The research also includes talking to the drivers about their biosecurity practices. In the podcast, Lucas gives preliminary results and explains the research is ongoing. Year 1 of 2 has been completed. Learn more about trailer contamination at the harvest plant facilities during unloading of market hogs as featured in the podcast. Assessment of PEDV Trailer Contamination at the Harvest Facility blog post on Minnesota Swine News.SHIC-Funded study quantifies trailer contamination risk at harvest plants posted in Swine Health and Information Center website.

  2. Jul 22

    Episode 50 – Minnesota Paid Leave for agriculture

    In this podcast, Swine Extension Educator Sarah Schieck Boelke speaks with Rob Holcomb, UMN Extension agricultural business management educator, about Minnesota Paid Leave for agriculture. Rob explains what agriculture employers need to participate, how to set up an account, and employer reporting responsibilities. He also shares resources for more information. Resources mentioned in the podcast Minnesota Paid Leave websiteUMN Extension Managing a farm webpageUMN Extension Agriculture Business Management YouTube - MN Paid Leave playlistRob Holcomb's contact information: holcombr@umn.edu; 507-258-8754This podcast was recorded on June 15, 2026

  3. Jun 15

    Episode 49 – Summer ventilation basics for swine barns

    In this podcast, Swine Extension Educator Sarah Schieck Boelke speaks with Lyle Lange and Mike Walker, both of Lange Ag Systems of Willmar, MN, about summer ventilation basics for swine barns. Lyle has over 46 years of experience in the livestock industry, and Mike has 26 years of experience. With the change of season to Summer, there are some fundamental things producers should evaluate in the swine barn to ensure ventilation is at optimal performance. Lyle and Mike define basic ventilation terminology and provide practical strategies for common ventilation issues, such as cleaning fans, checking belts, calibrating inlets, and more.

  4. May 18

    Episode 48: Precision and accuracy of the doser in electronic sow feeders

    In the podcast, Swine Extension Educator Sarah Schieck Boelke speaks with Samuel Berrio, who is a current graduate student in the University of Minnesota's Department of Animal Science studying Animal Science with an emphasis in Swine Nutrition. Samuel’s research involved evaluating the precision and accuracy of the doser in electronic sow feeders. Learn more about research featured in the podcast Abstract published in Journal of Animal Science, Volume 104, Issue Supplement 3. doi: 10.1093/jas/skag107.050.

  5. 09/15/2025

    Episode 47: Formaldehyde-based feed sanitizers in sow feed

    In the podcast, Swine Extension Educator Sarah Schieck Boelke speaks with Sara Williams, who recently completed her master's of science degree in Animal Science with an emphasis in Swine Nutrition from the University of Minnesota's Department of Animal Science. Sara’s MS research involved formaldehyde-based feed sanitizers in sow feed to reduce pathogens. Her research gives some promising results on this topic. Learn more about formaldehyde-based feed sanitizers in sow feed featured in the podcast Abstract published in Journal of Animal Science, Volume 103, Issue Supplement 1. doi: 10.1093/jas/skaf102.313.

  6. 07/08/2025

    Episode 46: PRRS virus Classification

    In the podcast, Swine Extension Educator Sarah Schieck Boelke speaks with Drs. Kim VanderWaal and Igor Paploski about PRRS virus Classification. Both are faculty members in the University of Minnesota Veterinary Population Medicine department. PRRS virus Classification is basically naming of the PRRS virus according to the genetic sequencing of the virus. Kim and Igor explain how PRRS viruses were classified previously and changes to how they are being classified based on their work. Learn more about PRRS virus classification featured in the podcast Swine Health Information Center fact sheet on the epidemiological insights on the PRRS-Loom Variant webtoolLink to PRRS-Loom Variant webtoolJournal article published in Epidemiology, Volume 10, Issue 2. doi: 10.1128/msphere.00709-24

  7. 05/09/2025

    Episode 45: Discussion about H5 Influenza

    In the podcast, Swine Extension Educator Sarah Schieck Boelke speaks with Dr. Marie Culhane about H5 Influenza. Especially as it relates to cases in poultry and dairy, and the risk of it for pigs. Dr. Culhane is a professor in the College of Veterinary Medicine’s Department of Veterinary Population Medicine. Her expertise is Influenza as it relates to food animals. Learn more about H5 Influenza featured in the podcast This podcast was based on a Swine in Minnesota blog post, "H5 Influenza Q & A with Drs. Marie Culhane and Carol Cardona"Journal article talks about how susceptible pigs are to influenza.Journal article explains how pigs are a mixing vessel for influenza viruses.Minnesota Board of Animal Health H5N1 in Livestock ResourcesMinnesota Board of Animal Health HPAI hotline and responseIndividuals can contact local DNR wildlife staff or the DNR information center at 888-646-6367 to report sick or dead birds.This podcast was recorded on April 22, 2025

  8. 03/06/2025

    Episode 44: Surveillance of African and Classical Swine Fevers in the U.S.

    In the podcast, Swine Extension Educator Sarah Schieck Boelke speaks with Rachel Schambow who is a researcher with the UMN Center for Animal Health and Food Safety at the College of Veterinary Medicine. Rachel speaks about the analysis her and her colleagues did of USDA’s Sick Pig Surveillance component at Iowa State University and the University of Minnesota Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratories. She also talks about USDA’s Sick Pig Surveillance program in general and how producers and veterinarians can support surveillance for African Swine Fever and Classical Swine Fever. University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine Center for Animal Health and Food Safety have created informational sheets about the sick pig Veterinary Diagnostic Lab’s (VDL) surveillance program to help producers and veterinarians understand what it is and how they can participate. There are two versions of the informational sheets - one is aimed towards the intensive commercial swine industry, while the other is aimed more at non-swine veterinarians and general audiences.

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About

University of Minnesota Extension Swine team gives research updates through podcasts.

Information

  • Creator
    UMN Swine Extension
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    51
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Regents of the University of Minnesota
  • Show Website
    Minnesota's Swine & U