Minnesota's Swine & U

In this podcast, Swine Extension Educator Sarah Schieck Boelke once again speaks with Lyle Lange and Mike Walker of Lange Ag Systems in Willmar, MN. This time she speaks to Lyle and Mike about Fall/Winter 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 Fall and then Winter, 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 soffits and fans, checking belts, and calibrating inlets. Lyle and Mike also discuss how to ensure the heating system is ready when needed.Recorded August 10, 2026.

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.

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 podcastMinnesota Paid Leave websiteUMN Extension Managing a farm webpageUMN Extension Agriculture Business Management YouTube - MN Paid Leave playlistRob Holcomb's contact information: [email protected]; 507-258-8754This podcast was recorded on June 15, 2026

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.

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 podcastAbstract published in Journal of Animal Science, Volume 104, Issue Supplement 3. doi: 10.1093/jas/skag107.050.