Dive into swine- SDSU hosts youth summit on pork production

By Scout Nelson

The South Dakota State University (SDSU) campus is gearing up for the 2024 South Dakota Swine Summit, scheduled for June 13, 2024, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. This event, aimed at youth ages 12-21, is an excellent opportunity for participants to dive deep into the world of swine care and management.

The summit is free, but registration is required due to limited space. Interested attendees can register by visiting extension.sdstate.edu and searching for "summit". This one-day event is sponsored by the South Dakota Pork Producers Council and includes various educational and interactive sessions.

Participants will have a unique chance to tour the SDSU Swine Education and Research Facility and the SDSU Offsite Research Facility. The day includes lunch with pork producers and several educational sessions covering key industry topics such as biosecurity, nutrition, showmanship, daily care, and carcass evaluation.

Christina Bakker, assistant professor and SDSU Extension Meat Science Specialist, highlights the event's hands-on approach. "Sessions will be hands-on and interactive, with live demonstrations on animal handling, evaluation and how a pork carcass is cut and packaged for sale," Bakker said. She added, "It is always fun to watch how excited they get when they try something new."

The summit is coordinated by Bakker, along with Ryan Samuel and Bob Thaler, both of whom are distinguished professors and SDSU Extension Swine Specialists. Events like this play a crucial role in introducing youth to the agricultural sector and helping them see the potential career paths within the industry.

“I attribute my career to youth events like this that exposed me to the meat side of animal agriculture, and I am excited to be part of a program that may help shape the future careers of our attendees,” Bakker expressed enthusiastically.

This summit not only educates young individuals about swine production but also connects them with industry professionals, paving the way for future opportunities in agriculture.

Photo Credit -south-dakota-state-university