By Scout Nelson
Join the 2024 South Dakota Swine Summit, a premier event for youth aged 12-21 interested in the swine industry. This engaging summit is scheduled for June 13, 2024, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., hosted on the South Dakota State University campus in Brookings.
The event is free, but registration is required due to limited space. To register, participants can visit extension.sdstate.edu and search “summit”.
This educational gathering is sponsored by the South Dakota Pork Producers Council and offers attendees a comprehensive look into swine care and management.
The day is packed with valuable activities, including tours of the SDSU Swine Education and Research Facility and the SDSU Offsite Research Facility.
Participants will also enjoy lunch with seasoned pork producers and engage in interactive sessions on biosecurity, nutrition, showmanship, daily care, and carcass evaluation.
Christina Bakker, assistant professor and SDSU Extension Meat Science Specialist, emphasized the hands-on and interactive nature of the summit. Attendees will benefit from live demonstrations on animal handling, evaluation, and the detailed process of how a pork carcass is cut and packaged for sale.
"I am looking forward to engaging with the youth in experiences they may have never had before," said Bakker.
The event is coordinated by a team of experts including Ryan Samuel, assistant professor and SDSU Extension Swine Specialist, and Bob Thaler, distinguished professor and SDSU Extension Swine Specialist.
It offers young attendees a unique glimpse into the agricultural opportunities within the swine industry. Bakker, reflecting on her own career sparked by similar youth events, noted, "I am excited to be part of a program that may help shape the future careers of our attendees."
Don’t miss this chance to dive into the world of swine production and consider a future in this crucial agricultural field.
Photo Credit -south-dakota-state-university
Categories: South Dakota, Education, Livestock, Hogs