German Student Gains Global Swine Experience Through SDSU

By Scout Nelson

Chelsea Cordsen, a sustainable agriculture student at Kiel University of Applied Sciences in Germany, recently completed a 16-week international internship that provided experience with swine production systems in Germany, Switzerland, and the United States. Growing up on her family's row crop and swine farm helped spark her interest in agriculture and animal production.

The internship began in Germany with Schweine Spezial Beratung Schleswig-Holstein, a swine consulting company. During her time there, Cordsen participated in farm visits and gained experience with animal welfare assessments and production management practices.

She then spent three weeks on a swine farm in Switzerland, where she observed practices such as free farrowing and group nursing. The experience exposed her to production systems that differed from those commonly used on farms she was familiar with.

The final portion of her internship took place at South Dakota State University (SDSU). There, she explored U.S. swine production systems, research facilities, and management practices while gaining hands-on experience in animal care and breeding activities.

Cordsen also worked at the SDSU Feed Processing Research Unit, where she learned about feed manufacturing and helped prepare diets for research projects. Her internship concluded with additional experience at Odegaard Family Farms near Lake Preston, South Dakota.

Comparing production systems across countries helped her better understand differences in feed management and swine production practices. The experience provided valuable insight into how farms in different regions approach efficiency, nutrition, and livestock management.

The internship also strengthened a family connection to SDSU. Cordsen's mother and other relatives attended the university, and she had the opportunity to learn from Dr. Bob Thaler, the same SDSU swine specialist who taught her mother nearly three decades ago.

As she completes her bachelor's degree, Cordsen plans to pursue a master's degree and continue building a career in the swine industry. She hopes to apply the knowledge gained through her international experiences to future opportunities in agriculture and livestock production.

Photo Credit: south-dakota-university-extension