Livestock

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Learning in the field: A new video series for outdoor pasture pig producers

Published on May 20, 2025
Outdoor pasture pig video series for small and beginning swine farmers.
Winter Bale Grazing in Michigan and the Great Lakes Region

Published on May 13, 2025
This bulletin provides practical guidance for implementing bale grazing as a winter-feeding strategy for beef cattle in Michigan, including equipment needs, layout tips, animal health considerations and soil fertility benefits.
Educational podcasts for Michigan’s small-scale and independent swine producers

Published on May 12, 2025
Informative podcasts tailored to small-scale swine producers.
Models for raising pigs for pork highlighted in newest MSU Extension bulletin

Published on May 6, 2025
New resource available from MSU Extension’s DEMaND Series.
Insights into small swine producers: Survey results on health, management and sustainability

Published on April 25, 2025
An overview into the practices, challenges and needs of independent swine producers and independent swine herd veterinarians from a 2024 National Pork Board funded survey.
What breed of chicken should I get?

Published on April 1, 2025
Selecting the breed of chicken that you want to raise can be a difficult decision because there are so many options.
JBS Fed-Cattle Contract Comparison Tool

Published on March 12, 2025
The JBS Contract Comparison Tool has been updated to reflect new options and changes to JBS’s fed-cattle contracts.
JBS Contract Comparison Tool

Published on March 12, 2025
This spreadsheet is to be used to help assist with choosing between using the "New" or "Old" JBS Holstein contract and discovering how premiums and discounts can affect the profitability on a load of cattle.
How to Protect Your Operation

Learn how to identify and manage financial risks within your organization while reviewing robust cybersecurity measures to protect operations.
Join the Beef and Swine Livestock Insurance program to discuss developing protection strategies for your livestock farm

Published on November 7, 2024
A virtual program from MSU Extension aimed at helping you navigate insurance policies and their use.
Beef nutrition for beginning farmers

Published on November 1, 2024
Beef cattle can maintain body weight by digesting fibrous feeds and grow rapidly on high grain rations. Due to this versatility, beef cattle are fed a broad variety of rations to match animal performance goals with feed resources.
Optimizing heifer growth and reproductive management: Practical insights for Michigan dairy producers

Published on November 1, 2024
From breeding based on percent mature body weight, to using synchronization protocols to improve conception rates, and understanding and using data to your advantage, Paul Fricke shares what he’s learned to create a foundation for long-term herd success.
Storing manure on a small farm

Published on September 4, 2024
The capability to store manure reduces or eliminates the need to spread manure daily. Manure storage facilities allow small farms to store the manure until it can be removed and utilized later.
Managing heifer inventory: Ensuring the future of your operations

Published on May 30, 2024
Kelly Sporer from CentralStar Cooperative Inc. shared her insights on managing heifer inventory during a Heifer Academy webinar hosted by Dairy Educator Cora Okkema.
An Introduction to Grazing Management

Be introduced to the difference between conventional continuous grazing and managed grazing systems. Learn how to assess pasture conditions and soil health. Plus, see where small changes can make big impacts.
USDA offers farms with FSA loans an opportunity to ease repayment distress

Published on September 19, 2023
Cash Flow-Based Assistance can help reset the clock on loan payments.
Management Over Medication: Alternative swine farm management videos

Published on September 15, 2023
Useful videos from the MSU Extension Pork Team help alternative swine producers to be more effective with their herd health and management.
Swine Ventilation

his video describes the need to have proper ventilation and how to optimize it within your swine barn for all season.
Administering Deworming Products for Pigs

This video demonstrates how to administer deworming products to pigs and states the importance of deworming your pigs on your small farm.
Small Swine Farm Animal Well-being

This video underlines some practices of proper animal wellbeing for swine producers.