Progress 01/01/09 to 06/30/12
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Events - the project has participated in the presentation of three annual workshops focused on swine pre-wear survivability, swine reproductive performance, and swine feeding and nutrition. These programs included various aspects of the education material developed to include biosecurity, swine bedding and manure management, mortality management, and aspects of swine niche marketing. These programs reflect direct teaching events with the assistance of field experts in the given topic areas. Advisory board - elements of local FFA chapters have been contacted and agreed to implement aspects of the educational modules in their curriculum. Final impacts from the implementation of the curriculum will not be fully understood until completion of academic year 2013. At this time, an assessment of concepts learned and knowledge gained may be collected through survey and modular testing. Products - the grant has produced the planned ten alternative pork modules focusing on niche swine production in traditional high school FFA and community college undergraduate education programs. The titles of these modules include - Basic Niche Marketing - Swine Production Systems in Alternative Systems - Genetics and Meat Quality in Alternative Swine - Bedding, Manure, and Mortality Management in Alternative Swine - Nutrition Management in Alternative Swine - Biosecurity Considerations in Alternative Swine - Pre-wean Survivability - Pen-Mating Management in Alternative Swine - Hand-Mating Management in Alternative Swine - Herd Health Management in Alternative Swine Each module is presented in high-definition DVD format and includes a run-time CD with supportive materials to include instructional documents for use by those presenting the materials. This is designed to assist FFA and community college instructors in using the modules either in full or as components ready for integration into established curriculum. In total, the project team has collected 389 swine photos and 24.5 hours of high-definition video evidence of project activities. Dissemination - at current, modules are available for purchase either in total or part. Various modules components and full sets are being distributed to collaborative FFA advisors for implementation into existing and new curricula presented at the high school level. The project team is currently identifying community college collaborators that engage in alternative swine and niche swine production education for further testing distribution. PARTICIPANTS: Dr. Don Levis was an Extension Swine Specialist with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and was the project director of the grant responsible directing modular development and curriculum. Dr. Levis had retired from his position six months into the start of the grant and was re-contracted for module completion. Dr. Twig Marston has assumed the duties of the project director upon the retirement of Dr. Levis with no further duties. Richard Ness was an extension educator with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln responsible for daily management and curriculum development until his separation one year into the project. Tim Lemmons is an extension educator with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln with expertise in farm business management, applied business research, and video editing and production responsible for assembling the developed curriculum into video. Klint Stewart was a field representative for Niman Ranch Pork Division responsible for organizing producer meetings and assisting with collection of photos and video. Mr. Stewart separated from the grant after one year citing a change in residence. Wyatt Fraas was a representative of the Center for Rural Affairs and is a program assistant director responsible for coordinating producer meetings and assisting with the development of curriculum. By the end of the project, the only remaining original project member was Tim Lemmons. Mr. Lemmons was given the task of coordinating the grant for completion. Although requests to acquire additional collaborators and partners were made, all were denied by the USDA and the University of Nebraska. The project was completed with the staff still remaining. TARGET AUDIENCES: Video modules were developed for distribution in DVD and CD format to facilitate reaching a broad range of alternative pork producers that may otherwise not have access to formal training and education. Pork producer meetings were conducted focused on improving the production knowledge of small- and medium sized pork operations. Learning modules were developed for distribution to FFA advisors and community college animal science instructors complete with high-definition video and support documents. These materials are available to incorporate into existing and future courses relative to niche and alternative pork production systems. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
An objective of this project is to develop education and extension modules that may be used by a target audience to include high school junior and senior FFA students, community college students, and adult learners interested in participation in the alternative swine industry. The teaching modules developed include a survey instrument designed to measure immediate change in knowledge as a result of material/skill transfer. To date, no survey instruments have been returned. Module distribution will continue with the inclusion of a survey document to capture knowledge gain as it occurs and is reported. A record of those accessing the educational modules in part of full is kept with the intent to generate follow-up analysis at six months and 12 months post distribution. It is expected that a change in action by those accessing the learning modules will take some time to occur. The growth rate of the animal limits the speed at which production changes occur. Furthermore, seasonal activities of producers limit the potential change event to once or twice per year. It is expected that change in action from the learning modules will be realized two to four years after a concept is adopted. It is expected that change in action will occur first at the producer level through extension education. Change of action will take longer to document from those at the FFA and community college level. It is unknown how many of those exposed to the material will chose to pursue alternative swine production, and thus documentation of confirmed change will take much longer to address. Those that have reviewed the material have reported a positive change in behavior related to acceptance of alternative swine production methods and philosophy.
Publications
- Levis, D. (2011). Hand-Mating Pigs on Small- and Medium Sized Pork Operations (Design and Management Principles). University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension Circular EC287.
- Levis, D., Reese, D., and Ness, R. (2011). Pen-Mating Female Pigs: Problems and Possible Solutions. University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension Circular EC284.
- Levis, D. (2011). Biosecurity of Pigs and Farm Security. University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension Circular EC289.
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Progress 01/01/11 to 12/31/11
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Advisory Board - to ensure the development of a highly useful end product, the project was started with an 18 member advisory board to include members from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension Swine Specialists, Extension Educators, personnel from the Center of Applied Rural Innovation, active pork producers, instructors from the Northeast Community College, Center for Rural Affairs, Niman Ranch Pork Division, and North Central Region Sustainable Agricultural Research Education. Due to challenging economic conditions and downturns in the staffing of positions critical to this project, many of the organizations have been unable to maintain their active roles in the development of the modules. Thus, the Advisory Board has been reduced to include only those Extension Educators, active alternative pork producers, and the center for rural affairs. As the project has proceeded, those alternative pork producers identified as possible Advisory Board members have been unable or unwilling to continue as advisory members. Furthermore, the Center for Rural Affairs has been unable to provide participation as an advisory board member. To enhance the reach of the project, FFA instructors were contacted as possible review personnel for developing curriculum. The project team was advised that official adoption of the developed curriculum would require a state review of the final product. Local FFA members and instructors have been contacted as possible informal review team members. The number of educational modules completed include the following titles; Bedding and Manure Management, Bio-Security and Herdsmanship, Genetics and Meat Quality, Improving Pre-wean Survivability, Improving Herd Health in Alternative Growth Environments, Niche Pork Systems, Alternative Pork Production and Growth Environments, Alternative Swine Nutrition, and Improving Alternative Swine Reproduction. The educational modules and extension modules have been compiled to reduce duplicative work flow. This is an effort to induce and support intergenerational dialog and promote farm transition and entrepreneurial efforts. The development team has also collected over 300 digital photos and over 20 hours of digital video as well as various PDF documents for use as supporting materials for inclusion on the module CD's. PARTICIPANTS: Dr. Don Levis was an Extension Swine Specialist with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and was the project director. Dr. Levis has since retired (2010) from the University of Nebraska and accepted an emeritus position. Dr. Levis' proposed salary expectations for attachment to the grant could not be approved. Dr. Levis has completed the aforementioned publications as per contractual agreement and had no further involvement in the development of the educational or extension modules. Dr. Twig Marston has been assigned as the project director in the position of overseeing and approving budgetary requests. Richard Ness has separated (2010) from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and ended his involvement in the grant. Klint Stewart was a swine field agent with Niman Ranch and has since been reassigned to other duties, thus ending his involvement with the grant. Dr. Duane Reese has assisted with attempts to hold swine producer meetings in Norfolk, NE, but has accepted no other responsibilities pursuant to the completion of the grant. Wyatt Fraas works as a project coordinator with the Center for Rural Affairs; however he has no admitted experience working with swine and thus was unable to participate in the development of project materials or scheduled planning of producer meetings. The Center for Rural Affairs ended their involvement with the grant in Dec. of 2010 upon the completion of the original contract terms. The Center for Rural Affairs initial contract gave no requirement for the completion of any measurable project deliverables and none were presented. The project attempted to contract the services of Dr.'s Honeyman and Lammers as well Iowa State Extension Educator Dave Stender, recognized experts in the field of alternative swine production, to assist in the preparation and development of project materials. While these individuals verbally agreed to assist, all attempts to retain their services through official request and contract were denied or ignored. The only individual left working on the grant was Tim Lemmons, University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension Educator. Tim has completed the development of both the educational and extension swine video modules after an extensive self-directed professional development effort to obtain the necessary research background and alternative swine production knowledge. TARGET AUDIENCES: Innovative Teaching Methodology - video modules were developed for distribution in DVD format to facilitate reaching a broader range of alternative pork producers that may otherwise not have access to formal training and education. The DVD package also includes a CD with supporting research-based educational material relevant to the acquired educational or extension module. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Due to the denied attempts to bring new individuals into the grant project, several of the original grant outcomes proposed could not be completed. The project deliverables that could be completed within the scope of the granted work environment include a series of producer meetings for alternative pork producers and the development of 10 DVD-based asynchronous educational and extension modules for use in high school vocational agriculture programs, community college courses, and by beginning alternative pork producers.
Impacts
An objective of this project is to develop education and extension modules that may be used by a target audience to include high school junior and senior FFA students, community college students, and adult learners interested in participation in the alternative swine industry. Several of the modules were informally reviewed by FFA instructors and members of the alternative pork community. Recommended changes to the modules were considered and where appropriate (supported by research community data), changes made. Ten alternative pork modules have been produced with the aforementioned titles for distribution through conventional marketing channels targeting high school FFA programs and alternative pork producers. An evaluation instrument will be included with each module to collect feedback pursuant to future journal publication related to alternative pork production characteristics as well as to measure the overall educational impact of the material. Two alternative pork producer meetings were attempted in June and August of 2011. Very low projected participation by alternative pork operators (measured through pre-conference registrations) triggered meeting cancelations.
Publications
- Levis, D. (2011). Hand-Mating Pigs on Small- and Medium-Sized Pork Operations (Design and Management Principles). University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension Circular EC287.
- Levis, D., Reese, D., and Ness, R. (2011). Pen-Mating Female Pigs: Problems and Possible Solutions. University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension Circular EC284.
- Levis, D. (2011). Biosecurity of Pigs and Farm Security, University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension Circular EC289.
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Progress 01/01/10 to 12/31/10
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Advisory Board - to ensure the development of a highly useful end product, the project was started with an 18 member advisory board to include members from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension Swine Specialists, Extension Educators, personnel from the Center for Applied Rural Innovation, active pork producers, instructors from the Northeast Community College, Center for Rural Affairs, Niman Ranch Pork Division, and North Central Region Sustainable Agricultural Research Education. Due to challenging economic conditions and downturns in the staffing of positions critical to this project, many of the organizations have been unable to maintain their active roles in the development of the modules. Thus, the Advisory Board has been reduced to include only those personnel still active in development, to include members of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Swine Extension, Extension Educators, active alternative pork producers, and the Center for Rural Affairs. To enhance the reach of the project, we have replaced inactive members of the board with high school FFA instructors. A main objective of this project is to develop modules for use in both extension education as well mainstream high school (junior/senior class standing) FFA and first-year community college students. The number of educational modules has been increased from 8 to 10 with each module being shorter to accommodate the instructional habits of those that will use them. The portion of the project has been reduced from 12 videos to 10, with the removal of repetitive sections. A secondary goal of the action is to allow the extension user to engage the modules as the same speed and rate as the educational user. This is an effort to induce and support intergenerational dialog and promote farm transition and entrepreneurial efforts. The development team has thus far collected approx. 16 hours of video documenting the production practices of alternative swine operations to include both animal husbandry as well sustainable practices. The development team has also collected over 200 digital photos as support material for development as well as over 40 PDF documents for use on the supporting materials CD to be included with each full product. PARTICIPANTS: Dr. Don Levis was an Extension Swine Specialist with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and was the project director of the grant. Dr. Levis has retired from the university and is currently a member of the advisory board. The position of project director has been assumed by Dr. Twig Marston. Richard Ness was an Alternative Pork Production Extension Educator with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in charge of the daily operations of the grant, setting up and executing round-table discussions, planning and advertising educational programs, and organizing the subject matter content of the modules. Mr. Ness separated from the grant and has been replaced by Tim Lemmons, and Extension Associate Educator with experience in commercial swine production. Klint Stewart was a Swine Field Agent for Niman Ranch Pork Division responsible for organizing meetings with niche pork producers, assisting with the outlining of material for the modules, and presenting material at pork producer meetings. Mr. Stewart has been reassigned by Niman Ranch and has separated from the grant; Mr. Stewart's replacement has not yet been determined. Wyatt Fraas works for the Center for Rural Affairs and is the Rural Opportunities and Stewardship Program Assistant Director. Mr. Fraas continues to assist with the development of the educational and extension video modules. TARGET AUDIENCES: Innovative teaching methodology - video modules are being developed for distribution in DVD format to facilitate reaching a broader range of alternative pork producers that may otherwise not have access to formal training and education. Pork Producer meeting - one workshop was conducted to help small- and medium- sized pork enterprise improve: (1) Swine Genetic Improvement, (2) Reproductive Health, (3) Environmental Stress and Management, (4) Gilt Development, (5) Penmating Trouble Shooting, and (6) Precision Management. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
An objective of this project is to develop education and extension modules that may be used by a target audience to include high school junior and senior FFA students, community college students, and adult learners interested in participating in the alternative swine industry. Several of the modules have been developed and sent out for review by the advisory board. Those that have been returned with comments are under additional revision before being formally sent out to a review panel for critical review. On March 3, 2010 an educational program was held in cooperation with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Swine department and the Iowa State University at the Lifelong Learning Center in Norfolk, NE focusing on advanced swine breeding and management. Topics covered included (1) Genetic Improvement, (2) Penmating Problems (3) Environmental Effects on the Breeding Herd, (4) Precision Management for the Sow Herd, (5) Advanced Swine Reproductive Health, and (6) Gilt Management for Highly Prolific Females. The meeting was attended by 28 representatives of the swine industry from Iowa, Nebraska, and South Dakota. All attendees indicated that they improved their knowledge of reproductive swine management as a result of the meeting. In September of 2010, Dr. Twig Marston attended a Professional Improvement conference held by the USDA NIFA. Dr. Marston delivered a presentation overview of the project as well as a short demonstration module from the educational learning module in development. Dr. Marston received positive comments related to the quality of the delivery method as well as the instructional material.
Publications
- Levis, D. (2010). Pen Mating Female Pigs: Problems and Possible Solutions. University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension Circular, (in review).
- Levis, D. (2010). Hand Mating Female Pigs: Problems and Possible Solutions. University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension Circular, (in review).
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Progress 01/01/09 to 12/31/09
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Advisory Board - To ensure the development of a highly useful end product an 18 member advisory board was formed. The advisory board members include people from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (Extension Swine Specialists, Extension Educators and Center for Applied Rural Innovation), active pork producers, instructors from Northeast Community College at Norfolk, Center for Rural Affairs, Niman Ranch Pork Division, North Central Region-Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education, and Nebraska-Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education. The advisory board met on March 5, 2009. Content of Modules - A main objective of this project is to develop modules for use in the both the Extension and Education portions. The number of modules to be developed for the Extension portion is 12 and 8 for the Education portion. The content to include in these 20 modules has been identified. The primary author to develop each module has been assigned. The authors are in the process of developing their assigned modules. GoogleDoc is the platform being used whereby the authors of the modules can easily review and edit each others modules. Video Equipment - Appropriate video equipment has been purchased whereby high quality video footage can be recorded. Pork Producer Meetings - When holding meetings for small- and medium-sized swine operations, the audience is informed about the development of this product. PARTICIPANTS: Donald G. Levis.- Dr. Levis is an Extension Swine Specialist for the University of Nebraska - Lincoln. He is the project director of the grant. He provided leadership in developing an advisory board for the project, assisted with outlining the subject matter content to be included in the Extension and Educational modules, is the lead author on two modules being developed, assisted with organizing pork producer meetings, and gave presentations at pork producer and Extension Educator meetings. Richard L. Ness - Mr. Ness is an Alternative Pork Production Extension Educator for the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He was in charge of the daily operations of the grant. He organized pork producer meetings and round table discussion groups, assisted with outlining the subject matter content of the modules, and gave presentations at the niche pork producer meetings. Klint Stewart - Mr. Stewart is a Swine Field Agent for Niman Ranch Pork Division. He organized a meeting for niche pork producers, assisted with outlining the subject matter content for Extension modules, gave presentations at pork producer meetings, and took photographs for use in Extension segment modules. Wyatt Fraas - Mr. Fraas works for the Center for Rural Affairs and is the Rural Opportunities and Stewardship Program Assistant Director. Mr. Fraas assisted with outlining the subject matter content to be included in the Extension and Educational modules and participated in farm visits to take video footage. Timothy M. Lemmons - Mr. Lemmons is an Extension Educator for the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Mr. Lemmons has assumed the role as daily operations manager. He is also in the process of developing modules for the project. TARGET AUDIENCES: Pork producer meetings - Two workshops were conducted to help small- and medium-sized pork enterprises improve: (1) record keeping, (2) enterprise analysis, (3) management of the breeding herd, and (4) decrease pre-weaning death loss. One round table discussion group was organized for small-sized pork producers raising pork for a niche market. One seminar was held for small- and medium-sized pork operations to discuss ways to increase efficiencies and reduce cost of producing pork. National Pork Board 2010 Swine Educators Conference - Dr. Levis gave a brief oral presentation to 100 participants from 20 states and answered numerous questions about the educational product being developed during a 1-hour poster session. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
An objective of this project is to conduct educational programs for small- and medium-sized pork enterprises. The information prepared for use in the Extension modules was used in delivery of the educational programs. We developed and delivered three programs that focused on increasing efficiency and profits on niche farms and small- and medium-sized farms. The scientific based topics presented were: (1) a summary of niche pork producer records, (2) management to increase sow productivity in niche breeding herds and small- and medium-sized swine enterprises, (3) farrowing systems and management to reduce pre-weaning death loss, and (4) increasing efficiencies and reducing costs of producing pork. Sixty-nine people participated in the programs. The people attending the meetings were from Nebraska, Iowa, South Dakota, Missouri and Kansas. Eighty-one percent of the participants indicated that this educational program will likely or very likely improve the profitability and sustainability of their swine enterprise. We conducted one round table discussion group session for Nebraska farmers who produce pigs for niche pork markets. Twenty-five people participated in the discussion. The focus of the discussion was on genetic selection for niche markets and the management of the breeding herd. A swine nutritionist, seed stock producer, niche pork company representative, a swine veterinarian, and two niche pork producers made short presentations followed by lively discussions. Research based information was used throughout the meeting to help answer questions and solve production problems encountered by the participants. Eighty percent of the participants indicated that the information gained from the discussion would likely or very likely assist them in improving the management and profitability of their swine enterprise. Ninety-five percent of the participants indicated a moderate to significant improvement in their knowledge. Another objective of this project is to inform university Extension swine educators and United States pork industry about the development of educational materials specifically designed for small- and medium-sized pork enterprises. Dr. Levis participated in the National Pork Board's 2010 Swine Educators In-Service conference held in Council Bluffs, Iowa. A poster about the project was presented to 100 participants from 20 states. The National Pork Board conference is attended people from Land Grant universities, state universities, community colleges, and State Pork Producer organizations. During the poster session, several states indicated a sincere interest in using the product after it is completed.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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