Three new video resources have been added to the Pork Information Gateway to aid producers who focus on raising pigs using alternative methods of production. Two videos focus on biosecurity and one on sourcing feed.

"The Pork Information Gateway offers extensive resources for producers, educators, Extension staff and even students," says Beverly Durgan, director of Extension at the University of Minnesota and U.S. Pork Center of Excellence board of director chairman. "The new videos are the perfect addition to the online library, especially at a time when producers are strengthening their biosecurity and sourcing their feed more strictly."

The new videos are:

Alternative Pork Production: How Diseases can be Transferred to the Farm, authored by Dave Stender and Kristin Olsen, Iowa State University.

Alternative Pork Production: Keeping Disease off the Farm, authored by Stender and Olsen.

Sourcing Feed for Alternative Production Systems, authored by Jonathan Holt, North Carolina State University

One of the most important considerations for alternative (niche) swine production systems is where to source ingredients and feed. A consistent, quality supply should be the first goal. Since feed represents one of the highest production costs for pork producers, options to reduce feed costs should also be considered.

The scripts for the videos were completed in partnership with North Carolina State University and Iowa State University and funded by the USPCE. PIG, which is managed by the USPCE, is a free online resource library for producers, educators, industry professionals and youth.

"The biosecurity videos demonstrate how important such things as a line of separation are," says Chelsey Van Genderen, USPCE program manager. "The other video depicts what a producer should look for when sourcing the ingredients for their feed. Understanding the importance in these areas can help make producers better caretakers of their pigs."

These resources are a great starting point for alternative, small or beginning farmers, Van Genderen noted. They add to the existing fact sheets, how-to guides and videos already available on the PIG on a variety of topics.

In addition, the Pork Checkoff recently updated its webpage, Alternative Pork Production, for producers seeking direct information on education, research and promotions applicable to them.

Source: National Pork Board, which is solely responsible for the information provided, and wholly owns the information. Informa Business Media and all its subsidiaries are not responsible for any of the content contained in this information asset.