34 Swine Breeding Herd Practicum Winternship

Approximately 70% of Animal Science students at Mizzou enroll without large animal experience, and commercial swine production exposure is very low (1-3%). As such, few consider careers in the swine industry. Winter break is 4 or 5 weeks long, allowing more than enough family time. An opportunity for full-time employment for students for 1-2 weeks over winter break on commercial sow units was arranged for 1 or 2 students each of 2 years. Host farms reported students were ‘shell shocked’ for the first 3 or 4 d, finding the scope of production overwhelming. A more formal program was designed to introduce students to modern swine breeding herd management, combining academic and field training over a period of several months. Eligible students have at least sophomore standing, can demonstrate a sincere interest in learning about careers in commercial pork production, and are able to commute to farms within 2 hr of campus. Cooperating farms provide hands-on experience on a modern commercial sow farm, help arrange housing, and pay students nominally during the winter break portion. Students are interviewed, and those selected to participate (n = up to 6) sign a code of conduct and participation agreement. In the fall semester they attend 8 hours of classroom instruction covering: gilt development; isolation/acclimation and biosecurity; reproductive anatomy/physiology; detection and synchronization of estrus; artificial insemination; pregnancy diagnosis; farrowing room preparation; induction of farrowing; obstetrical intervention; colostrum management; d 1 pig care; feeding and handling sows and piglets; careers. Interspersed on weekends during fall semester are 3 weekend days shadowing/working in pairs on commercial farms within 1.5 hours of campus. This training prepares them for ‘full time employment’ on a breeding farm, and students work for 1 or 2 weeks over the winter break on commercial sow units. Upon completion of the full-time employment phase, students prepare a written summary of their experience, upon which the majority of their grade rests.