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Managing Pig Health in a Pasture-Based System
Friday, June 14 | 10 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. | Elliot, IA
The Mardesens began selling pigs to Niman Ranch in 2002. In a pasture-based farrow-to-finish pig operation, it is essential to follow precise health procedures. Drew White, a veterinarian for Niman Ranch, will speak about managing vaccine protocols, record-keeping and preventive health measures to conduct for your swine herd. Learn how the Mardesens pasture-farrow, and incorporate livestock into their field crop rotations.
HOST: Ron Mardesen | A Frame Acres | (712) 767-2628 | aframe@netins.net
SPEAKER: Drew White – Niman Ranch
THE FARM:
A Frame Acres has been in the Mardesen family for five generations. Today, three generations still work the farm. Part of the family’s farm ground was virgin land first broken by their ancestors, and the Mardesens are the only people who have ever farmed it. Ron’s mom helps with the cattle; Ron and his wife, Denise, run the hogs; and their three children, Matty, Michael and Anna, help out as well. The Mardesens raise as few as 450 hogs up to 1,300 a year, depending on how much corn they harvest the year prior. They mostly grow corn with soybeans in rotation alongside alfalfa, oats and livestock.
TOPICS:
- Integrating livestock in field crop rotations
- Pasture-farrowing
- Vaccine protocol
- Record-keeping
- Marketing pigs with Niman Ranch
SPONSORS:
- Niman Ranch
- Lyman Vet Clinic
- United Farmers Cooperative
LOCATION: 54808 Youngstown Road Elliott 51532
DIRECTIONS:
From I-80: Take Exit 60 for U.S. 71 and head south for 20 miles. Turn right (west) on IA Hwy 92 (Tucson Road) and travel 8 miles to Griswold. Turn left (south) on IA Hwy 48 (Adair Street), go 5 miles and turn west on Youngstown Road.
MEAL INFORMATION:
A potluck lunch will follow the field day, with pulled pork provided by Niman Ranch; please bring a side dish to share. Please RSVP by clicking the blue button below.
We take RSVP numbers to get an idea of the amount of food that we need to provide for the event. If you RSVP after the deadline but before the event, you are still welcome, but we cannot guarantee a meal.
2019 Field Day Sponsors
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