Impacts of the Maine Pastured Pig Program
Animal Science
Colt Knight
State Livestock Specialist
University of Maine Cooperative Extension
Orono
Abstract
In Spring 2019, the University of Maine Cooperative Extension was awarded a Maine Food and Agriculture Center grant to create a research/demonstration herd of pigs called the Maine Pastured Pig Project. A small group of registered Berkshire pigs was established at the J. F. Witter Teaching and Research Center adjacent to the University of Maine campus in Orono, ME. Because most research and production data were gathered from large-scale confinement swine operations, this herd was going to serve as a means to gather insight and production data on a typical small-scale/backyard/pasture operation in the New England area. Insights gathered from this project served as a springboard for 41 educational seminars, 13 educational videos (>7000 views), and 3 fact sheets (>3000 views), 4 collaborations with Maine media outlets, invitations to speak in 3 other states on raising pastured pigs, co-authoring a research grant with Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation, and forestry, and a course offered to undergraduates at the University of Maine, AVS 267 – Swine Production. Educational events/seminars included introductory to advanced swine information, meat processing education, and youth events to over 750 individuals. The project helped secure $35,270 in funding. Participants of swine programs reported an overall score of 4.88/5 for knowledge gained, 4.75/5 for Usefulness of Information, and 4.98/5 for Quality of Presentations. Roughly, 75% of participants in swine programs and webinars reported an increase of confidence in ability to keep pigs; 63% agreed to adopt one new practice to improve their herds heath; 50% intended to implement at least one new practice they learned to improve animal productivity; and 30% responded they will have a source of meat or income for the families now.
Authors: Colt W. Knight
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Colt W. Knight State Livestock Specialist, University of Maine, Maine, 04473