Swine placements may consist of operations that specialize in one growing phase of a pig, such as feeder pigs, or they may be farrow to finish operations. Trainees may be involved with and rotated to all areas of the operation: farrowing, processing new litter, treating sick animals, weaning, breeding, feeding, record keeping, sanitation, and ventilation. Swine placements are available in Iowa, Minnesota and Wisconsin. These are year-round placements.
Some of the skills learned may include:
- Care and feeding of gestating sows, lactating sows, feeder pigs and finishing pigs
- Ration balancing
- Hog transportation
- Herd health management
- Herd management
- Marketing of crops and livestock
- Operation of farm machinery and on-road vehicles
- Seed, fertilizer, and crop protection decisions
- Harvesting and drying of crops
- Financial management including computer income and expense records, depreciation and capital purchases and sales
- Exposure to the American way of life and business
*Actual skills learned will vary by host and previous experience