New NDSU extension swine specialist optimistic about the future
Taw Scaff sees opportunities for swine sector expansion
20 September 2024
3 minute read
By: While the North Dakota swine industry is small compared to the rest of the Midwest, opportunities exist for future expansion. Taw Scaff, a new swine specialist for North Dakota State University Extension, sees a promising future for the swine industry in the state, according to a North Dakota State University news release.
“I have witnessed the swine industry’s positive impact on rural communities,” said Scaff. “Swine production facilities engage in sustainable production practices to foster relationships while building and advancing communities.”
According to Scaff, North Dakota has great potential for two types of swine operations: 1) nucleus and multiplier herds and 2) commercial sow and wean-to-finish farms.
Nucleus and multiplier herds are vital to the swine industry. They house sows, gilts and boars used for genetic advancement. Housing herds in remote areas away from other swine facilities helps ensure animal health. Multiplier herds receive progeny and semen from different nucleus herds for cross-breeding to produce animals specific to their farm needs.
“North Dakota, with its current low inventory of pigs and available land, is poised to become a prime location for swine production systems to house nucleus and multiplier herds,” Scaff said. “This potential could provide other swine-producing states such as Minnesota, South Dakota and Iowa with greater flexibility and access to these herds, sparking a new era of collaboration and growth in the swine industry.”
Commercial sow farms supply wean-to-finish operations with weaned pigs to raise to market weight for pork production. Wean-to-finish farms raise pigs from weaning for about six months until the animal reaches market weight.
The expansion potential for swine production systems in neighboring states is limited due to land availability or proximity to other swine farms. Relocating or expanding sow operations into North Dakota could provide nearby states additional space for finishing pigs while maintaining a higher health status in the sow herd.
North Dakota’s abundant crop production could supply the swine industry with feedstuffs. The recent addition of soybean crushing and ethanol facilities and the continued processing of other grains and crops in the state could provide valuable by-products to swine producers.
Potential benefits also exist for North Dakotans.
“The swine industry gives back to the community by providing jobs in rural areas, creating manure rich in nutrients as an economical fertilizer for farmers, and generating income to support local businesses,” Scaff says.
Scaff joined NDSU in the Department of Animal Sciences earlier this summer. He is responsible for conducting applied studies and demonstrations on campus and at commercial swine farms, and he will collaborate with Extension agents and specialists to support their education and research programs.
“Dr. Scaff is passionate about developing relationships and helping new and current swine producers and allied industry representatives to grow the swine industry in North Dakota,” says Mohamed Khan, NDSU Extension assistant director and program leader for agriculture and natural resources.
Scaff received his Ph.D. from Purdue University, where his research focused on swine nutrition and reproduction. He grew up in a small rural community in Oklahoma and received bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Oklahoma State University.
