Animal Agriculture

Upcoming Sessions

There are no entries at this time.

Session Recordings

• Manure Haulers Certification

  Published on March 2, 2023

  This presentation will explain what the certification program is and why farmers will want to hire manure applicators who are certified through the Michigan Manure Hauler Certification Program.

• Biosecurity Basics to Prevent the Spread of Disease

  Published on March 1, 2023

  Biosecurity isn’t as hard as you might think! Participants will learn easy-to-follow, everyday practices will help reduce the spread of pathogens among animal communities and help keep their animals safe from disease.

• Small Flock Poultry Management

  Published on February 28, 2023

  Raising chickens can be a fun activity for families regardless of if they live on a “farm” or not. In this session you will learn basics of poultry management that will set you on the right path to keeping your birds healthy, happy, and productive!

• Getting Started with Beekeeping

  Published on February 27, 2023

  The Michigan Ag Ideas to Grow With virtual conference offers multiple educational opportunities, including a session for people interested in learning to keep honey bees and support pollinator health. (RUP credits available)

• Label Claims on Meat and Poultry Products

  Published on March 21, 2022

  This session will focus on label requirements and label claims.

• Michigan’s Secure Food Supply Plan

  Published on March 16, 2022

  Farmers regularly face risks in their operations and for livestock farmers one of the biggest risks to their animals is a disease outbreak. This session will include information on SPS as it pertains to Michigan farmers, discuss the expectations from state government if an outbreak occurs in the US and will highlight the signs and symptoms of this foreign animal disease.

• Veterans in AG / Horticulture

  Published on February 19, 2021

  MI Ag Ideas to Grow With 2021 - Horticulture & Natural Resources Session: Nearly 200,000 military service members re-enter the civilian job market every year. Many of them are turning to careers in agriculture to take advantage of their military skillsets or prior farm experience. In this session, learn about the most in-demand resources for veteran farmers, where to find them, and how to use them.

• Backyard Cattle Management

  Published on February 18, 2021

  MI Ag Ideas to Grow With 2021 - Animal Agriculture Session: More people are interested in producing their own beef or supplying friends and family with beef. This presentation offers a nutritional perspective of raising beef cattle for freezer beef. In order to have cattle ready for your harvest appointment, this presentation will discuss different nutritional management strategies and their effects on growth and meat quality.

• Setting up Online Sales for Your Farm

  Published on February 18, 2021

  MI Ag Ideas to Grow With 2021 - Animal Agriculture Session: Navigating the variety of options for online platforms for sales can be overwhelming. Finding one that meets your needs and accurately conveys the spirit of your farm makes a one-size-fits-all approach impractical. This session will walk farmers through considerations important for moving online, such as their current inventory management strategies, the spirit of their farm, current online marketing tools (i.e. Instagram, Facebook), and current payment processor or point-of-sale device.

• The Realities that no one tells you about Owning Chickens and the Direct Marketing of Meat

  Published on February 17, 2021

  MI Ag Ideas to Grow With 2021 - Animal Agriculture Session: Many people who buy chicks or even grow chickens do not understand the ramifications of owning such animals. Owning poultry is very different from dogs and cats even though they are of similar size, it is more like owning livestock and they should be treated as such. This presentation will introduce and familiarize potential and current poultry owners with the different aspects of raising poultry that they may not understand. Learn more about nutrition, housing, laws and regulations, sick poultry care, diseases and general considerations when owning and raising poultry. There are a lot of factors to consider when direct marketing meats to consumers. What are the required regulations and how do you follow them? Where can you sell your meat? What factors should you consider when choosing and working with a processor? How do you price the product? What are the impacts of COVID-19 on direct marketing meat and processor scheduling? This session will cover the basics of direct marketing meat and answer these questions and others you have.This presentation is included as part of the Realities That No One Tells You About Owning Chickens recording.

• Basic Healthy Practices for Pigs

  Published on February 16, 2021

  MI Ag Ideas to Grow With 2021 - Animal Agriculture Session: This session will include information that will help the small or beginning farmers who are involved in pork production. Participants will gain knowledge on proper production practices that focus on management over medication including; biosecurity, vaccination programs, deworming practices, identifying sick or at-risk animals and information on foreign animal diseases (FAD) that pig farmers should be aware of. Whether you are raising animal for your freezer, using a custom butcher while marketing freezer meat or selling pigs on the open market, this session will help you gain a better understanding of production practices that will help improve the health of your swine herd.

• Tips and Tricks for Wintertime on the Horse Farm

  Published on February 15, 2021

  MI Ag Ideas to Grow With 2021 - Animal Agriculture Session: Learn about feeding and housing your horse through the winter. This presentation will include the topics of the importance of body condition scoring your horse, winter dehydration, managing hay supplies, as well as tips for housing your horse(s) throughout the sometimes-artic blast of wintertime.