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Meat Goat Cohort Will Provide Learning Opportunities for Iowa and Wisconsin Producers

By Carolyn Ihde

Meat goat producers in Iowa and Wisconsin can improve their knowledge of the industry by attending Meat Goat Cohort 25, which will launch in October.

This multi-session program is intended to increase producer knowledge of how to analyze production systems and implement strategies that improve efficiency and productivity, while providing a supportive environment for networking and collaboration.

Topics will include biosecurity protocols, diseases and vaccinations, kidding preparation, nutrition requirements and testing, marketing, parasite management and on-farm field trips.

The program is being organized by Carolyn Ihde, small ruminant field specialist for Iowa State University Extension and Outreach and the University of Wisconsin-Madison Division of Extension.

“This program offers a unique opportunity to meet in person and via Zoom,” said Ihde. “This journey will not only inspire and excite meat goat producers, but it will also lead to significant personal growth and learning.”

Early-registration is encouraged to help program organizers determine the best program for the cohort. Speakers and topics will be determined by those who register. Register by completing the Google form at https://go.wisc.edu/ext-mgc25.

Source : iastate.edu

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Advancing Swine Disease Traceability: USDA's No-Cost RFID Tag Program for Market Channels

Video: Advancing Swine Disease Traceability: USDA's No-Cost RFID Tag Program for Market Channels

On-demand webinar, hosted by the Meat Institute, experts from the USDA, National Pork Board (NPB) and Merck Animal Health introduced the no-cost 840 RFID tag program—a five-year initiative supported through African swine fever (ASF) preparedness efforts. Beginning in Fall 2025, eligible sow producers, exhibition swine owners and State Animal Health Officials can order USDA-funded RFID tags through Merck A2025-10_nimal Health.

NPB staff also highlighted an additional initiative, funded by USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) Veterinary Services through NPB, that helps reduce the cost of transitioning to RFID tags across the swine industry and strengthens national traceability efforts.

Topics Covered:

•USDA’s RFID tag initiative background and current traceability practices

•How to access and order no-cost 840 RFID tags

•Equipment support for tag readers and panels

•Implementation timelines for market and cull sow channels How RFID improves ASF preparedness an