College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences
From Bright Leaf to Berkshires
An Alternative Swine Production Course and Outreach Program
Six weekends starting March 3, 2023

By attending the school, participants will learn:
- Background about N.C. A&T and the College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, and how it fulfills its tripartite mission of teaching, research, and outreach through Cooperative Extension.
- An overview of alternative swine production systems.
- An in-depth look at managing swine in hoop structures, stocking rates, bedding and watering systems.
- Background on the Berkshire breed, characteristics, within-breed selection based on niche markets. An understanding of swine reproduction, mating systems and artificial insemination.
- An understanding of swine digestion, nutrition and feeding systems. Waste management, methods to reduce nitrogen/urea in waste, bedding options and practices.
- An in-depth look at swine behavior, management/handling and welfare.
- An in-depth look at swine health, the diseases most applicable to N.C swine, and vaccination schedule.
- An overview of the cuts of pork.
- An understanding of market strategies and profit maximization
Dates Include:
- Application Deadline February 22, 2023
- March 3-4, 17-18
- March 31-April 1
- April 21-22
- May 5-6
- May 20 (Extension Workshop)