Extension animal and livestock teams help Minnesota meat and dairy producers, small and large animal owners, beekeepers and people raising backyard flocks meet the challenges of changing industries and local regulations. Extension research and education help ensure the health, comfort and safety of animals and provide assurance of quality products for consumers.
The United States Department of Agriculture published new organic livestock and poultry production standards. The goal of clearer standards is to increase consistency in animal welfare practices.
High heat and humidity can make it dangerous for growers to work outdoors. While wildfire smoke and other air pollutants can make it dangerous for growers to breathe the air while working outdoors. Here are some best practices for protecting yourself and your employees.
Agrivoltaics refer to growing crops, building pollinator habitats or raising livestock underneath solar panels. It allows for renewable energy systems and agriculture to occur on the same piece of land.
The University of Minnesota Extension beef team helps Minnesota beef producers meet the challenges of a constantly changing industry while providing a desired product to consumers.
Nutrition, reproduction, milk quality and milking cow facilities
Calves on milk, raising healthy calves and heifer reproduction
Biosecurity, common health problems and cattle stockmanship
Nutrition, reproduction and facilities for cows on pasture
Milking dairy cows with robots and other precision dairy investments
Field days, conferences, workshops
Behavior, seasonal care, hoof care, fly control
Preventing and treating diseases, preparing for emergencies, breeding and foals
Feeding hay and forages, supplements, grazing
Good and harmful pasture plants, grazing
Legal considerations, economics
Workshops, webinars and other learning opportunities
Biosecurity and emergency preparedness
Heat stress, reducing salmonella risk, business considerations
Keeping flocks healthy, avian Influenza, biosecurity
Beginner small flock management, disease prevention, meat and egg production
Pig nutrition and water needs, ingredient quality, distillers dried grains with solubles
Preventing disease, understanding antibiotic regulations
Seasonal impacts, saving energy, group sow housing
Heat stress, weight variation, growth performance
Deep-straw hoop structures, pasture production, keeping pigs healthy
Group-housing, gestating sows, aggression among sows
Swine course offerings from Extension including SowBridge, PQA+ and TQA
Stress management, extreme weather, equipment, livestock
Best management practices to safely apply, sample and analyze manure to protect air and water quality
Raising, processing and buying meat for producers, small farmers and consumers
Animal carcass removal and composting, livestock contingency plans
Grazing livestock, alternative systems, forages
Nationwide, Extension Soil Scientist Melissa Wilson and her colleagues are at the forefront of nutrient management through manure science.
Whether it’s a roadside shed or a repurposed hay wagon displaying goods, Minnesota farmstands serve as direct sales points that connect producers with consumers.
The situation is not currently urgent for Minnesota. New World screwworm would most likely be brought into Minnesota through livestock, horses, and other animals traveling from affected areas. Infections are treatable when identified early.
Timely articles about the meat production and dairy industries, farm safety and animal health
© 2026 Regents of the University of Minnesota. All rights reserved. The University of Minnesota is an equal opportunity educator and employer. This work is supported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture.