MANKATO, Minn. —Dr. Lee Johnson left his students behind at the University of Minnesota, Morris to attend the Minnesota Pork Congress in Mankato on Feb. 15 and 16. Education is Johnson’s forte at Morris where he teaches and trains graduate students. And the Pork Congress supplies Johnson with plenty of fodder to bring back to class.
“This Pork Congress is a tremendous way to find out what’s going on in the swine industry. Hog producers are always asking what we’re working on in our hog facilities at our Morris campus. And for me, it’s a good place to collect ideas from hog producers too. Gives me some ideas on programs we should be considering in our efforts. And a good opportunity to introduce our students to key people within the hog industry. So this event is a good place to conveniently connect with the ever-expanding ambitions of this tremendous industry,” said Johnson.
I asked Johnson if he senses an optimism in the hog industry — particularly in the younger people who may be struggling to get established in this very competitive business.
“The swine industry is very technically based, and becoming more so as new ideas come along. And as more science percolates into this industry, that attracts more younger people,” said Johnson. “All these precision farming technologies are exciting to many of these younger folks. And I get good feedback from many of my graduate students pursuing future work in this new world of American agriculture. It’s exciting to see these students come in to my classes … they’ve got great ideas. So we have great exchanges with these younger students so eager to learn more of the marvels of science and technology.”
So technology helps capture students’ interest. But how do you keep them hooked once the newness wears off?
“I tell my students pork production and animal production is like a big spider web,” Johnson explained. “You pull on one thing here and something way across the room moves — because everything is connected to everything. Students don’t always understand that until they get into the industry; so we’re continually exposing them to ideas that get them to think more holistic while at the same time we’re trying to get them to drill down on a particular topic and think very granular on it. It’s fun to see the students process that.”
Q: And now an agricultural innovation center is being proposed in your area?
Lee: That is a response from the livestock industry needing some answers to their issues. A research and training center that would provide some answers for the foreseeable future is the undertaking of this ambitious group. And in view of the ongoing increase in agricultural net worth this seems a very timely endeavor with retributions over the next 25,30 or even t0 years what ever it is.
Do you see technology continuing its relentless spiral in the swine industry?
“I don’t see how it can stop,” stated Johnson. “Lots of creative thinkers in this industry — both producer ranks and the innovative entrepreneurs. When you have that chemistry working, technology will keep spinning out regardless. But there will always be winners … because that’s just how things happen in this wonderful democracy of America. Labor is a factor also — whether its dairy, poultry or swine — its getting people to do the work. And technologies that extend the abilities of the people that are there will always be a need. It’s a little bit like a lot of science: we can figure it out, but we can’t always stop it. And finding the better way to implement some of this new thinking is somewhat the task of we teachers and educators.”
Johnson said he is seeing more women in his graduate programs these days; and the interest is relatively strong. “Out of the last six graduate students, five were women. Women have become very active in advanced degree programs in the agricultural sciences. And I don’t really know why. Perhaps they are simply more patient … and more persistent in their ambitions.”
“We get quite a few students transferring in from other campuses, even other states,” Johnson went on to say. “So it’s apparent the technology impacts of this campus and its faculty continue to sprout new students — and these days more women than men. Weather-wise, we’re not the most comfortable environment; but if better learning is the ambition, we’re a good place to hibernate for a few months in your educational journey.”
Since Johnson brought up the weather, I asked him if his area received enough rain in late August and early September to recharge the fields and get farmers in gear this spring. “They’ll be in gear regardless!” he replied. “That’s just the nature of farmers — especially up here. We’ve had a fairly good snow blanket; but how much of that melt percolates into the soil structure we don’t know. Suffice to say, every acre will get planted just like it always does. That’s the intestinal fortitude of farmers. Plus I’m certain our farmers stay in daily touch with their Father in Heaven. That’s the most important connection needed!”
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