By Scout Nelson
North Dakota State University recently celebrated the renovation and expansion of its Swine Research and Teaching Center, a project designed to strengthen research, education, and support for the livestock industry. The upgraded facility provides modern infrastructure that helps researchers, students, and producers address important challenges facing animal agriculture.
The expansion was made possible through a four-year fundraising effort led by the NDSU Foundation. The project added a 600-head grow-finish barn and a new classroom facility to the existing swine center. These improvements increase the university's ability to conduct research on a larger scale while providing students with valuable hands-on learning opportunities.
The original swine facility was built in the early 1980s. In 2019, portions of the facility were renovated to modernize production systems, including the transition from individual sow stalls to group housing. While those improvements enhanced animal care and management practices, limitations remained. The facility lacked sufficient grow-finish space, classroom areas, and efficient livestock loading capabilities.
“At that time, we had plenty of gestation and farrowing space, but we did not have enough grow-finish space to fully utilize the renovations completed in 2019,” Byrd said. “Without the extra grow-finish space, we struggled to provide meaningful teaching and research on an industry-relevant scale.”
Planning for further expansion gained momentum in 2023. University leaders, researchers, and industry partners worked together to identify the equipment and infrastructure needed to support future research and educational goals. The project was designed to improve the university's ability to conduct commercially relevant studies while providing direct benefits to livestock producers.
The expanded facility now includes two separate grow-finish rooms capable of housing 400 and 200 pigs. Large viewing windows allow visitors and students to observe the facilities without disrupting operations. Additional features include dedicated sick pens for animal recovery, a group weighing scale, a classroom with demonstration space, and a modern loading area capable of handling both small trailers and semi-trucks.
“This facility represents a major step forward in our ability to conduct industry-relevant research and prepare the next generation of agricultural leaders,” said Greg Lardy, Joe and Norma Peltier Vice President for Agriculture at NDSU. “By expanding our capacity and modernizing our infrastructure, we are better positioned to support producers, advance animal agriculture, and drive innovation in the region.”
Researchers expect the facility to support studies focused on animal nutrition, feed efficiency, reproductive performance, environmental management, labor efficiency, animal health, and animal welfare. The upgraded infrastructure closely reflects modern commercial swine production systems, making research results more applicable to real-world farming operations.
The project also creates significant educational benefits. Students gain hands-on experience working in a modern commercial-style livestock environment while applying classroom knowledge to practical situations. This experience helps prepare graduates for careers in animal agriculture and related industries.
The expansion received strong support from agricultural organizations, including the North Dakota Corn Utilization Council, the North Dakota Soybean Council, and the North Dakota Farmers Union. Their contributions helped make the project possible and demonstrated a shared commitment to advancing agricultural research and education.
Photo Credit: North Dakota State University
Categories: North Dakota, Education, Livestock, Hogs