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Registration Now Open: UMN and NDSU Soil Management Conference, January 2026

University of Minnesota Extension and NDSU Extension are excited to announce that registration is now open for the Soil Management Summit (SMS) and Dakota Innovation Research and Technology (DIRT) Conference on January 14-15, 2025 in Fargo, ND!

The SMS and DIRT Conference highlights the importance of real farmer know-how and local research. This innovative gathering offers presentations and Q&A sessions with farmers, researchers, and agricultural advisors, valuable insights from sponsors, and opportunities for informal discussions.

The SMS and DIRT Conference covers a variety of topics, including:

  • Cover crops
  • Tillage practices
  • Nutrient management
  • Soil health economics
  • Livestock management
  • Soil biology
Source : umn.edu

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CEOs of the Industry: John McIntire, Partner at Pike Pig Systems

Video: CEOs of the Industry: John McIntire, Partner at Pike Pig Systems

CEOs of the Industry, Jim sits down with John McIntire, Partner at Pike Pig Systems, one of the most quietly impressive 26,000-sow operations in the U.S. John shares how he grew from operator to partner, how Pike built a people-first culture with long-tenured managers, and why they’re committed to weaning bigger, stronger pigs at 25+ days.

John breaks down how Pike stays efficient in a tough economic environment, the power of their shareholder-owned farm model, and how their work with PIC and a 240-head boar facility drives genetics and health outcomes. He also opens up about the innovations Pike adopts — and how they decide what’s truly valuable versus industry hype.

From Prop 12 and labor challenges to trade, consumer expectations, and sustainability, John chooses a hot-button issue and shares how Pike is preparing for the future. The episode closes with a rapid-fire “Fast Five” — mindset, leadership, daily habits, and three words that define Pike Pig Systems in 2025.

If you want a look inside a people-driven, purpose-driven, quietly elite pork system, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.