In this episode of The Maine Farmcast, Dr. Colt W. Knight sits down with Dr. Jacqueline Nolting, Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist in Animal Biosecurity at The Ohio State University, to discuss one of the most critical threats facing agriculture today, African Swine Fever (ASF). Dr. Nolting shares her journey from growing up on a small Ohio hobby farm to leading national education and preparedness efforts for the U.S. swine industry. Together, they explore the origins of her innovative Swientist Program, a nationwide youth initiative that uses hands-on education to teach disease prevention, animal handling, and real-world biosecurity practices.

Listeners will gain practical insight into how to prevent the spread of disease, from safe quarantine and disinfection protocols to responsible livestock exhibition and international travel precautions. Dr. Knight and Dr. Nolting break down the science behind ASF and why proactive education is the key to protecting herds both large and small. Whether you raise one pig or one thousand, this episode delivers the essential knowledge every producer needs to help keep our pigs healthy, our farms strong, and our bacon safe.

• Learn more about Dr. Nolting
  https://vet.osu.edu/people/jacqueline-nolting
• Learn more about the Swientist Program
  https://vet.osu.edu/departments-offices/veterinary-preventive-medicine/swientist
• Learn more about disease transmission in show pigs
  https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6749708/
• Learn more about African Swine Fever
  https://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal-disease/swine/protect-pigs

The University of Maine System (the System) is an equal opportunity institution committed to fostering a nondiscriminatory environment and complying with all applicable nondiscrimination laws. Consistent with State and Federal law, the System does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender, gender identity or expression, ethnicity, national origin, citizenship status, familial status, ancestry, age, disability (physical or mental), genetic information, pregnancy, or veteran or military status in any aspect of its education, programs and activities, and employment. The System provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. If you believe you have experienced discrimination or harassment, you are encouraged to contact the System Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX Services at 5713 Chadbourne Hall, Room 412, Orono, ME 04469-5713, by calling 207.581.1226, or via TTY at 711 (Maine Relay System). For more information about Title IX or to file a complaint, please contact the UMS Title IX Coordinator at www.maine.edu/title-ix/.

On this episode of the Maine Farmcast, Dr. Glenda Pereira, Assistant Extension Professor and State Dairy Specialist for the University of Maine Cooperative Extension, has a conversation with Maddy Philbrick who is the Animal Health Livestock Specialist for the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry. Maddy recently attended the Maine Cattle Health Assurance Program (MeCHAP) meeting in November of 2025 and during this episode we highlight what was shared at the meeting. MeCHAP provides livestock and dairy producers with assistance in addressing key animal health risk areas important to their farm, through an objective assessment of on farm conditions and practices, herd risk management plan development and diagnostic testing. Contact Maddy Philbrick by emailing Madison.Philbrick@maine.gov.

• Poultry Education for Backyard Producers (December 15, 2025)
• Learn more about the MeCHAP program

The University of Maine System (the System) is an equal opportunity institution committed to fostering a nondiscriminatory environment and complying with all applicable nondiscrimination laws. Consistent with State and Federal law, the System does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender, gender identity or expression, ethnicity, national origin, citizenship status, familial status, ancestry, age, disability (physical or mental), genetic information, pregnancy, or veteran or military status in any aspect of its education, programs and activities, and employment. The System provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. If you believe you have experienced discrimination or harassment, you are encouraged to contact the System Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX Services at 5713 Chadbourne Hall, Room 412, Orono, ME 04469-5713, by calling 207.581.1226, or via TTY at 711 (Maine Relay System). For more information about Title IX or to file a complaint, please contact the UMS Title IX Coordinator at www.maine.edu/title-ix/.

In this episode of the Maine Farmcast, host Dr. Colt W. Knight sits down with Dr. Jessica C. Lemos Motta, a new faculty member in the University of Maine’s School of Food and Agriculture. Dr. Motta shares her inspiring journey from growing up on small farms in Brazil to becoming a veterinarian, researcher, and now reproductive physiologist in Maine. She reflects on her hands-on experiences with cattle reproduction, her passion for teaching courses like reproductive physiology and dairy management, and her cutting-edge research focused on improving embryo production in dairy cattle.

Listeners will also hear about Dr. Motta’s path through rigorous international training, her perspective on agricultural education, and how Maine farmers can collaborate with her on reproduction-focused research projects. Whether you’re a student, producer, or simply curious about the future of livestock reproduction, this conversation offers unique insights into both the science and the people driving agricultural innovation in Maine.

• Learn more about Dr. Jessica C. Lemos Motta
• Register for Maine Cattlemen’s College
• Learn more about the Maine Beef Producers Association

The University of Maine System (the System) is an equal opportunity institution committed to fostering a nondiscriminatory environment and complying with all applicable nondiscrimination laws. Consistent with State and Federal law, the System does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender, gender identity or expression, ethnicity, national origin, citizenship status, familial status, ancestry, age, disability (physical or mental), genetic information, pregnancy, or veteran or military status in any aspect of its education, programs and activities, and employment. The System provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. If you believe you have experienced discrimination or harassment, you are encouraged to contact the System Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX Services at 5713 Chadbourne Hall, Room 412, Orono, ME 04469-5713, by calling 207.581.1226, or via TTY at 711 (Maine Relay System). For more information about Title IX or to file a complaint, please contact the UMS Title IX Coordinator at www.maine.edu/title-ix/.