Sustainable Animal Ag Study Group
SAA Study Group is a community of experts and enthusiasts who are passionate about promoting sustainable practices in animal agriculture. Join us to learn about the latest research and innovations in the field.
About us
At SAA, we believe that sustainable animal agriculture is key to ensuring a healthy and equitable future for both people and animals. By bringing together experts and practitioners worldwide, we aim to create a space for critical dialogue and knowledge-sharing about the challenges and opportunities facing the livestock industry. Join us on this journey towards a more sustainable and just food system!
The Sustainable Animal Agriculture Study Group (SAA) was created by Bianca Costa and Miguel Suazo, graduate students at the Department of Animal Sciences, University of Minnesota, St. Paul campus.
Mentors: Dr. Pedro Urriola and Dr. Marcia Endres
Scientific Discussions
Photo: Discussion on Climate Change, presented by graduate student Miguel Suazo .
Field Days
Photo: Visit to learn agroecological management of beef cattle and chicken.
Foggy Ridge Farm, WI
Photo: Guest lecture
Dr. Yoana Newman, UW- River-Falls, gave a lecture on the use of cover crops in livestock systems.
SEE ALL PAST ACTIVITIES HERE
Sustainable Animal Agriculture Study Group - SAA
FALL 2023
International Online Series of Lectures in Livestock Sustainability
October 9, Monday, 2 pm - 3 pm
Sustainability in Organic Swine Production
Dr. Yuzhi Li, WCROC-University of Minnesota, USA
October 17, Tuesday, 3 pm - 4 pm
Organic Dairy Farming Constraints and Prospects in the European Context with a Focus on Antibiotic Use
Dr. Isabel Blanco-Penedo, University of Lleida, Spain
October 30,
October 30, Monday, 12 pm – 1 pm
Tracking Livestock Sustainability: How do we standardize without overburdening producers?
Connor McCabe, University of California -Davis, USA
November 13, Monday 12 pm - 1 pm
Nutritional and Management Strategies to Improve the Sustainability of the Beef Industry
Dr. Pedro Carvalho, Colorado State University, USA
November 27, Monday, 1 pm – 2 pm
Regenerative Grazing
Dr. Said Hamido, Rodale Institute, USA
December 4, Monday, 12 pm – 1 pm
Circular Economy and Poultry Production
Helen Pluschke, Thünen Institute, Germany
SUMMER 2023
FIELD DAYS
July 6 - Visit to Restoravore and Prairie Moon Nursery, Winona, MN
Visit to the Project Restorave that aims to use grazing animals to help restore natural ecosystems of the Bluff Country in the Southeast of Minnesota. The group also visited the Prairie Moon Nursery, one of the most important producers and sellers of native seeds in the USA.
June 13 - Visit to Foggy Ridge Farm, WI
A small-scale farm in Ridgeland, WI, operates a direct market business, raising organic-fed pasture-raised beef and chicken.
SPRING 2023
April17, 12 pm - 1 pm
Cover crops and Livestock
Dr. Yoana Newman, University of Wisconsin
April 3rd, 12 pm - 1 pm
Paper discussion: "Review: Trends for meat, milk and egg consumption for the next decadesand the role played by livestock systems in the global production of proteins"
March 20, 12 pm - 1 pm
Climate Change and Animal Farming
Miguel Suazo, Department of Animal Science - University of Minnesota, USA.
March 18, 10 am - 3 pm, Osseo, WI
SAA students attended the West Central WI Spring Grazing Conference.
February 27, Monday 2 pm - 3 pm
Manure to Improve Soil Health (Journal Club)
February 20, Monday, 12 pm - 1 pm
Group discussion on several reading materials on the topic: Interconnections between soil and animal health
February 6, Monday 12 - 1pm
Sustainability and Animal Farming
January 23, Monday 12 pm - 1pm
Introduction and scope of the group
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