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Growing up on a row crop and swine operation in Süderbrarup, Germany, Chelsea Cordsen developed an early interest in agriculture. Now finishing her bachelor’s degree in sustainable agriculture at Kiel University of Applied Sciences in Kiel, Germany, Cordsen completed a 16-week internship that took her to three countries to learn about swine production around the world — including some time at South Dakota State University.

First, she spent 10 weeks with Schweine Spezial Beratung Schleswig-Holstein, which is a swine consulting company based in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany. There, she accompanied consultants on farm visits where they conducted animal welfare checks, among other tasks.

She then spent three weeks on a 120-head sow farm in Switzerland, where she experienced free farrowing and group nursing — production practices that differ from those she is used to.

The final three weeks of her internship brought her to SDSU.

"I wanted to do three weeks in the U.S. to get an insight into the swine industry and see how the barns and systems work here," she said.

The three weeks Cordsen spent at SDSU expanded her understanding of U.S. swine production. She got to see inside SDSU’s swine facilities, where she was able to help breed gilts for a research trial and assist with daily chores. She also spent a few days at the SDSU Feed Processing Research Unit, where she learned about feed mill operations and helped prepare diets for research trials. During her final week, Cordsen worked at Odegaard Family Farms near Lake Preston.

Through these hands-on experiences, Cordsen was able to compare swine production practices in the U.S. with those she has seen in Germany and Switzerland.

"The farms here (U.S.) are much more precise with how they formulate rations," she said. "They mix in their own amino acids and adjust diets on-site. In Germany, we usually buy one premix that already contains the minerals, amino acids and everything else."

While SDSU gave Cordsen the opportunity to see swine production from a new perspective, it also brought her back to a place that had long been part of her family’s story.

Her grandparents, Doug and Mary Pettigrew of Wetonka, and her uncle are SDSU alumni. Her mother, Erin Cordsen (Pettigrew), also graduated from SDSU in 1995 with degrees in animal science and agricultural journalism.

Through her animal science coursework, Cordsen’s mother (Erin) was taught by Bob Thaler, distinguished professor and SDSU Extension swine specialist. Nearly 30 years later, that connection allowed Cordsen to complete her internship at SDSU while learning from the same professor who once taught her mother.

“Dr. Thaler was good at setting this up and getting me some of the opportunities to see a few different production systems,” she said. “I am very grateful to have gained insight into the many aspects of U.S. swine production through the mix of experiences I had."

As she prepares to return home and finish her degree, Cordsen looks forward to applying what she learned through her internship to her future career. She plans to pursue a master’s degree before eventually returning to her family's farm or exploring other opportunities within the swine industry.