About

Karina Mikkelsen 47 years old, married to Jimmy, we have two children aged 20 and 26.

• I have looked after pigs for 21 years, have had many students under my wing, Danish and foreign.
• 10 years with breeding animals and 11 years with production herd.
• I have had stable schools at my workplace, so people came to me and saw mine every day.
• Held lectures at the pig congress in Herning and at the pig congress in Barcelona.

The way I advise:

• The very first thing, which I think is the most important thing in advising others, is that I meet people where they are, then we work from there.
• 1st visit, get an overview of the problem situation, ask about the different work routines.
• Agree on 5 most important things, those things will be put into action.
• 2nd visit follow-up on the last and new measures are implemented.
• It is important that you take a few measures at a time, that way you can keep an overview of things.
• If you lose track of the new initiatives, things will not get done.

I am very much in favor of “hands on” advice, it is in the practical that most people learn best and not the theoretical.

REMEMBER that you are “never stronger than the weakest link” and no one is done learning, incl. myself.

Rikke Strandgaard has been taking care of pigs for 15 years and has worked as a Hands-on advisor for 2 years.

• I have supervised both Danish and international students.
• Good at maintaining an overview and structuring the workday.
• Clear in my training, always with a smile.
• Works continuously and with determination.
• Handling of PRRS in the farrowing unit.

It was never the plan for me to become a farmer. I wanted to work in a zoo, but since there was no apprenticeship available for me at the zoo, I had to choose an alternative.

I have had horses since I was little, and there have always been animals at home.

Starting my apprenticeship in a pig barn was not something I wanted.

But… it became the beginning of the most amazing job.

Working with pigs is such a rewarding job. I love my job; the pigs always put me in a good mood. Seeing how we can make a difference by helping people take care of the pigs in the best possible way brings me so much joy. The success they achieve makes me happy deep inside—to see how they fight every day and get the success they deserve. It makes me proud of our profession and Danish agriculture.