NEWS

Birthing experience teaches Waupun students lessons for a lifetime

Colleen Kottke
Wisconsin State Farmer
The litter of 10 piglets in Tari Costello's animal laboratory have become the talk of Waupun High School.
The litter of 10 piglets in Tari Costello's animal laboratory have become the talk of Waupun High School.
Colleen Kottke/Wisconsin State Farmer
Tia the sow rests comfortably in her farrowing crate after delivering a dozen piglets at Waupun High School.
Tia the sow rests comfortably in her farrowing crate after delivering a dozen piglets at Waupun High School.
Tari Costello
Amber Duscheck draws out liquid iron into a syringe that will be injected into a piglet to correct the development of iron deficiency that leads to anemia.
Amber Duscheck draws out liquid iron into a syringe that will be injected into a piglet to correct the development of iron deficiency that leads to anemia.
Colleen Kottke/Wisconsin State Farmer
Crossbred Hampshire littermates nose around for a snack while their mother, Tia, rests.
Crossbred Hampshire littermates nose around for a snack while their mother, Tia, rests.
Colleen Kottke/Wisconsin State Farmer
Norah Ganske assists in the delivery of piglets.
Norah Ganske assists in the delivery of piglets.
Tari Costello
Serena Freriks and her classmates clean out the pen holding the 10 piglets and their mother during the opening minutes of the Large Animal Science class at Waupun High School.
Serena Freriks and her classmates clean out the pen holding the 10 piglets and their mother during the opening minutes of the Large Animal Science class at Waupun High School.
Colleen Kottke/Wisconsin State Farmer
Students assist in ear notching the litter of piglets. The task is done for the purpose of identification.
Students assist in ear notching the litter of piglets. The task is done for the purpose of identification.
Tari Costello
The litter of crossbred Hampshire piglets are back to nursing soon after receiving their iron shots.
The litter of crossbred Hampshire piglets are back to nursing soon after receiving their iron shots.
Colleen Kottke/Wisconsin State Farmer
Jason Ganske prepares to give his daughter, Norah Ganske's sow, Tia, an injection.
Jason Ganske prepares to give his daughter, Norah Ganske's sow, Tia, an injection.
Colleen Kottke/Wisconsin State Farmer
Waupun ag educator and FFA advisor Tari Costello, left, watches as students find the injection site on newborn piglets during the Large Animal Science class.
Waupun ag educator and FFA advisor Tari Costello, left, watches as students find the injection site on newborn piglets during the Large Animal Science class.
Colleen Kottke/Wisconsin State Farmer
Vanessa Witthun is all smiles as she tends to her newborn piglet shortly after its birth.
Vanessa Witthun is all smiles as she tends to her newborn piglet shortly after its birth.
Tari Costello
Brooke Schultz, left, and Hannah Loomans enjoy the piglets despite their loud squeals.
Brooke Schultz, left, and Hannah Loomans enjoy the piglets despite their loud squeals.
Colleen Kottke/Wisconsin State Farmer
Over half of the student body at Waupun High School have stopped by to visit the newborn piglets in the Ag Department's animal lab, where they learn about the babies and the mother.
Over half of the student body at Waupun High School have stopped by to visit the newborn piglets in the Ag Department's animal lab, where they learn about the babies and the mother.
Colleen Kottke/Wisconsin State Farmer
Staff and students gather in the large animal lab, waiting for Tia the sow to deliver her piglets.
Staff and students gather in the large animal lab, waiting for Tia the sow to deliver her piglets.
Courtesy Of Tari Costello
Serena Freriks, left, opens the piglet's mouth while her classmate clips the animal's "needle" teeth shortly after its birth. The teeth are very sharp and can cause injury to the sow's udder and teats.
Serena Freriks, left, opens the piglet's mouth while her classmate clips the animal's "needle" teeth shortly after its birth. The teeth are very sharp and can cause injury to the sow's udder and teats.
Tari Costello
Mikayla Bruene cleans out the pen where two Boer goats reside in the Large Animal Science classroom lab.
Mikayla Bruene cleans out the pen where two Boer goats reside in the Large Animal Science classroom lab.
Colleen Kottke/Wisconsin State Farmer
Jason Ganske, foreground, helps members of the Waupun High School Large Animal Science class assemble the pen where Norah Ganske's sow will reside until delivering her litter of piglets.
Jason Ganske, foreground, helps members of the Waupun High School Large Animal Science class assemble the pen where Norah Ganske's sow will reside until delivering her litter of piglets.
Tari Costello
Brianna Asmus dries off a newborn piglet shortly after it was delivered.
Brianna Asmus dries off a newborn piglet shortly after it was delivered.
Courtesy Tari Costello
Members of Tari Costello's Large Animal Science class, from left, Brooke Schultz, Hannah Loomans, Selena Garibo (kneeling), Jennifer Schatz, Norah Ganske, Brianna Asmus, Vanessa Witthun, Mikayla Bruene, Mackenzie Rahn, Serena Freriks, Makenna Kunz and Amber Duscheck, show off a litter of newborn pigs that were born in the classroom.
Members of Tari Costello's Large Animal Science class, from left, Brooke Schultz, Hannah Loomans, Selena Garibo (kneeling), Jennifer Schatz, Norah Ganske, Brianna Asmus, Vanessa Witthun, Mikayla Bruene, Mackenzie Rahn, Serena Freriks, Makenna Kunz and Amber Duscheck, show off a litter of newborn pigs that were born in the classroom.
Colleen Kottke/Wisconsin State Farmer