We are kicking off a new season of the PigX Podcast discussing the history of the Pig Livability Project, the current efforts and resources used to share information with the swine industry and how the project is continuing in the months ahead. Joining us on this episode are Dr. David Rosero, assistant professor at Iowa State University, and Dr. Joel DeRouchey, professor and state extension leader at Kansas State University. They will also highlight the upcoming Second International Conference o...
Jun 02, 2025•Season 1Ep. 68
A recent research collaboration between a university and a commercial farm studied 1,500 sows and 22,000 piglets and discovered unexpected findings about the common practice of split suckling. Their research found that this long-standing practice might not be benefiting piglets on day one as much as producers previously thought. Discussing the research are Mikayla Spinler, a graduate research assistant at Kansas State University, and Ashley Hartman, a research coordinator at Pillen Family Farms ...
May 05, 2025•Season 1Ep. 67
The final episode of this month’s special niche production series on the PigX Podcast explores how small-scale producers can take advantage of direct marketing opportunities. Dr. Colt Knight, state livestock specialist at the University of Maine, shares how producers can successfully market and sell their meat directly to consumers. These strategies are not only helpful for pork producers, but they are relevant to anyone with an entrepreneurial mindset. This episode highlights many consideration...
Apr 28, 2025•Season 1Ep. 66
This week’s third episode of this month’s special mini-series focused on niche production, we are focusing on the importance of protein in swine nutrition. This week, we hear from Dr. Laura Greiner, director of the Iowa Pork Industry Center and an associate professor of animal science at Iowa State University. Dr. Greiner shares insights from her research, discusses the reasons behind variations in protein levels and breaks down key nutritional concepts, acknowledging that swine nutrition can so...
Apr 21, 2025•Season 1Ep. 65
Episode two of our four-part special series this month features a thoughtful conversation on whether form matters when comparing energy and fiber. We also explore alternative swine production systems, including what our guest believes to be the only certified organic swine facility in the nation. Dr. Lee Johnston, professor of swine nutrition and management at the University of Minnesota, dives into topics like energy sources, ingredient density and how hay can play a role in a producer’s operat...
Apr 14, 2025•Season 1Ep. 64
Kicking off our four-part special series this month, we delve into the results of a recent survey and focus group from the World Pork Expo, highlighting opportunities to expand education for pork producers and veterinarians. Joining us is Casey Zangaro, a Swine Production Extension Educator from Michigan State University. Tune in to learn where the biggest educational gaps are, what resources are currently available and how a National Pork Board grant is helping to bridge those gaps.
Apr 07, 2025•Season 1Ep. 63
This month on the PigX Podcast, we explore the research and insights from two producers on the advantages of maintaining clean market hauling equipment, including the financial considerations. Beyond the overall benefits to swine health, we discuss best practices implemented by these companies and the country of Denmark, strategies for introducing the proposition and methods for measuring the return on investment, in addition to much more. Joining us in today’s episode are Dr. Edison Magalhaes, ...
Mar 03, 2025•Season 1Ep. 62
In this month’s PigX episode, we look into research to identify the health status of pigs - especially for PRRS – utilizing key performance indicators. Researchers have developed a formula to help detect diseases earlier, offering a tool that facilitates faster and potentially more cost-effective data analysis compared to investing in additional farm technologies. Joining us from Iowa State University are Drs. Gustavo Silva, an assistant professor in Veterinary Diagnostic and Production Animal M...
Feb 03, 2025•Season 1Ep. 61
This month on the PigX Podcast, we dive into key considerations for adopting technology in managing livestock. From research insights to practical applications, we explore how technology can enhance farm operations. Our guest, Dr. Isabella Condotta, an assistant professor at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, shares her expertise on the intersection of technology and livestock management. While many farms have begun integrating these tools, others are still weighing their options. T...
Jan 06, 2025•Season 1Ep. 60
In this episode of the PigX Podcast, we hear the specifics of POP and discuss actionable ways breeders and producers can take to mitigate the condition. The conversation dives into how nutrition, management and other contributing factors can play part of the solution in addition to research contributions. Joining us are Dr. Jenelle Dunkelberger, a geneticist with Topigs Norsvin, and Dr. Jack Dekkers, a distinguished professor of animal breeding and genetics at Iowa State University. Additionally...
Dec 02, 2024•Season 1Ep. 59
NBAF, located in Manhattan, Kansas, succeeds the Plum Island Animal Disease Center in New York, which has been a cornerstone in protecting American agriculture. In this episode, we explore how the facility is set to enhance the nation’s biosecurity and unique additions to make a positive impact on the swine industry. We’ll hear from key stakeholders who played a role in bringing NBAF to the Midwest, including Dr. Chad Mire, research leader for foreign arthropod-borne animal disease research unit...
Nov 04, 2024•Season 1Ep. 58
The U.S. is on track for its second-highest pork production ever and has recently become the largest exporter of pork. There's growing optimism for American pork producers, and Jessica Spreitzer, Director of Trade Analysis at the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF), explains the reasons behind this continued growth. Currently, a record 31% of U.S. pork and variety production is being exported. Spreitzer will also discuss rising imports across global markets, emerging opportunities, an update abo...
Oct 21, 2024•Season 1Ep. 57
The Veterinary Diagnostic Lab at Iowa State University focuses on answering important "how" and "why" questions for veterinarians, producers, and swine industry professionals. In this episode, Dr. Marcelo Almeida, an assistant professor with a PhD, Master's, and DVM in swine health, shares his expertise. He will discuss recent trends in swine health diagnostics, the diseases his team is currently studying and the future direction of their research. Dr. Almeida will also explain how he hopes vete...
Oct 07, 2024•Season 1Ep. 56
It takes up to two years for employees from outside of the country to receive their green card, but the upcoming election may have an impact on the timeline and opportunities for foreign labor. Agriculture, including many swine organizations and companies, rely on help beyond the United States borders. Rachel Beardsley, partner and immigration attorney at Fragomen provides the potential effects on visas from November's presidential election, what she’s recommending to clients currently and the v...
Sep 09, 2024•Season 1Ep. 55
Completing our two-part mini-series, we are welcoming back Dr. Jordan Gebhardt of Kansas State University and Ph.D. student Larissa Becker to explore the topic of phosphorus and calcium requirements for gestating and lactating sows. In this episode, we will dive into Larissa's literature review, along with the key takeaways she discovered in the process!
Aug 05, 2024•Season 1Ep. 54
In this two-part mini-series, we will investigate both swine bone mineralization and calcium and phosphorus requirements for gestating and lactating sows. Focusing on the prior for this episode, we will be highlighting research conducted by Dr. Jordan Gebhardt of Kansas State University. Ph.D. student Larissa Becker will then begin to give us insight into the research she is conducting.
Jul 01, 2024•Season 1Ep. 53
Welcome to season five, episode one, of the PigX Podcast! We have an exciting season ahead, so to kick it off, we brought Janae Metzger and Stacie Matchan as this month's guests. Janae discusses her presentation from the 2023 Iowa Swine Day Event on establishing a winning culture on the farm. Stacie touches on both the history of this event and what attendees should look forward to for the 2024 Iowa Swine Day. Be sure to listen to learn about all things described here and so much more!
Jun 03, 2024•Season 1Ep. 52
For the May edition of the PigX Podcast, joining us is Kate Dion, a PostDoc Research Associate at Iowa State University, and Dr. Derald Holkamp, a professor in Veterinary Preventative Medicine with a focus on biosecurity. Throughout this episode, we will take a deep dive into the Standardized Outbreak Investigation Program they are developing, including how it will be used, why it is necessary, the timeline for adopting this new program, and so much more.
May 06, 2024•Season 1Ep. 51
Joining the PigX Podcast this month is Jack Bobo, the director of Global Food and Water Policy at one of the world’s largest conservation organizations, the Nature Conservancy. Jack will be discussing his Iowa Swine Day presentation that covered the future of animal agriculture. In the second half of this episode, Dan Bussieres, who is the co-founder of and swine nutritionist for Group Ceres Inc., joins to chat about the topic of the Canadian pork production system, which he highlighted at Iowa ...
Apr 01, 2024•Season 1Ep. 50
Giovani Trevisan, Guilherme A Cezar, and Daniel Linhares, three swine industry specialists, join the PigX Podcast this month to discuss the Swine Disease Reporting System (SDRS). Throughout this episode, we touch on topics including the research this team is conducting on SDRS, tools that are available for veterinarians and producers on this matter, and so much more.
Mar 04, 2024•Season 1Ep. 49
Joining the PigX Podcast for February are Dr. Chris Rademacher, a Clinical Associate Professor and Swine Extension Veterinarian at Iowa State University, to help lead the discussion with Dr. Tom Petznick, a vet owner and veterinarian at ARK-CARE. The focus throughout this month is on the Porcine Sapovirus but, more specifically, the history of PSaV, where we are currently at in our PSaV research, and where we see this virus heading in the future.
Feb 05, 2024•Season 1Ep. 48
This month, longtime friend of the podcast, Matt Romoser, a swine field specialist for Iowa State University, along with a new voice for our listeners, Derek Henningsen, who is the gilt flow manager for JBS Live Pork, join us for an in-depth chat on many topics. For this episode, we explore the importance of gilt selection and sow longevity, but more specifically, how factors such as foot health, nutrition, the environment, and diseases impact longevity over time.
Jan 08, 2024•Season 1Ep. 47
Becca Walthart and Gabi Doughan, two Iowa State University graduate students, join the PigX Podcast for the month to discuss water biology and water quality. Throughout the episode, we touch on a wide array of water-related subjects, including why we should care about its biology, how to tell if there are issues with the quality of your water, and what to do if you encounter those issues.
Dec 04, 2023•Season 1Ep. 46
Joining the PigX Podcast this month are Dr. Chris Rademacher, a Swine Extension Veterinarian and the AssociateDirector for the Iowa Pork Industry Center, and Dr. Daniel Linhares, an Associate Professor and theDirector of Graduate Education for Iowa State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine. Take a listen to hear Chris and Daniel discussing past outbreak management programs for the PRRS virus.
Nov 06, 2023•Season 1Ep. 45
Peering into two conversations from the 2023 Iowa Swine Day, we are featuring a chat with Dr. Jordan Graham, a veterinarian for the Swine Vet Center, discussing swine biosecurity. Later into the episode, we begin a discussion with Dr. Dusty Oedekoven, Chief Veterinarian for the National Pork Board, who is looking into Foreign Animal Diseases, or more specifically, the successes and failures of African Swine Fever.
Oct 02, 2023•Season 1Ep. 44
Matt Romoser, Swine Extension Specialist, and Dr. Spenser Becker, Nutritionist at AB Vista, discuss all things related to gilt nutrition. Take a listen to the September episode of the PigX Podcast to learn about setting realistic gilt development nutrition goals, nutritional strategies, and more!
Sep 11, 2023•Season 1Ep. 43
Shane McAuliffe of McAuliffe Pig Farms & Munster Technological University in Ireland, along with Tom Battagliese, Senior Manager of Global Sustainability Metrics for BASF in New Jersey, join us this month to discuss the topic of sustainability in the industry.
Aug 07, 2023•Season 1Ep. 42
To jump into July, we are looking into two important topics for the swine industry: gilt eligibility and sow longevity. Jennifer Patterson, Research Associate with the University of Alberta, and Matt Romoser, Swine Extension Specialist with Iowa State University, offer us deeper insights on this topic.
Jul 10, 2023•Season 1Ep. 41
Kicking off Season 4 with a great topic looking at a parallel grant, the PROSPER Grant. Spearheaded by Dr. Daniel Linhares and Edison Magalhaes, the PROSPER Grant is focused on how to integrate data more efficiently into swine production systems.
Jun 05, 2023•Season 1Ep. 40
Joining the PigX Podcast this month to discuss in utero heat stress are Dr. Jason Ross, Animal Science Department Chair and the Lloyd Anderson Endowed Professor at Iowa State University, along with Dr. Lance Baumgard, Jacobson Endowed Professor and a Distinguished Professor at Iowa State University.
May 01, 2023•Season 1Ep. 39
