Dr. Billy Flowers: Shaping Swine Longevity | Ep. 219
Episode description
Commercial pork production relies heavily on the longevity of sows and boars and the multiplicity of factors being studied ranges from the birth process of a sow or boar, its growth rate before and after weaning, to its journey until it is delivered to commercial farms. These factors are then correlated with the longevity and productivity of these animals. In this episode, Dr. Billy Flowers shares invaluable insights about various factors influencing the health, longevity, and productivity of animals in the swine industry.
“And it's pretty clear, both in gilts and boars, if they're born bigger and they have a heavier weaning weight, they tend to stay in production longer and be more productive." - Dr. Billy Flowers
What you’ll learn:
- (00:00) Highlight
- (02:45) Introduction
- (05:45) Studying early stages of a gilt and boar's life
- (12:51) Colostrum effects on pigs longevity
- (21:41) Importance of investment in replacement gilt
- (25:24) Gestational feeding and organ development
- (32:19) Impact of gestation housing conditions on offspring development
- (35:47) Long-term effects of heat stress
- (39:54) The evolution of the animal industry
- (44:08) Impact of Dr. Flowers' career
- (50:09) Importance of the feed milling industry
- (54:35) The three final questions
Meet the guest: Dr. William “Billy” Flowers
Experience:
- Current: William Neal Reynolds and Alumni Distinguished Professor of Animal Science at North Carolina State University
Background:
- Ph.D., Animal Sciences (University of Missouri)
- M.Sc., Animal Physiology (University of Missouri)
- B.Sc., Animal Sciences (Virginia Tech)
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