What happens when the fascinating world of social dynamics collides with genetics and genomic sciences? Get ready for an enlightening journey with our guest, Andrea Luttman, as she unravels the intricate layers of social stress in sows and its profound effects on their offspring's behavior and welfare. In our conversation, she dissects the role of specific genes in stress regulation and the challenges of reducing stress in group-housed animals. She highlights how understanding the molecular leve...
Nov 08, 2023•26 min•Season 3Ep. 222
Each year, the US swine industry faces significant revenue losses due to heat stress in pigs. This stress manifests in various ways, from visible behavioral shifts like increased panting and seeking cool surfaces, to more covert internal disruptions affecting their health and overall functioning. In this episode, Dr. Joshua Selsby unpacks the physiological and economic ripple effects of heat stress on the swine industry. He also sheds light on potential solutions and the future direction of rese...
Oct 30, 2023•49 min•Season 3Ep. 221
Research on memory immune responses in pigs can facilitate the development of vaccines and intervention strategies for porcine and human diseases. Dr. Tobias Kaeser, a brilliant mind on this field. has spent almost a decade studying pigs' T cells and adaptive immune responses to understand their immunity better. So, in this episode, Dr. Kaeser discusses his research on identifying immune correlates of protection against PRRSv, developing vaccines against Chlamydia trachomatis, and using swine as...
Oct 23, 2023•28 min•Season 3Ep. 220
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 an...
Oct 17, 2023•1 hr 2 min•Season 3Ep. 219
Worldwide, veterinarians and producers face the ongoing challenge of managing diseases within swine herds. Considering the multitude of diseases, their nuances, and their threat to swine health and productivity, prevention and management strategies must be carefully considered. In this episode, Dr. Brenton Sexton shines the spotlight on disease management strategies in swine farming. He discusses the foundational principles of disease prevention, effective vaccine implementation, and practical s...
Oct 09, 2023•37 min•Season 3Ep. 218
In this episode, Adam Walters shares his switch back to pig farming, his rise to becoming the Finishing Manager at Tosh Farms, and the changes he's witnessed and guided in pig farming practices. He discusses the essential value of fostering strong relationships, emphasizing the persisting importance of people in every industry, and underlines the significance of efficient biosecurity measures and the need for adaptable protocols. Listen as he details the transition from traditional farming metho...
Oct 02, 2023•42 min•Season 3Ep. 217
Understanding a business's culture, style, and potential bottlenecks is critical to making informed decisions, especially in such dynamic businesses as swine. Early identification of a company's comfort level is crucial in decision-making processes. During this episode, Dr. Steve Kitt discusses his enriching experience working with a significant industry player. Through his remarkable journey filled with lessons about resilience and innovation, he discusses strategic decision-making, leadership,...
Sep 26, 2023•35 min•Season 3Ep. 216
In today's stimulating conversation, we are pleased to welcome the experienced and insightful Dr. Robert van Barneveld, Group CEO of SunPork. SunPork, as the largest pork producer in Australia, holds a unique position in the global market and provides us with an enlightening perspective on the current state of swine production in the country. While Australia's swine production methods significantly differ from other countries, our conversation heartedly revolves around these differences contribu...
Sep 18, 2023•41 min•Season 3Ep. 215
That's my first episode as one of the hosts for The Swine It Podcast Show, and to celebrate that, I had an exciting talk with Dr Alexa Lamm. Dr. Lamm shares her insights on how she helps address public concerns related to food production and environmental issues. Much of today's episode will delve into the workings and mission of the Real Pork Trust Consortium, which has emerged as a catalyst in bridging the gap between the public and the pork industry. As part of a robust research and training ...
Sep 11, 2023•35 min•Season 3Ep. 214
Swine feed formulations are often optimized to contain the right balance of corn, soybean meal, and supplements in order to meet the animals' nutritional needs at the lowest cost. It may be possible to find even greater opportunities by incorporating alternative feedstuffs beyond these traditional ingredients. Casey Shaw, an expert in swine nutrition and formulation, discusses how feed utilizes more byproducts and alternative ingredients as it has evolved rapidly. He shares insights on how the s...
Sep 04, 2023•53 min•Season 3Ep. 213
Sustainability has emerged as a significant topic of discussion in the realm of pig production over the last few years. It's clear that it plays a crucial role in guiding the industry's efforts to enhance both the environmental and financial viability of operations. To this end, I engaged in an insightful discussion with Jamie Burr, Chief Sustainability Officer of the National Pork Board, who contributes with years of experience and expertise to the field. For Burr, sustainability is a continuou...
Aug 29, 2023•35 min•Season 3Ep. 212
Are you a veterinary student intrigued by the swine industry? In this episode, I invite you to explore pivotal insights to excel in this field. My conversation with Brooke Kitting, M.Sc., illuminates the journey of a swine veterinarian transitioning from academia to the professional world. Brooke's journey embodies dedication, resilience, and tenacity - an example aspirational swine veterinarians can emulate. Her story provides a glimpse into life within the swine industry, with challenges and r...
Aug 21, 2023•37 min•Season 3Ep. 211
In a globalized world, trading animal genetics across borders is common and beneficial for economic growth and the development of animal breeds within the swine industry. Understanding the intricacies of livestock import and export is now more valuable than ever. To discuss this matter, I had a great conversation with Tony Clayton, who shared insights about his journey of over 32 years in the field, exporting breeding swine, beef cattle, dairy cattle, horses, hogs, sheep, and goats to over 65 co...
Aug 15, 2023•31 min•Season 3Ep. 210
Have you ever heard about the term "One Health"? As one of the key strategies of the swine industry, the "One Health Approach" offers a broad, integrative framework for dealing with complex issues that intersect numerous fields, enhancing human and animal health, and promoting environmental stability. In today's episode, I talk to Dr. Heather Fowler, the director of producer and public health for the National Pork Board. Our conversation revolves around the vital role of the One Health Approach ...
Aug 07, 2023•33 min•Season 3Ep. 209
Formulating and delivering the perfect feed is crucial for herd health, growth, and profitability in the swine industry. Feed pelleting – transforming raw ingredients into compact pellets – plays a vital role in this process, offering numerous benefits that resonate throughout swine production. In this episode, I have insightful discussions with experts in the field, Dr. Caitilin Evans and Paul Steen, exploring the conditioning process, extrusion, and the delicate balance between nutrition and p...
Aug 01, 2023•36 min•Season 3Ep. 208
As technology advances and software becomes more integrated into farming, the need for professionals who can bridge the gap between these two worlds is growing. Josefine Tulinius, M.Sc., is one such professional, as she works in the dynamic world of IT applied in management systems for pig production. Since Tulinius's role is to help computer scientists understand the needs of animal experts and vice versa, she plays a fascinating and essential role in ensuring that the latest technologies are u...
Jul 25, 2023•36 min•Season 3Ep. 207
In the ever-evolving world of the swine industry, addressing the needs of both producers and animals at each stage is paramount. From gestation crates to group housing, challenges arise in managing swine effectively. To shed light on it, I talk to Dr. Tami Brown-Brandl, an expert in Biological Systems Engineering applied to Animal Sciences. We discuss the technological solutions that are necessary for successful animal management in the future; research on technology applied to diseases detectio...
Jul 18, 2023•40 min•Season 2Ep. 206
Understanding the risk factors for virus transmission associated with feed and its ingredients is vital in the swine industry. Since viral diseases pose a significant threat to swine herds, it is necessary to have effective intervention strategies and robust biosecurity measures. To shed light on these matters, I talk with Dr. Scott Dee, a renowned expert in swine disease management. He emphasizes the importance of feed and its ingredients in disease transmission and highlights the critical prio...
Jul 11, 2023•41 min•Season 3Ep. 205
During the summer months, when it gets hot outside, pig feed intake may decrease, but their requirements do not. Therefore, there are all sorts of strategies out there to try and get more nutrients into the diet without increasing costs too much. In this episode, I talk with Dr. Maria Mendoza about amino acid ratios we should consider when feed intake diminishes, as well as energy levels and soybean inclusions we should keep an eye on during those times. “Increasing the methionine level of your ...
Jul 03, 2023•34 min•Season 3Ep. 204
Caretakers are the backbone of swine welfare. Because they interact with the animals throughout the whole day and make sure their needs are met, they are key to the well-being of the pigs. To emphasize and shed light on these matters, I talk to Dr. Anna Johnson, an esteemed expert in animal welfare. Dr. Johnson discusses the indispensable role of the caretaker in the swine industry, highlighting the significance of proper training and the value of technology, whose purpose is to assist rather th...
Jun 27, 2023•35 min•Season 3Ep. 203
Porcine Astrovirus (PoAstV) is a non-enveloped RNA virus that belongs to the Astroviridae family and encompasses at least five distinct lineages with significant genetic variability. Besides being primarily associated with mild, self-limiting secretory diarrhea in swine, with young pigs being most susceptible, the variant Porcine Astrovirus 4 (PoAstV4) has been recently identified in the respiratory tract of pigs. To shed light on the implications and nature of its variability, I interview Drs. ...
Jun 20, 2023•41 min•Season 3Ep. 202
Technology plays a crucial role on swine farms, as it enables us to enhance production efficiency and manageability by providing access to diverse data and digital tools designed to improve animal management. In other words, it allows us to effectively control our processes, better utilize our resources, stay well-informed about farm activities, and even predict future events. To gain insights into this topic, I have a conversation with Bogdan Samoylenko, M.Sc., about the implementation of techn...
Jun 12, 2023•40 min•Season 3Ep. 201
Welcome to our 200th episode!! Time flies, right? To celebrate this history, we have invited Dr. Trey Kellner as our guest to share his experiences and answer questions about the daily routine of a swine nutritionist. As we all well know, swine nutritionists have an important role to play and contribute a lot to our industry by optimizing pig diets, improving feed efficiency, and enhancing pork production quality. They are also key to advancing our sustainability strategies by reducing feed wast...
Jun 06, 2023•47 min•Season 2Ep. 200
Have you ever heard about bacteriophages and how they can benefit the swine industry? To sum it up, bacteriophages are specialized viruses that possess the ability to infect and destroy bacteria, thus playing a crucial role in combating pathogens and promoting food safety. In this episode, I have a great conversation with Dr. Siroj Pokharel, who has built an outstanding career on researching them. He guides us through the world of bacteriophages and explores their applications, especially on por...
May 30, 2023•31 min•Season 2Ep. 199
Managing a team depends on having the fundamental skill of leading and coordinating individuals with diverse abilities, personalities, and work styles in order to achieve common goals. Nowadays, that is especially sensitive in the swine industry, as we are going through a labor shortage. In this episode, I have a great conversation about strategies and practices to adapt management to changes and team growth with Anthony Vigilante, M.Sc., who has years of experience with team and manager develop...
May 22, 2023•40 min•Season 2Ep. 198
Have you ever heard about Guanidinoacetic Acid (GAA) and its benefits to swine performance? As an essential precursor in creatine synthesis, GAA contributes to the development of muscles, the metabolism of energy, and the maintenance of amino acid metabolism. With that in mind, understanding the strategic use of GAA in swine feeding is critical to optimize feed efficiency, promote healthy weight gain, and ensure high-quality pork products. To discuss that, I have a conversation with Dr. Balachan...
May 16, 2023•29 min•Season 2Ep. 197
Nursery is one of the most critical stages in any production system, since starting pigs off in the right direction is crucial for maintaining their good performance throughout their entire lives. However, as we all know, there are some challenges when it comes to nursery management, including high occurrences of diarrhea and piglet stress. In this episode, I have a great conversation with Dr. Christine Mainquist-Whigham, a swine veterinarian working in a commercial system. She shares her perspe...
May 09, 2023•33 min•Season 2Ep. 196
We all know there is a lot going on inside our pig production systems: feeding the pigs and keeping them healthy, abiding to biosecurity protocols, managing people, collecting data, and sending high-quality products to the market by the end of the day. However, the question is: do the consumers and the general public really know that? In this week's episode, I have the pleasure of talking with Jeanette Merritt, the current Director of Communications at Indiana Pork and a 4th-generation pork prod...
May 02, 2023•34 min•Season 2Ep. 195
Over the last decades, research has shown that selenium plays a critical role in the organism of pigs, especially when the animals are facing stressful events such as weaning, farrowing, and heat stress. However, there are still some misunderstandings about the benefits of selenium and its proper usage, since high levels of the substance in diets can lead to toxicity. In this episode, I have a great conversation with Dr. Darlene Bloxham, a specialist on the subject. She digs into the main questi...
Apr 25, 2023•31 min•Season 2Ep. 194
You probably already know that we are facing a global banking crisis, as it has been widely reported all over the news. However, this is not a recent problem – as a matter of fact, the current situation began in 2008 and has been dragging on since then. The downturn of that period was never fully overcome and the effects of its temporary solutions have now become one of the primary reasons for the financial instability. As important as that may be, can you tell how exactly it affects pork produc...
Apr 18, 2023•40 min•Season 2Ep. 193
