PigX

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 on Pig Livability, taking place on November 5–6 in Omaha, Nebraska. For more details about the conference, visit https://piglivability.org/2025-conference. For project updates and additional resources, visit www.piglivability.org.

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 and DNA Genetics. The two discuss how the research was chosen, conducted and next steps on today’s episode.

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 considerations for building a supportive community, boosting sales and how embracing creativity can make a big impact.

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 sometimes be confusing for producers.

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 operation.

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.

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, assistant professor at Iowa State University, Dr. Pete Thomas, director of health services at Iowa Select Farms and Dr. Tyler Bauman, herd veterinarian with The Maschhoffs.

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 Medicine, and Mafalda Mil-Homens, a PhD student and veterinarian. They share insights from their global experiences and how these have influenced their work in the Midwest swine industry.

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. Tune in to this episode for insights to help you make informed decisions about implementing and maintaining technology on your farm with the resources you have.

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, we highlight research contributions from Ph.D. student Vishesh Bhatia, shedding light on the latest developments in understanding and preventing POP. Tune in to this informative discussion, marking it the final episode of 2024!