Popular Pig

About the Guests Daniel Linhares, DVM, MBA, PhD –  Professor & Director of Graduate Education at the Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine. Worked for 8 years as a practicing veterinarian, technical services, and health assurance; now he is dedicated to training MSc and PhD students as part of the ISU fieldepi team, working with swine producers and health professionals in the US and abroad. Edison Magalhães, DVM, MBA, MSc, PhD  – Assistant Professor in the Department of Animal Science at Iowa State University. Dr. Edison Magalhaes previously worked for four years in the Brazilian swine industry as a swine veterinarian practitioner. He then pursued his Master’s and PhD in Swine Epidemiology at the Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine. Currently, Dr. Magalhaes leads the SwinalytIQ Lab, a multidisciplinary team composed of undergraduate and graduate students from veterinary medicine, animal science, data science, and computer engineering. His program focuses on research and extension that supports the U.S. and global swine industries by developing data-driven approaches to improve health, productivity, and decision-making, helping producers better utilize their production data. What can you expect to learn from this episode of Popular Pig? You will learn how most grow-finish mortality ties back to conditions and performance in the sow farm. You will learn how integrating siloed data reveals connections between health, environment, and production outcomes. You will learn why weaning age, variation within groups, and early health challenges influence downstream performance. You will learn how barn setup, environment, and basic husbandry practices impact pig survivability early on. You will learn how gilt development and sow farm management set the ceiling for overall system productivity.

About the Guest Dr. Bill Christianson is the former Chief Operating Officer of PIC. He has a background in agriculture and biotechnology, with broad industry knowledge and extensive commercial and global experience. He earned his DVM and PhD in Veterinary Medicine from the University of Minnesota. Dr. Christianson joined PIC in 1993 and held a range of operational roles across Europe, South America, and the United States before becoming General Manager of PIC North America in 2007. He later led the combined ABS and PIC businesses across the Americas starting in 2010 and became COO of Genus PIC in 2012. What can you expect to learn from this episode of Popular Pig? How growing up around a family farm and machinery business led into the swine industry. What it was like working on PRRS during its early discovery and research phase. How large systems approached eliminating PRRS and the time and cost involved. Why taking opportunities before feeling ready can help you grow in your career. Bill “Golden Nugget”

About the Guest Edwina and her husband run Blantyre Farms, a 2,200 sow pig farm and a mixed farm of sheep, cattle and crops, near Young, NSW, Australia. In operation for more than a decade, a methane digestion system captures methane gas from pig manure and converts it into electricity. Blantyre also utilizes food waste products for pig feed and saves 13,500 of tonnes of landfill each year. The NSW EPA has awarded Blantyre with a Green Globe Award for Resource Efficiency. What can you expect to learn from this episode of Popular Pig? How a family pig farm in Australia grew from a small farrow-to-finish operation into a much larger sow farm over time. How using liquid feeding and food waste products can help reduce feed costs and create new opportunities on a pig farm. How capturing methane from pig manure can generate electricity and lower energy costs on the farm. How pig producers in Australia are dealing with activist pressure and protecting their farms and teams. Edwina’s “Golden Nugget”

About the Guest What began as a spontaneous job application became a lifelong commitment to protecting animals across New South Wales and supporting some of the state’s most underserved and marginalized communities. Throughout his career, Steve has developed a deep understanding of human behavior and an exceptional ability to inspire people to take meaningful action. His experience across animal welfare, government relations and the justice system has shaped his insight into what drives individuals, organizations and communities. As CEO, Steve leads the largest animal welfare organization in Australia with authenticity, integrity and a clear strategic vision — creating the conditions for lasting, impactful change. What can you expect to learn from this episode of Popular Pig? The difference between animal welfare and animal rights — and why the pork industry needs to understand that distinction. Why communication and working with producers often leads to better animal welfare outcomes than enforcement alone. How real farm constraints influence decisions around housing systems like farrowing crates. Why consumer expectations, economics, and welfare improvements are closely connected in pork production. Steve’s “Golden Nugget”

About the Guest Dr. Dustin Oedekoven is the chief veterinarian for the National Pork Board, based in Des Moines, Iowa. In this role, Dr. Oedekoven leads a team of veterinarians and swine production experts in Pork Checkoff-funded work for pork producers, including foreign animal disease (FAD) preparedness, protecting the U.S. herd from African swine fever and developing a national swine health strategy. Dr. Oedekoven has over 20 years of experience in the agriculture sector. Prior to joining the National Pork Board in 2022, he served as state veterinarian and executive secretary for the South Dakota Animal Industry Board, where he provided strategic leadership and direction for the state’s animal health agency – a seven-member, governor-appointed board of livestock producers with responsibility for all animal health programs and disease control efforts in the state. Dr. Oedekoven received his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Iowa State University and bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Science from South Dakota State University. He resides in Pierre, South Dakota, with his wife and kids. What can you expect to learn from this episode of Popular Pig? Why the National Swine Health Strategy was created and how pig health directly impacts producer profitability. The two big goals guiding the strategy: reduce the impact of domestic diseases and keep foreign and emerging diseases out. Why PRRS elimination is now being set as a long term industry destination. Why PED elimination may be more achievable in the near term and how recent progress gives the industry momentum.

About the Guest Nat Stas is a Technical Services Director for PIC and has been in the commercial swine industry for 15 years, 8 of which have been with PIC. He holds a master’s degree from University of Illinois under Dr. Mike Ellis focusing on swine genetics and reproduction. In addition to Nat’s commitment to the commercial swine industry, he currently stays involved in the American Society of Animal Science and many livestock youth development programs and swine research programs. Nat resides in Latrobe, Pennsylvania with his wife and twin daughters. What can you expect to learn from this episode of Popular Pig? Why finishing mortality keeps climbing and why it costs you the most money. How tracking week on feed at death can quickly narrow down where your real problems are. Why cutting pigs open and getting a true diagnosis beats guessing every time. The simple things that matter most: getting pigs started right, keeping feed in front of them, avoiding feed outages, and managing space and sound feet late in finishing.  

About the Guest Al Wulfekuhle lives on Lake Delhi in east central Iowa, he is the owner of G&W Pork, a farrow-finish operation that markets around 50,000 pigs per year to Tyson Foods. Al also farms 640 acres of corn and soybeans. Al has business experience in managing farrow to finish pig farms and providing pork industry consulting and is a past President of the Iowa Pork Producers Association and is now serving as Past President of the National Pork Board. Al has a passion for improving pig production and health, creating more long term demand for pork and assisting others to be successful in the pig industry. He has served on numerous IPPA, NPB and Iowa State University research projects, advisory boards, committees, and task forces. Al and his wife Kathy have 3 married children, all very successful in their careers outside of the pork industry and 9-grandchildren. His personal hobbies are traveling, physical fitness and spending time with family and friends. What can you expect to learn from this episode of Popular Pig? How Al Wulfekuhle built a hog operation from 45 gilts starting in 1979 and grew through both good times and hard ones. How relationships and trust helped Al move forward when lenders said no on a barn loan. Why some of the toughest times in pork production created the biggest opportunities for growth and leadership. Why pork demand became a top priority after 2023 and how the domestic marketing campaign took shape. Al’s “Golden Nugget”

About the Guest Dr. Derald Holtkamp is a Professor in the Department of Veterinary Diagnostics and Production Animal Medicine (VDPAM) in the College of Veterinary Medicine at Iowa State University (Ames, Iowa, U.S.). He received his DVM, MS in Agricultural Economics, and B.S. in Agricultural Business with a minor in statistics, all from Iowa State University. Prior to joining Iowa State, he was a private veterinary consultant. He has also served as a technical services veterinarian for ADViSYS Inc., Vice President of Swine Applications for MetaFarms Inc., Director of Pork Development for E-Markets, Inc., and veterinarian for Smithfield Foods in Warsaw, North Carolina. Dr. Holtkamp’s research focuses on managing infectious swine diseases, biosecurity, disease risk assessment, and the economics of animal health and disease. He has authored more than 70 peer-reviewed publications, delivered over 70 invited presentations internationally, and given more than 220 invited talks across the United States. In addition, he has mentored over 275 professional and graduate students. What can you expect to learn from this episode of Popular Pig? How pig mortality directly impacts US competitiveness and why productivity gaps matter far beyond individual farms. What global benchmarking data shows about how the US compares to countries like Brazil and why mortality is a major driver. How PRRS continues to play a significant role in lost productivity and why its true economic impact is likely underestimated. Why biosecurity failures are usually tied to everyday processes, not rare events or one time mistakes. How identifying, prioritizing, and monitoring biosecurity risks matters more than debating rules like downtime length.  

About the Guests Sawyer Whisler is an Iowa hog farmer and the co-founder of Farmer Grade. He built an audience by sharing real day-to-day farm life through the @thislldofarm channel and later launched the Barn Talk podcast. His father, Tork Whisler, is part of the father-son dynamic behind the show and the long-term focus on trust and credibility. What can you expect to learn from this episode of Popular Pig? How Barn Talk grew from farm YouTube videos showing modern hog farming day to day. Why authenticity on camera matters when showing the good, bad, and frustrating moments. How the Barn Talk studio came together in a hayloft barn that had never been uncovered. Why avoiding sponsorships can protect credibility and help keep a weekly show sustainable. How Farmer Grade started when people asked to buy pork based on trust, not claims.

About the Guest Jenelle Dunkelberger has worked as a geneticist at Topigs Norsvin for the past eight years. She holds a PhD from Iowa State University, where the focus of her research was on the role of host genetics in response to viral disease in pigs. She continues to study this topic, along with other health-related issues, as Head of the Topigs Norsvin Global Health and Behavior Research Platform. Jenelle resides in Minnesota with her husband and young boys. What can you expect to learn from this episode of Popular Pig? Why improving pig livability through genetics is not as simple as it sounds and why what we measure matters more than what we assume. How collecting data from commercial herds helps reveal traits like resilience, robustness, and longevity that elite nucleus animals never get the chance to show. How genetic selection is being used today to reduce sow death loss tied to feet and leg issues, prolapse, and unknown sudden death. Why disease resilience can only be improved by measuring performance under real disease pressure, not ideal conditions. Jenelle’s Golden Nugget

About the Guest PJ Corns is the Technical Director for JBS Live Pork, Greeley, CO. Responsible for nearly 260,000 sows, boar studs and gilt development units across the Midwest. PJ has spent his entire career forging world class results with every step from managing large sow units in North Carolina, to working internationally with PIC and his own consultancy firm where his involvement in well over 2 million sows was driven by delivering results based upon proven protocols, system maximization, people development and biosecurity implementation and execution. PJ joined JBS in his current role in September, 2021. What can you expect to learn from this episode of Popular Pig? Why the best farms don’t just “track KPIs” — they focus on what they can improve today. How to stop relying on lagging data (like farrowing rate or closeouts) and start using leading indicators. Why execution on the farm matters more than having the “perfect” SOP. Where AI is headed in pig production — and why it only works if people follow through and execute. PJ’s Golden Nugget

About the Guest Dr. Clayton Johnson is a globally recognized swine health expert with Carthage Veterinary Services in Carthage, Illinois. A 2008 graduate of the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine, he began his career with The Maschhoffs, LLC—where he helped double sow production—and later joined Carthage in 2016 to lead company health initiatives. Internationally recognized for pioneering bioeconomic models to manage PRRS and PEDrelated diseases, he’s a sought-after consultant in China, Southeast Asia, and beyond. In 2020, Dr. Johnson received the prestigious Allen D. Leman Science in Practice Award for excellence in integrating scientific rigor into swine health management. He is licensed in seven states, leads a team of veterinary professionals, and, beyond veterinary practice, hosts “The Swine Health Blackbelt Podcast” a weekly podcast series reaching a global audience of +100,000 listeners serving to distill complex swine health research into actionable insights. What can you expect to learn from this episode of Popular Pig? Why pig livability decisions range from quick, day to day treatment calls to major capital investments and why they should not be evaluated the same way. How biosecurity functions more like insurance than a line item expense and why doing it right often goes unnoticed until it fails. Why preventing disease on the front end usually delivers more value than managing problems after pigs get sick. How economics, animal care, employee experience, and long term operation health all need to be considered together when making decisions. Clayton’s Golden Nugget  

About the Guest Kiersten Hafer is Vice President of Business Intelligence and Innovation for the National Pork Board and provides strategy, insights and guidance to the pork industry and supply chain on where to play and how to win with pork. She has leveraged her 30 years of experience with Fortune 500 companies and high-growth organizations to uncover and unlock potential, facilitate change and measure expansion. As a lifelong connector and change agent, she has strategized business growth with retailers, marketing agencies, food brokers, food-service operators, market research firms, and consumer goods manufacturers. Before her role with the National Pork Board, she served as vice president of marketing for Clemens Food Group where she was responsible for marketing, innovation and business insights across its retail and food-service businesses. Hafer is a graduate of Saint Joseph’s University with a Master of Science degree in food marketing from the Haub School of Business. She resides in the Greater Philadelphia region with her husband, two children and two golden retrievers. What can you expect to learn from this episode of Popular Pig? Why pork’s future growth depends on understanding today’s consumer and not just producing a great product. How data and business intelligence are being used to help sell more pork at retail and food-service. Why younger consumers want bold flavors, global cuisine, and finished dishes; not whole muscle cuts. How rethinking naming, portion size, and presentation can remove barriers to buying fresh pork. Kiersten’s “Golden Nugget”  

About the Guest Ben Blair was raised in Sparta, Illinois, where he grew up helping on his family’s corn, soy, wheat, and farrow-to-finish farm. He always enjoyed the numbers behind how things worked, which led him to study engineering at Southern Illinois University Carbondale. After finishing his engineering degree, he felt the pull back toward animal health and entered the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine. Following a short time in clinical practice, he returned to Illinois to complete a PhD with Dr. Jim Lowe. His work focused on the cull sow marketing network and strengthened his interest in advanced analytics, machine learning, and applying AI to livestock systems. He then spent two years at the University of Minnesota as a researcher while also running a consulting business centered on data and AI projects in agriculture. In 2023 Blair returned to the University of Illinois, where he now serves as an assistant professor in Livestock Health. His research combines infectious disease modeling with practical applications of AI in veterinary medicine and modern farming. He lives in Villa Grove, Illinois, with his wife Cathy and their three children, Charlie, Liz, and Lincoln. What can you expect to learn from this episode of Popular Pig? How AI really works — breaking down machine learning, computer vision, and language models in everyday terms. Why the swine industry needs “homegrown” AI solutions that understand how farms truly operate. The biggest challenges holding back AI adoption in ag — from messy data to slow decision-making. How “crawl, walk, run” thinking can help farms start small with AI before chasing advanced automation. Ben’s “golden nugget.”

About the Guest After earning his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Iowa State University in 1984, Dr. Jeff Okones spent nearly two decades in food animal practice in Eastern Iowa honing his expertise in swine health and production. His problem solving and communication skills led him from private practice to industry, first as a phone consultant for Pfizer Animal Health, and later as a Professional Service Veterinarian with Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica Inc. where he supported the Swine Sales and Marketing team. In 2020, Jeff joined Pharmgate Animal Health as a Technical Service Veterinarian. Drawing on more than 30 years of hands-on experience, he bridges the gap between science and the barn, helping producers turn complex product data into practical real-world strategies. He’s particularly passionate about vaccine technology and how it can set pigs up for healthier, more productive lives while supporting producers’ bottom lines. When he’s not working with pork producers and veterinarians, you’ll find him golfing, visiting small towns looking for the best pork tenderloin, following Iowa State athletics or spending time with his five grand kids. What can you expect to learn from this episode of Popular Pig? The real-world causes of swine respiratory disease (SRD) and how it often stems from multiple bacteria and stressors, not just one source. The most common bacterial culprits behind SRD and what symptoms to watch for before things get out of hand. Why stressors like weaning, weather swings, and transportation can quickly trigger respiratory issues—and how to prevent them. The role of good husbandry, strong biosecurity, and smart antibiotic use (like Tulissin and Tenotryl) in protecting herd health. Jeff’s “golden nugget.” Products Featured in This Episode These Pharmgate products were discussed as part of SRD management strategies and responsible treatment approaches: Tenotryl Tulissin 25 Tulissin 100

About the Guest Originally from Brazil, Lucas received his DVM and Master’s degrees from the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG, Brazil) and completed his doctoral degree at the Prairie Swine Centre and the University of Saskatchewan in Canada. Lucas joined Zinpro Corporation in 2022 as a discovery researcher for swine. His current role includes product development and support, directing and coordinating research studies and providing training for internal employees and external customers. What can you expect to learn from this episode of Popular Pig? How sow lameness quietly reduces herd productivity and longevity, often before visible signs appear. The connection between claw lesions and lost piglets—how one sow can lose nearly a pig per litter due to hoof pain and imbalance. Why gilt care, flooring, and proper trace mineral nutrition matter more than ever for healthy feet and lasting herd performance. How early prevention and better diagnostics can protect your herd’s bottom line and animal welfare. Lucas’s “Golden Nugget”

About the Guest Twyla Stevens is an accomplished HR executive with broad experience leading people strategies across national and international teams. As Chief Human Resources Officer at Professional Swine Management, she oversees talent acquisition, organizational development, compensation and benefits, and compliance initiatives. With expertise in workforce planning, leadership development, and change management, Twyla aligns HR strategy with business goals to drive organizational success. She holds a degree in Business Administration from Middle Tennessee State University, is a certified HR professional, and serves on the HR Advisory Board and the Sandburg Agriculture Advisory. What can you expect to learn from this episode of Popular Pig? Why real leadership starts with knowing yourself (your style, how you decide, and how you communicate). How a clear leadership path and training can turn nervous first-time leaders into confident managers. Simple ways to build trust and engagement every day (hands–heart–mind, first-day experience, being present). Practical habits you can put in place tomorrow, like quick standups and genuine check-ins with your team. How growing leaders from within cuts turnover, boosts promotions, and strengthens farm culture and performance.

About the Guest Courtney Gray has been the executive director of the Pennsylvania Pork Producers Council since 2022, where she represents Pennsylvania’s 2,500 pig farmers. Prior to that, she was on the producer education and engagement team at Pennsylvania Beef Council and was a loan officer at Farm Credit. She is a graduate of Penn State University with a degree in agricultural science. She and her husband, Brian, operate a commercial cattle operation in Central Pennsylvania alongside their two kids, Porter and Hattie. What can you expect to learn from this episode of Popular Pig? How the “Taste What Pork Can DoTM” campaign connects state-level programs with consumers through relatable storytelling and flavor inspiration. Why digital marketing and influencer partnerships are key to reaching millennial and Gen Z audiences who make meal decisions. How retargeting and recipe content boosted Pennsylvania’s pork engagement by 48% — and what that means for local producers. Creative ways Pennsylvania’s Pork Producers Council blends consumer events, from Rib Fest to the State Farm Show, to make pork approachable and fun. Courtney’s “golden nugget”

About the Guest Ton Kramer holds both master’s and doctorate degrees in Animal Science focused on Swine Locomotion and Health from Federal University of Paraná in Brazil. He has MBAs in Business Management and Project Management from Fundação Getúlio Vargas and a postgraduate degree in Marketing from Escola Superior de Propaganda e Marketing. Ton has also held leadership roles in the Brazilian Association of Veterinary Specialists in Swine. Currently, he serves as the South American Business Manager at Zinpro. What can you expect to learn from this episode of Popular Pig? How claw lesions have grown from a hidden problem to one of the top causes of sow mortality—affecting nearly 90% of herds. Why modern genetics and higher production demands make gilts and first-parity sows especially vulnerable. The real economic cost of lameness—replacement losses, lost production, and herd-health setbacks. How trace minerals like zinc, copper, and manganese help strengthen tissues, improve healing, and reduce claw damage. What producers can do to score, monitor, and improve claw health using Zinpro’s lesion index and daily nutrition strategy.

About the Guest Brian Martin is a 5th generation farmer from Northwest Indiana, a husband and father of 3. He has 40 years of experience in Pork industry around the US, and he is Co-Owner and Manager of a 14,000 sow pork production operation. What can you expect to learn from this episode of Popular Pig? How Martin Family Farms grew from ~600 sows to two sow farms—including a 10k-head Prop 12 site—by taking smart, steady risks. Why “health first” drives everything: tight biosecurity, clear processes, and doing what you say you’ll do—every day. How modern sow housing evolved there (early ESF/loose housing, later Prop 12 retrofit) and what actually held up in the real world. What really keeps teams together: frequent personal touch-points, culture-building, and growing long-tenured staff (not just chasing numbers). Brian’s “Golden Nugget”