['Recent necropsies have revealed new insights into unexplained sow deaths, helping producers better understand the causes behind these losses. A recent study led by Laura Solis, a graduate student at Iowa State University, examined why these deaths occur, many around farrowing. In some cases, animals were sent to the lab for further analysis, as discussed by Dr. Marcelo Almeida, assistant professor in the College of Veterinary Medicine at Iowa State University. The episode also features Dr. Chris Rademacher, clinical professor and swine extension veterinarian as well as associate director of the Iowa Pork Industry Center, who asks questions of what seasonal factors there were and management strategies that can influence herd health outcomes.', 'Recent necropsies have revealed new insights into unexplained sow deaths, helping producers better understand the causes behind these losses. A recent study led by Laura Solis, a graduate student at Iowa State University, examined why these deaths occur, many around farrowing. In some cases, animals were sent to the lab for further analysis, as discussed by Dr. Marcelo Almeida, assistant professor in the College of Veterinary Medicine at Iowa State University. The episode also features Dr. Chris Rademacher, clinical professor and swine extension veterinarian as well as associate director of the Iowa Pork Industry Center, who asks questions of what seasonal factors there were and management strategies that can influence herd health outcomes.']

['How do pressure barn systems work, and is negative or positive pressure the right choice? In this episode, Dr. Brett Ramirez, associate professor at Iowa State University, breaks down the essentials of barn filtration and its role in biosecurity. He shares how the industry has evolved, practical ways barns can be modified to improve filtration without sacrificing efficiency and tips for troubleshooting common challenges. Dr. Ramirez also emphasizes the importance of building the right team when approaching filtration projects.\nYou can also watch his full presentation from this year’s Iowa Swine Day: https://youtu.be/v8q1so_4jTA?s....', 'How do pressure barn systems work, and is negative or positive pressure the right choice? In this episode, Dr. Brett Ramirez, associate professor at Iowa State University, breaks down the essentials of barn filtration and its role in biosecurity. He shares how the industry has evolved, practical ways barns can be modified to improve filtration without sacrificing efficiency and tips for troubleshooting common challenges. Dr. Ramirez also emphasizes the importance of building the right team when approaching filtration projects.\nYou can also watch his full presentation from this year’s Iowa Swine Day: https://youtu.be/v8q1so_4jTA?s....']

['New equipment alone won’t solve every challenge in swine production. The real value comes when technologies and systems work together to improve efficiency. In this episode, three guests share their perspectives on how to make technology work smarter, not harder, and what producers should consider when making future decisions.First, Erin Brenneman and Jeremy Robertson of Brenneman Pork discuss the complexities of integrating different technologies, opportunities for overlapping data, and how success ultimately comes down to three essentials: air, water, and feed. You can also watch their full presentation from this year’s Iowa Swine Day: https://youtu.be/cQ99YHHB88w?feature=shared.Then, Dr. Suzanne Leonard from North Carolina State University emphasizes the importance of keeping technology adoption simple. She explains what value really means, considerations for budgeting and implementation, and how to avoid overcomplicating the process. Learn more from her presentation: https://youtu.be/gvDZnPE2VhE?feature=shared.', 'New equipment alone won’t solve every challenge in swine production. The real value comes when technologies and systems work together to improve efficiency. In this episode, three guests share their perspectives on how to make technology work smarter, not harder, and what producers should consider when making future decisions.First, Erin Brenneman and Jeremy Robertson of Brenneman Pork discuss the complexities of integrating different technologies, opportunities for overlapping data, and how success ultimately comes down to three essentials: air, water, and feed. You can also watch their full presentation from this year’s Iowa Swine Day: https://youtu.be/cQ99YHHB88w?feature=shared.Then, Dr. Suzanne Leonard from North Carolina State University emphasizes the importance of keeping technology adoption simple. She explains what value really means, considerations for budgeting and implementation, and how to avoid overcomplicating the process. Learn more from her presentation: https://youtu.be/gvDZnPE2VhE?feature=shared.']

['Biosecurity is vital to any swine operation, and manure handling can pose serious potential risks. Research from Ana Paula Serafini Poeta Silva, a research scientist from the College of Veterinary Medicine at Iowa State University, studied the association between manure management practices and disease outbreaks, Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus (PRRSV) and Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus (PEDV). On today’s episode, she highlights the analysis on improving pumping procedures and which disease showed a stronger association in wean-to-market pigs.\n\nLearn more about the research: https://fieldepi.org/team/', 'Biosecurity is vital to any swine operation, and manure handling can pose serious potential risks. Research from Ana Paula Serafini Poeta Silva, a research scientist from the College of Veterinary Medicine at Iowa State University, studied the association between manure management practices and disease outbreaks, Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus (PRRSV) and Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus (PEDV). On today’s episode, she highlights the analysis on improving pumping procedures and which disease showed a stronger association in wean-to-market pigs.\n\nLearn more about the research: https://fieldepi.org/team/']

['Abigail Jenkins noticed a challenge in the swine industry and researched it — more piglets are being born than there are functional teats to support them. As a graduate research assistant at Kansas State University, she studied how litter size, relative to functional teat count, impacts lactating sows and litter performance. In this July episode of the PigX Podcast, Abigail Jenkins is joined by Dr. Joel DeRouchey to discuss the importance of this research and what insights it offers for the swine industry.', 'Abigail Jenkins noticed a challenge in the swine industry and researched it — more piglets are being born than there are functional teats to support them. As a graduate research assistant at Kansas State University, she studied how litter size, relative to functional teat count, impacts lactating sows and litter performance. In this July episode of the PigX Podcast, Abigail Jenkins is joined by Dr. Joel DeRouchey to discuss the importance of this research and what insights it offers for the swine industry.']

['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.\nFor more details about the conference, visit https://piglivability.org/2025-conference. For project updates and additional resources, visit www.piglivability.org.', '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.\nFor 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.\n\nDiscussing 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.', '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.\n\nDiscussing 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.', '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.', '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.', '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.']