Popular Pig

Dr. Matheus Costa is a veterinarian scientist with a focus on the pathophysiology of diseases in species of veterinary interest, particularly swine. He is Assistant Professor of swine health management at the University of Saskatchewan, and Adjunct Professor at Utrecht University. He holds a DVM, PhD in veterinary microbiology and is also a board-certified swine health veterinarian. Matheus and his team are particularly interested in diseases to which antimicrobials are the only tool available for prevention and treatment. His work has focused on Brachyspira (the agent of swine dysentery), and more recently streptococci (S. zooepidemicus and S. suis). He was part of the team that first associated a new Brachyspira species with swine dysentery, and identified the emergence of S. zooepidemicus in pigs in North America.

Dr. Ryan Tenbergen graduated from the Ontario Veterinary College in 2016 and joined Demeter Veterinary Services currently supporting farms in Ontario. He has authored and co-authored scientific papers in the areas of swine disease and management as well as delivered oral presentations at scientific conferences and swine production meetings. He remains highly involved in industry groups to support producers and is past president for both provincial and national swine veterinarian organizations.

Dr. Martin Bonneau grew up on a pig farm in Saint-François de Montmagny. He graduated in veterinary medicine from the University of Montreal in 1993. From 1993 to 2004, he mainly worked for a Quebec genetics company as director of production and animal health. He founded Demeter Services Vétérinaires in 2004, with his colleague Sylvain Messier.

Tony Simpson brings more than 23 years of experience leading and investing in companies in agribusiness and animal health. In 2015, Tony founded AgTech Advisors, LLC, a consulting firm focused on supporting entrepreneurs and investors in the agtech sector. Previously, he served as a Managing Director for the Kansas Bioscience Authority where he led the organization’s investment efforts in agtech, animal health and bioenergy, leading investments in companies such as Aratana Therapeutics, Green Dot, SmartVet and Advanced Animal Diagnostics.

Before joining the KBA, he spent 9 years with POET Plant Management, where he started 2 major green-field ethanol plants and led equity drives and refinancing and expansion efforts for EXOL and Michigan Ethanol. Later, he led the US Ethanol Division for ED&F Man managing both plant operations as well as business development. Mr. Simpson began his career with ADM as a grain merchandiser, later moving to operations management as the Plant Manager of a wheat flour and bakery ingredient mill. Mr. Simpson serves on the board of directors of Green Dot Holdings, Advanced Animal Diagnostics, and the ATIP Foundation and is an observer to the SmartVet board. He serves as a Principal Advisor in the Larta Institute’s agricultural commercialization programs. Mr. Simpson holds an Economics Degree from Millikin University, an MBA from the Carlson School of Business (University of Minnesota-Minneapolis) and completed the Private Equity and Venture Capital Executive Education Program at Harvard.

Steve Weiss – Mr. Weiss is founder and President of NutriQuest and a partner in 21 st Century Strategic Forums. He also serves as a Board member for several enterprises in the U.S. swine industry and non-profit sectors.

At NutriQuest, Steve leads a team which has developed technologies to improve animal performance and help solve key industry problems like humane euthanasia and improving bacon quality, among others. He has also been an active and outspoken industry leader in his role with 21 st Century Strategic Forums and in leading industry efforts and dialogue around animal rights activists, preserving antibiotics, fake meat and other industry challenges.

Mr. Weiss was previously a founder and CFO at Iowa Select Farms, which today is the fourth largest swine producer in the U.S. He has also served as a turnaround specialist for several companies, including serving as court-Appointed Receiver for a South Dakota based 7,000-cow dairy, Interim CEO for a 50,000-sow Nebraska based swine producer, Chief Restructuring Officer for a 17,000-sow North Carolina operation, and a consultant to numerous distressed production agriculture businesses, in each case accomplishing successful restructurings or the sale and continuity of those businesses. Mr. Weiss, a CPA, was a founding partner of Roth & Company, a Des Moines, Iowa based CPA firm, and Manager of Middle Market Services for Deloitte from 1985 to 1990.

Dr. Chris Richards is the Managing Director of ASX listed Apiam Animal Health Ltd, which through its 74 clinics (365 veterinarians) provide veterinary services across regional and rural Australia. Dr Richards graduated as a veterinarian from the University of Melbourne in 1996 having previously obtained a Bachelor of Science from La Trobe University. Dr. Richards is responsible for the strategic direction of Apiam, which since 1998 has seen the development and acquisition of production and companion animal veterinary clinics, distribution, diagnostic and vaccine laboratories, and genetics services businesses into a vertically integrated veterinary business. Dr. Richards is also a Director of registered charity, Fur Life Foundation Ltd, which raises funds to support people in rural, regional, and remote communities.

Rob Hannam, CEO of Farm Health Guardian, is committed to helping farms and food companies improve animal health and protect against the devastating impact of animal disease through digital biosecurity. Launched in 2020 for the swine and poultry sectors, Farm Health Guardian technology is reducing the risk of disease spread and improving biosecurity compliance which saves time, reduces the cost of production and improves farm sustainability. Rob’s passion for agriculture was cultivated while growing up on his family’s grain farm in Guelph, Ontario. He has worked in agriculture for over 30 years and has proven experience in building innovative businesses. He is also President of Synthesis Network, where he leads a team of marketing communications professionals who push the boundaries of agri-food leadership and innovation.

Natalia Rimi Heisterkamp is the general Manager for Crystal Spring Brasil and for the past 6 years also has the role of Director of Global Strategy for Crystal Spring Hog Equipment. In addition to nearly 30 years of experience in business development, project management, manufacturing, logistics, and customer service, Natalia also holds a degree in Business Management, a graduate degree in Foreign Commerce, and a master’s degree in Project and Business Management.

Natalia is passionate for the hog industry and over the past years developed important projects in marketing, branding and in developing business strategies to grow brands worldwide. Originally from Sao Paulo, Brazil, Natalia speaks Portuguese, English, Spanish, French, German, and Italian. She currently lives in Omaha, Nebraska (USA) with her husband Todd and their 11-year-old son, Arthur.

After 8 years of field experience in Brazil, he joined Iowa State University in 2015 and serves as Associate Professor and Director of Graduate Education. Daniel works with the Field Epi team (www.fieldepi.org), which includes 25 professionals centered on graduate education and professional services on development and evaluation of strategies to improve swine health & productivity. His group has over 300 publications/participations in meetings over the last 5 years, having worked closely with veterinarians and pig producers representing > 3 million sows.

Dr. Erin Kettlekamp is an associate veterinarian with Swine Vet Center and is based in southern Minnesota. She is a 2021 DVM graduate of the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine. In practice, Erin enjoys collaborating on field research, consulting on biosecurity, and assisting producers in all areas of production.

Dr. Andy Holtcamp is a highly respected veterinarian, renowned for his contributions to animal health and biosecurity. He earned his Bachelor of Science in 1988 and his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine in 1993, both from Mississippi State University. His career began with significant roles at Iowa Select Farms and Prestage Farms as a staff veterinarian, where he developed his expertise in managing the health of large livestock populations. Dr. Holtcamp’s professional journey further evolved at Bayer HealthCare in the Technical Service department, where he played a key role in advancing animal health products and disease prevention strategies. He then continued his impactful work at CEVA and is currently a consultant for Intervention Disinfectant, focusing on the development and application of disinfectants in animal health and biosecurity. His research has made substantial contributions to the field, particularly in protein production systems for cattle, poultry, and swine. Dr. Holtcamp has published various papers on topics such as the use of iron in pigs and the effects of enrofloxacin on different pathogens. A notable achievement in his career is pioneering the first HEPA filtered system for Boar Stud in the USA, which has set a new standard in swine industry biosecurity. Dr. Holtcamp’s work continues to have a significant impact on veterinary medicine and animal husbandry practices.

Kiersten Hafer is a business strategy executive with a proven track record of navigating and aligning market trends, business goals and organizational priorities to deliver high impact, actionable solutions accelerating growth for brands and businesses.   Hafer leads the Strategy and Domestic Market Development teams at the National Pork Board where she advises the pork industry, major packer and processers and retail and foodservice operators how to win with pork and where to focus time and money.   

Dr. Kristen Hicks-Roof is a Registered Dietitian and the Director of Nutrition Research at the National Pork Board. She has extensive expertise in research from basic science to translation in animal and human subjects. In her role at NPB, she is focused on leading the nutrition research strategy, execution and dissemination to show the role of pork in human nutrition, sustainability and health across the lifespan.