The Squeal

What can pigs and plants learn from one another when it comes to technology, data, and genetic improvement?

In this episode of The Squeal, experts from livestock and crop production come together to explore the growing field of digital phenotyping. They discuss how new technologies are being used to capture traits and behaviors that were once difficult or impossible to measure—and how that information can support more informed breeding and management decisions.

While phenotyping pigs and plants presents different challenges, both industries share a common goal: collecting accurate, meaningful data that can help improve efficiency, sustainability, productivity, and animal or plant performance. Tune in to hear how collaboration across agriculture can spark new ideas and shape the future of genetic improvement.

Preparing for cold weather goes beyond ventilation—winter readiness requires attention to the entire barn and the management practices that keep pigs comfortable and facilities running smoothly.

In Part 2 of our Preparing Barns for Cold Weather series, our guests continue the conversation by focusing on the maintenance, management, and everyday details that can make a difference during the winter months. From checking heaters, insulation, and equipment to preparing for freezing temperatures, snow, and unexpected weather events, the discussion highlights areas producers should evaluate before cold weather arrives.

Our guests also share practical lessons from their own experiences and discuss how routine maintenance, employee awareness, and proactive planning can help prevent small issues from becoming bigger challenges. Tune in for practical reminders and opportunities to help keep barns operating efficiently and pigs comfortable, healthy, and productive throughout the winter season.

Cold weather can create new challenges inside the barn, making proper preparation and ventilation management essential for maintaining a healthy environment for pigs.

In Part 1 of our Preparing Barns for Cold Weather series, our guests discuss how ventilation systems should be evaluated and adjusted as temperatures begin to drop. The conversation covers the importance of maintaining minimum ventilation, controlling moisture and air quality, preventing drafts, and recognizing signs that a barn's environment may need attention.

From inspecting fans, inlets, curtains, and controllers to understanding how changing weather conditions affect airflow, this episode provides practical reminders to help producers prepare their barns and ventilation systems for the winter months. Tune in to learn how proactive planning and consistent monitoring can support pig comfort, health, and performance throughout the cold-weather season.

La bioseguridad comienza mucho antes de que alguien ponga un pie en una granja. Desde la planificación de los itinerarios de viaje hasta el cumplimiento de los protocolos de ingreso, cada paso de una visita de Servicios Técnicos desempeña un papel fundamental en la protección de la salud del hato. En este episodio especial de The Squeal, nuestro primer episodio grabado completamente en español, miembros del equipo de Servicios Técnicos de PIC comparten una mirada detrás de cámaras sobre cómo se preparan y llevan a cabo las visitas a las granjas de los clientes, siempre con la bioseguridad como prioridad. La conversación explora los protocolos que se siguen antes de ingresar a una granja, los objetivos de una visita de Servicios Técnicos y las observaciones y recomendaciones que pueden ayudar a los clientes a identificar oportunidades de mejora. Nuestros invitados también analizan algunas de las brechas de bioseguridad más comunes que encuentran en las granjas, la importancia de la comunicación entre el equipo de Servicios Técnicos y el personal de la granja, y cómo los productores pueden prepararse para obtener el máximo valor de su próxima visita. Acompáñanos para conocer cómo una preparación cuidadosa, una comunicación efectiva y un compromiso compartido con la bioseguridad pueden ayudar a proteger la salud del hato y fortalecer cada visita a la granja.

Every pig counts—and once we understand where survivability challenges occur, the next step is turning that knowledge into action.

In Part 2 of our Every Pig Counts series, we shift the conversation from understanding the numbers to the management practices that can help improve wean-to-finish survivability. Our guests explore the critical days following weaning, the stressors pigs face during transition, and the early indicators that can help teams identify pigs that may need additional attention.

From barn readiness and feed and water intake to communication between teams and consistent execution of daily care, this episode highlights the opportunities producers have to support pigs throughout the wean-to-finish period. We also discuss how decisions made early in the production cycle can influence performance and losses later in finishing.

Tune in to learn how proactive management, strong communication, and attention to the details can help teams address challenges earlier, reduce losses, and ultimately get more pigs to market.

Every pig counts—and understanding where survivability challenges begin is the first step toward improving outcomes.

In Part 1 of our Every Pig Counts series, we take a closer look at wean-to-finish survivability and the factors that influence pig losses throughout the production cycle. Our guests discuss how the industry defines and measures survivability, where and when mortality challenges tend to occur, and why looking beyond the overall mortality number can provide valuable insight into what is happening in the barn.

From identifying trends in the data to understanding the economic impact of late-finishing losses, this conversation lays the foundation for making more informed management decisions. Tune in to learn why good records, timely information, and a better understanding of when losses occur can help producers identify opportunities to improve survivability and ultimately get more pigs to market.

In Part 2 of our Production Trends Around the Globe series, the conversation shifts from today's challenges to tomorrow's opportunities. Building on insights from North America, Europe, and Asia, our technical experts explore where they see the swine industry heading and the innovations that will shape its future.

From advances in genetics, technology, and data-driven decision making to changing consumer expectations, workforce development, and the continued importance of collaboration, our guests discuss how producers can prepare for what's next. They also share ideas and lessons from their regions that have the potential to benefit the global pork industry.

Swine production may look different around the world, but many of the industry's biggest challenges are surprisingly similar.

In this first episode of our two-part Production Trends Around the Globe series, we're joined by technical experts from North America, Europe, and Asia to explore the current state of pork production in their regions. From labor shortages and disease pressure to changing regulations, market volatility, sustainability expectations, and digital innovation, our guests share firsthand perspectives on the trends shaping today's global swine industry.

While every region faces unique circumstances, this conversation highlights the common challenges producers are working to overcome—and the opportunities to learn from one another. Tune in to hear how different parts of the world are adapting to an evolving industry and why collaboration across regions will play an important role in the future of pork production.

Nutrition is one of the most powerful tools we have to build and maintain boar robustness, but successful feeding goes far beyond simply filling feeders. In Part 2 of our Boar Robustness series, we take a closer look at the feeding strategies that support boar longevity, fertility, and overall performance throughout every stage of life.

Our host, Carine Vier, PIC Nutritionist is joined by Dr. Steve Dritz, PIC Sr. Nutitionist and Amanda Middleton, PIC GTC Manager for this conversation. Our experts discuss how nutritional requirements change over time, the importance of body condition management, common feeding challenges, and practical adjustments that can help boars perform at their best. Whether you're managing young developing boars or mature working boars, this episode provides actionable insights to help maximize health, productivity, and long-term value.

Tune in to learn how thoughtful feeding decisions can strengthen the foundation of a robust boar program.

Boar robustness starts with the daily decisions made on the farm. In this episode of The Squeal, we kickoff our Boar Robustness series by exploring the care and management practices that help boars reach their full genetic potential and remain productive throughout their working lives.

Host, Carine Vier, PIC Nutritionist leads a conversation with Michael Kleve-Feld, PIC Technical Services Director and Dr. Megan Hood from Reicks Veterinary Research and Consulting where our guests discuss the key management factors that influence boar performance, including handling, housing, health monitoring, environmental conditions, and employee training. They also share practical strategies producers and stud teams can implement to improve boar well-being, longevity, and overall stud performance.

Whether you're managing a commercial stud or simply looking to strengthen your understanding of boar management, this episode offers valuable insights into one of the foundational pillars of boar robustness.