As temperatures rise, so do the challenges across every phase of pork production. In this episode of The Squeal, we take a whole-system approach to summer management—connecting the dots between the sow farm and wean-to-finish to help producers stay ahead of heat stress.

Carine Vier, PIC Nutritionist, is joined by Juan Orozco, PIC Technical Services Manager, and Isaiah Spath, PIC Technical Services Manager, to break down how hot weather impacts pigs at every stage, from feed intake and reproductive performance in sows to growth, efficiency, and overall performance in wean-to-finish barns.

Together, they share practical, on-farm strategies to help maintain consistency, protect performance, and avoid common pitfalls during the summer months. From ventilation and water management to feeding adjustments and early warning signs, this episode is packed with actionable insights you can implement right away.

Whether you're managing sows, growing pigs, or both—this conversation will help you prepare, adapt, and perform all summer long.

On this episode of The Squeal, host Tori Walters leads a timely and practical conversation on preparing wean-to-finish barns for the quickly approaching warm weather months. She is joined by Nat Stas, PIC Wean-to-Finish Director and Isaiah Spath, PIC Wean-to-Finish Manager, who bring real-world experience and insights into what it takes to set barns up for success before temperatures rise.

On this episode of The Squeal, host Brie Quick, PIC Technical Services Manager, continues the Heat No Service (HNS) conversation by building on the foundation laid in Episode 1 and taking a deeper dive into practical application and real-world impact. Joined again by Sergio Canavate, PIC Applied Repro Technical Services Director, and Jennifer Patterson, University of Alberta, this episode shifts from the "why" behind HNS to the "how." Together, they unpack what effective implementation looks like on farm, common challenges teams face when refining gilt development protocols, and how to evaluate whether HNS is truly driving the outcomes you expect. Be sure to tune in as the Heat No Service series continues to connect science, management, and long-term profitability on The Squeal.

On this epsidoe of The Squeal, host Brie Quick, PIC Technical Services Manager, leads a foundational conversation on the importance of HNS and why it plays such a critical role in long-term performance and profitability. She is joined by Sergio Canavate, PIC Applied Repro Technical Services Director, and Jennifer Patterson, University of Alberta, to explore how HNS impacts herd health, reproductive performance, and overall system stability.

Together, they break down why HNS isn't just a technical term — it's a coordinated strategy that supports stronger pigs, improved efficiency, and more resilient production systems. From practical application on farm to the science behind the strategy, this episode sets the stage for understanding how aligning health, nutrition, and system management drives measurable results.

This episode of The Squeal is a replay worth revisiting. Transporting weaned pigs from the sow farm to the next phase of production comes with plenty of moving parts, and strong communication between teams can make all the difference.

Hosted by Brie Quick (PIC Technical Services Manager), this conversation brings together real-world perspectives from Chad Bermel and Ted Recker of Brenneman Pork, who share the communication practices that work best within their operation and why alignment between sow farms and wean-finish sites is so critical.

The discussion is rounded out by insights from Brad Schimmer (PIC Technical Services Manager), who draws from his experience working with sow farms across North America to highlight common gaps and practical ways communication can be strengthened.

In this episode of The Squeal, host Dr. Craig Lewis, PIC Genetic Services Director for the EU, sits down with Dr. Lindsay Case, PIC Technical Director or Product Sustainability, Dr. Greg Thoma with Colorado State University, and Pieter Knapp, PIC Genetic Strategy Manager, to unpack groundbreaking research that puts real numbers behind genetic progress and sustainability in pork production. Together, the group explains what a life cycle assessment is, why it matters, and what makes PIC's LCA different from anything done before in the industry. They break down how improvements in traits like feed efficiency, survivability, and overall performance translate directly into measurable environmental gains—without requiring producers to change how they raise pigs.

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In this episode of The Squeal, Alison Stagemeyer, PIC Supply Chain Account Representative is joined by David McGee, PIC Supply Chain Sr. Specialist and Mauricio Gonzalez, PIC Technical Services Sr. Manager for a practical conversation on setting pigs up for success from the very beginning.

From Entry to Excellence: Selecting to Avoid Early Setbacks dives into the critical decisions made at entry that can prevent costly challenges later in production. The group discusses what to look for when selecting pigs, common early mistakes that lead to downstream performance issues, and how early selection strategies influence health, growth, and overall herd efficiency.

In episode two of the Sow Body Condition series, Sow Body Condition: Getting it Right at Weaning, host Michael McKinney, PIC Sales Representative, is joined by Dr. Lori Kociemba, PIC Technical Services Manager, and Dr. Carine Vier, PIC Nutritionist, to dive into the importance of sow body condition at weaning and how it influences both sow longevity and future reproductive success.

This episode explores what optimal body condition looks like at weaning, how lactation demands and feed intake affect condition loss, and why managing that loss is critical for successful rebreeding. The group also discusses practical strategies for supporting sows through lactation, identifying problem areas early, and using consistent assessment tools to make informed management decisions.

From the farrowing house to the breeding barn, this conversation connects sow body condition at weaning to overall herd performance and long-term productivity.

On this episode of The Squeal, host Isaiah Spath, PIC Wean to Finish Manager, is joined by Brie Quick and Kendall Weger, PIC Technical Services Managers, to discuss what it takes to get sow body condition right at farrowing. From defining the ideal sow condition to understanding how it impacts farrowing performance, piglet viability, and colostrum quality, our guests share practical insights and on-farm strategies to help producers set their sows up for success.

In this final installment of The Power of One More Pig, host Brie Quick, PIC Technical Services Manager, brings back Isaiah Spath, PIC Wean-to-Finish Technical Services Manager, and Kendall Weger, PIC Technical Services Manager, to explore one of the most influential—but often overlooked—drivers of pig performance: communication between the sow farm and the wean-to-finish facility.

From weaning age and transport details to health status, pig quality, and placement planning, the team discusses how clear, consistent, two-way communication forms the bridge that helps every pig—especially that extra one—transition successfully. They break down practical communication tools, what information matters most, how feedback loops strengthen both ends of the production chain, and why collaboration between teams directly impacts health, growth, and overall barn success.

If we want to produce not just more pigs, but better pigs, connecting the dots between sow farm productivity and wean-to-finish execution is essential.