In this episode of The Swine it Podcast Show Canada, Dr. Jean-Pierre Vaillancourt, a global leader in biosecurity research, unpacks the current and future challenges in swine biosecurity. He explores whether technology can improve compliance, how behavioral psychology plays a role in consistent biosecurity practices, and why the ongoing HPAI situation in poultry may pose concerns for swine producers. Get insights on protecting your herd from emerging threats. Listen now on all major platforms!

"There’s no silver bullet. We need to apply biosecurity measures consistently."

What will you learn: 

• (00:00) Introduction
• (03:45) Biosecurity insights
• (07:11) Tech for compliance
• (13:49) Human behavior training
• (20:11) Influenza threat overview
• (26:26) Emerging zoonotic threats
• (39:33) Final three questions

Meet the guest:

Dr. Jean-Pierre Vaillancourt earned his D.M.V. and M.Sc. from the University of Montreal and his Ph.D. in Epidemiology and Biostatistics from the University of Minnesota. He is a professor at the University of Montreal, associate director of the World Veterinary Education in Production Animal Health, and a global leader in biosecurity research. His work focuses on infectious disease control in swine production.

Liked this one? Don’t stop now — Here’s what we think you’ll love!

In this episode of The Swine it Podcast Show Canada, Dr. Manuel Juarez from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada shares insights into the use of immunocastration in heavy pigs and how it impacts carcass quality, animal behavior, and production efficiency. He explains why industry protocols may need updating to reflect changing market weights and emerging challenges in pig welfare. Listen now on all major platforms!

"Immunocastration can improve feed efficiency — 8 to 12% better than surgical castration — which is quite significant."

• (00:00) Introduction
• (02:57) Carcass quality methods
• (07:19) Immunocastration insights
• (12:14) Timing and dose protocols
• (17:15) Belly fat concerns
• (19:30) Practical producer advice
• (23:57) Final three questions

Meet the guest:

Dr. Manuel Juarez earned his Ph.D. in Animal Production from the University of Seville, after completing an MBA and a DVM. He now serves as a Livestock Phenomics Scientist at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. His research combines genetics and phenotyping to improve carcass and meat quality in swine production.

Connect with our guest on Social Media: LinkedIn

In this episode of The Swine it Podcast Show Canada, Dr. Jessica Law, veterinarian and owner of the Prairie Livestock Veterinarians, shares her expertise on advancing herd health through preventative medicine. She explores the power of working closely with producers, the crucial role of biosecurity, and why early piglet care can make all the difference down the line. Get practical tips on disease prevention, vaccination strategies, and how to keep your herd healthy and performing at its best. Tune in now on all major platforms!

"Herd health is just like this big ecosystem; it’s a combination of animal health, production, and the goals for those animals."

Meet the guest: Dr. Jessica Law, DVM, earned board certification in Swine Health Management in 2024, becoming only the second veterinarian in Canada and one of just 20 diplomates in North America. Honored as the 2020 Young Veterinarian of the Year, she’s served as president of the Canadian and Western Canadian Association of Swine Veterinarians and chairs the Food Animal Committee for the Alberta Veterinary Medical Association. Dr. Law, owner of Prairie Livestock Veterinarians in Alberta, specializes in herd health, reproduction, biosecurity, and disease prevention. She also teaches at the University of Calgary.

What you will learn:

• (00:00) Highlight
• (01:08) Introduction
• (03:50) Herd health overview
• (05:18) Producer collaboration
• (13:08) Ventilation's role in health
• (15:00) Biosecurity insights
• (22:08) Management strategies
• (33:36) Final three questions

The Swine it Podcast Show Canada is trusted and supported by innovative companies like:

* Swine Veterinary Partners

- dsm-firmenich

𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺.

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In this episode of The Swine it Podcast Show Canada, Mark Fynn, Training Resources Coordinator at the Canadian Pork Council, discusses the development and rollout of the PigLEARN training platform—a national initiative to standardize swine training across Canada. He explains how this digital resource enhances barn-level education and workforce onboarding, with modules on biosecurity, transport, and more. Learn how this system supports swine professionals in delivering consistent, high-quality training. Listen now on all major platforms!

"The PigLearn training platform is an online platform that hosts training—different training modules on a variety of priority topics for the pork industry."

Meet the guest: Mark Fynn holds a Master of Science in Animal Science from the University of Manitoba and serves as the Director of Quality Assurance and Animal Care at Manitoba Pork. He also acts as the Training Resources Coordinator at the Canadian Pork Council. With over 14 years of experience, Mark has been instrumental in driving swine workforce education.

What you will learn:

• (00:00) Highlight
• (00:55) Introduction
• (03:37) PigLEARN training platform
• (06:18) National training collaboration
• (09:18) Training development overview
• (11:18) Language-accessible learning
• (16:01) Target audience focus
• (21:02) Final three questions

The Swine it Podcast Show Canada is trusted and supported by innovative companies like:

* Swine Veterinary Partners

- dsm-firmenich

𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺.

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As summer temperatures heat up, it's crucial to find ways to manage the rising warmth in swine barns. In this special episode of The Swine it Podcast Show Canada, Dr. Robert Stwalley from Purdue University discusses how cooling floor pads can alleviate thermal stress in swine barns. He explores the impact of heat on sows, boar productivity, and piglet welfare and explains how microclimate engineering supports animal performance and barn efficiency. Learn practical solutions for barn design and temperature management. Listen now on all major platforms!

"Thermal stress drastically affects sows, and barns are just compromising between overheating the sow and underheating the piglets."

Meet the guest: Dr. Robert Stwalley is an Associate Clinical Professor of Agricultural & Biological Engineering at Purdue University. He holds degrees in Power and Machinery (B.S.), and Combustion and Computational Fluids (M.S. and Ph.D.) from Purdue. His research focuses on microclimate technologies, renewable energy, and agricultural machinery design.

What you will learn:

• (00:00) Highlight
• (01:12) Introduction
• (01:47) Managing thermal stress
• (06:57) Cooling pad design
• (08:07) Performance and behavior impact
• (16:17) Cost considerations
• (21:35) Microclimate control methods
• (25:05) Final questions

The Swine it Podcast Show Canada is trusted and supported by innovative companies like:

* Swine Veterinary Partners

- dsm-firmenich

𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺.

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In this episode of The Swine it Podcast Show Canada, Dr. Janice Siegford from Michigan State University explores the role of precision livestock farming in modern swine production. She explains the challenges of using sensors and monitoring tools in pig barns—from durability issues to scaling data collection for large operations. Learn how these technologies can improve pig welfare, detect disease early, and help producers make smarter decisions. Tune in now on all major platforms!

"We need to ensure technology supports both efficiency and ethical responsibility in swine production."

Meet the guest: Dr. Janice Siegford, MS, PhD, is a Professor in the Animal Behavior and Welfare Group at Michigan State University, where she also serves as Associate Chair of Graduate Programs. With a background in neuroscience, zoology, and science communication, she specializes in the impact of management practices and housing environments on livestock welfare.

What you will learn:

• (00:00) Highlight
• (01:06) Introduction
• (01:22) Precision livestock farming
• (02:44) Challenges in pig monitoring
• (05:51) Technology for disease detection
• (09:56) Individual tracking benefits
• (20:54) Tech for decision-making
• (24:34) Final questions

The Swine it Podcast Show Canada is trusted and supported by innovative companies like:

* Swine Veterinary Partners

- dsm-firmenich

𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺.

Website: The Swine it Podcast Show Canada

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In this special rerun episode of The Swine it Podcast Show Canada, we revisit our conversation with Dr. Wayne Lees, from Pigs Manitoba, who explores the issue of wild pigs and their impact on the Canadian swine industry. He explains the origins of wild pigs in Manitoba and their environmental, animal health, and human safety threats. Additionally, Dr. Lees shares insights on the steps taken to manage and control the wild pig population. Tune in to learn how these invasive species could affect Canadian agriculture and swine production—don’t miss the opportunity to listen to this episode!

"Wild pigs are a one-health problem, impacting environmental health, animal health, and human safety all at once."

Meet the guest: Dr. Wayne Lees holds a DVM from the Western College of Veterinary Medicine and a Master's in veterinary epidemiology from the Ontario Veterinary College. With over 30 years of experience, he has led two rural veterinary practices, served as Manitoba's Chief Veterinary Officer, and contributed to national animal health policies. Currently, as Coordinator for Squeal on Pigs Manitoba, Dr. Lees leads efforts to manage wild pig populations. His work integrates public health, animal health, and environmental strategies.

What you will learn:

• (00:00) Highlight
• (00:48) Introduction
• (01:15) What is Squeal on Pigs Manitoba?
• (04:28) Environmental and animal health risks
• (09:48) Public reporting and wild pigs
• (12:41) Pig population control and eradication
• (19:58) Applied research and future plans
• (27:11) Closing thoughts

The Swine it Podcast Show Canada is trusted and supported by innovative companies like:

* Swine Veterinary Partners

- dsm-firmenich

𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺.

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In this episode of The Swine it Podcast Show Canada, independent agricultural journalist Harry Siemens discusses the importance of transparent communication in the swine industry. He shares insights on how producers can bridge the gap between industry advancements and consumer perceptions, the role of media in shaping public opinion, and the challenges of addressing misinformation. Understand why clear messaging is critical for industry success. Listen now on all major platforms!

"We don’t use technology just for the sake of it. We use it to improve animal welfare, meat quality, and sustainability."

Meet the guest: Harry Siemens is an independent agricultural and farm journalist with nearly 40 years of experience in the industry. Based in Winkler, Manitoba, he has built a strong reputation for storytelling, sharing the voices of farmers across Canada. With a background in fine arts from the University of Manitoba, Harry has contributed to major farm publications, radio, and podcasts, focusing on agricultural advancements and communication strategies.

What you will learn:

• (00:00) Highlight
• (01:03) Introduction
• (04:41) Guest’s background
• (07:50) Transparent communication
• (12:17) Industry communication roles
• (13:23) Public perception challenges
• (22:06) Building public trust
• (25:18) Final three questions

The Swine it Podcast Show Canada is trusted and supported by innovative companies like:

* Swine Veterinary Partners

- dsm-firmenich

𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺.

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In this episode of The Swine it Podcast Show Canada, Dr. Kristina Horback, from UC Davis, breaks down the science behind sow personality and its impact on herd dynamics. From aggression levels to social ranking, individual behavioral traits can influence productivity, welfare, and overall barn management. Learn how identifying hyper-aggressive or stress-prone sows early can help improve group housing strategies and reduce disruptions. Listen now on all major platforms!

"Personality is a way to describe an animal’s behavior that is consistent over time and across different situations."

Meet the guest: Dr. Kristina Horback is an Associate Professor of Applied Ethology at UC Davis, with over 12 years of experience researching sow behavior and welfare. With a Ph.D. in Experimental Psychology, she applies cognitive science to study swine communication, social interactions, and stress resilience. She has published 14 peer-reviewed articles in top animal behavior journals and has presented her research to industry and academic audiences worldwide.

What you will learn:

• (00:00) Highlight
• (01:03) Introduction
• (03:44) Understanding sow personality
• (06:47) Impact on social hierarchy
• (11:27) Identifying aggressive behaviors
• (13:38) Measuring behavioral traits
• (15:51) Role of genetics in aggression
• (22:08) Final three questions

The Swine it Podcast Show Canada is trusted and supported by innovative companies like:

* Swine Veterinary Partners

- dsm-firmenich

𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺.

Website: The Swine it Podcast Show Canada

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In this episode of The Swine it Podcast Show Canada, Dr. Mariela Segura from the University of Montreal explores the challenges and advancements in Streptococcus suis vaccine development. She discusses the limitations of current vaccines, the role of maternal antibodies, and the potential of innovative approaches like conjugate vaccines. Learn how antimicrobial resistance impacts disease control and what the future holds for swine health management. Tune in now on all major platforms!

"Streptococcus suis is not only a major economic concern in the swine industry but also a zoonotic pathogen."

Meet the guest: Dr. Mariela Segura is a full professor at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Montreal and the director of the Swine and Poultry Infectious Diseases Center (CRIPA). She holds a Canada Research Chair in Immunoglycobiology of Infectious Diseases and earned her master's and Ph.D. from the Université de Montréal. Her research focuses on the immunological role of the Streptococcus suis capsular polysaccharide in infection and its potential as a vaccine target.

What you will learn:

• (00:00) Highlight
• (00:48) Introduction
• (02:50) Streptococcus suis impact
• (06:53) Vaccine options
• (12:22) Novel vaccine strategies
• (16:28) Maternal antibody challenges
• (19:28) Future swine health innovations
• (21:19) Final three questions

The Swine it Podcast Show Canada is trusted and supported by innovative companies like:

* Swine Veterinary Partners

- dsm-firmenich

𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺.

Website: The Swine it Podcast Show Canada

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