In this episode of The Swine Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. Ashley DeDecker from Smithfield talks about the essential care practices for piglets on their first day. She emphasizes how creating the right farrowing environment plays a key role in improving piglet survival rates. Dr. DeDecker also shares insights from research on drying methods, managing microenvironments, and the benefits of split suckling in today’s swine production. Listen in to discover practical piglet care techniques that can lead to better results for your swine operation.

"When farrowing crates are optimal, drying piglets is considered an advanced care option."

Meet the guest: Dr. Ashley DeDecker, Senior Director of Research and Extension at Smithfield, brings over 13 years of expertise in swine production research. She holds a Ph.D. in Swine Behavior and Stress Physiology from the University of Illinois and a B.S. in Animal Science from Southern Illinois University. Her work focuses on improving swine behavior, welfare, and production practices at Smithfield.

What you will learn: 

• (00:00) Highlight
• (00:53) Introduction
• (02:07) Day one pig care
• (03:32) Drying techniques
• (04:26) Farrowing crate
• (06:53) Split suckling
• (09:53) Sow colostrum production
• (14:11) Closing thoughts

The Swine Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast is trusted and supported by innovative companies like:

- Jyga

- Fortiva

𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺.

Website: The Swine Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast

Instagram: The Swine Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast

LinkedIn: The Swine Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast

In this episode of The Swine Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast, Casey Neill from Carthage Veterinary Services explores the critical aspects of sow and piglet feeding. He breaks down strategies for improving lactation diets, ensuring smooth transitions for nursery pigs, and optimizing feed forms like crumbles and meals for better performance. Tune in on your preferred platform today!

"The lactation diet is an area we need to focus on, considering how much pigs and milk these sows are producing."

Meet the guest: Casey Neill holds a Master’s degree in swine nutrition from Kansas State University and has over 15 years of experience as a swine nutritionist. Currently, at Carthage Veterinary Services, he works with independent producers to optimize diets and feed formulations. 

What you will learn: 

• (00:00) Highlight
• (01:08) Introduction
• (03:06) Sow nutrition
• (04:00) Optimizing lactation diets
• (05:08) Younger parity sows
• (08:28) Strategies for nursery diets
• (11:34) Feed forms for nursery pigs
• (13:25) Closing thoughts

The Swine Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast is trusted and supported by innovative companies like:

- Phibro

- Jyga

- Fortiva

𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺.

Website: The Swine Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast

Instagram: The Swine Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast

LinkedIn: The Swine Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast

In this episode of The Swine Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. Ryan Samuel, from South Dakota State University, shares his research on replacing soy protein concentrate with corn-fermented protein in nursery pig diets. He explores its effects on growth performance, gut health, and feed efficiency, addressing challenges like amino acid balance and branched-chain imbalances. Listen now on all major platforms!

"Corn fermented protein shows promise as an alternative to soy protein concentrate for nursery pigs."

Meet the guest: Dr. Ryan Samuel earned his B.S. in Chemistry from the University of Prince Edward Island, and both his M.S. and Ph.D. in Animal Science from the University of Alberta. As an Assistant Professor at South Dakota State University, he specializes in swine nutrition and production research.

What you will learn: 

• (00:00) Highlight
• (01:13) Introduction
• (02:23) Corn fermented protein
• (03:15) Soy protein replacement
• (04:33) Amino acid balance
• (05:13) Performance metrics
• (07:18) Feed intake observations
• (11:11) Closing thoughts

The Swine Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast is trusted and supported by innovative companies like:

- Fortiva

- Phibro

- Kemin

- Jyga

𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺.

Website: The Swine Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast

Instagram: The Swine Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast

LinkedIn: The Swine Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast

In this episode of The Swine Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. John O’Doherty discusses strategies to enhance gut health and optimize feed efficiency in swine. Dr. O'Doherty offers valuable insights into sustainable practices for the swine industry, from the research on seaweed extracts to the benefits of acidified grains. Listen now on your favorite podcast platform.

"Our research shows a 9% improvement in average daily gain in pigs fed with extracted laminarin from seaweed."

Meet the guest: Dr. John O'Doherty, a professor of monogastric nutrition at University College Dublin, specializes in swine nutrition. With a PhD in Animal Nutrition and over 300 peer-reviewed publications, Dr. O'Doherty's research emphasizes innovative solutions, particularly in gut health and sustainable feeding practices.

What you will learn: 

• (00:00) Highlight
• (01:11) Introduction
• (02:45) Gut health research
• (04:37) Seaweed bio-actives
• (07:26) Organic acids in preservation
• (10:20) Preserved grains impact
• (12:44) Microbiome improvements
• (13:58) Closing thoughts

The Swine Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast is trusted and supported by innovative companies like:

- Jyga

- Fortiva

- Phibro

- Kemin

𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺.

Website: The Swine Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast

Instagram: The Swine Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast

LinkedIn: The Swine Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast

In this episode of The Swine Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast, Yuechi Fu, a PhD student at Purdue University, shares insights into her research on live yeast supplementation in sows, emphasizing its impact on nutrient digestibility and immune support in piglets. You can listen in on all major platforms—don’t miss it!

"Our study observes enhanced immune markers in piglets from sows with yeast supplementation, indicating possible long-term benefits."

Meet the guest: Yuechi Fu is a Graduate Research Assistant pursuing her PhD in Animal Sciences, specializing in swine nutrition and physiology at Purdue University. With a Master’s in Animal Behavior and Welfare from Purdue and dual Bachelor’s degrees in Veterinary Medicine and English Language from Southwest University, her work focuses on advancing swine health and performance.

Click here to read the full research article!

What you will learn: 

• (00:00) Highlight
• (01:08) Introduction
• (02:32) Swine nutrition career 
• (04:04) Specialization insights
• (07:08) Staying updated
• (09:05) Swine industry networking 
• (10:52) Mentorship in the industry
• (11:19) Closing thoughts

The Swine Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast is trusted and supported by innovative companies like:

- Jyga

- Phibro

- Fortiva

- Kemin

𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺.

Website: Swine Nutrition Podcast Show

Instagram: Swine Campus

LinkedIn: Swine Campus

In this special year-end episode of The Swine Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. Laura Greiner, Associate Professor at Iowa State University and Director of the Iowa Pork Industry Center, provides invaluable guidance for professionals preparing for the year ahead. Dr. Greiner shares practical tips on career growth, networking, and staying informed in the ever-evolving swine nutrition field. As 2025 approaches, this episode is packed with insights to help you start the new year on the right track. Tune in now!

"If you're trying to decide where you want to go, I think the first question you want to ask is: which direction do I want to be involved in?"

Meet the guest: Dr. Laura Greiner is an Associate Professor at Iowa State University, specializing in swine nutrition and immunology. She serves as the Director of the Iowa Pork Industry Center and has a background in both teaching and research. Previously, she held significant roles in Carthage Veterinary Service, focusing on research and nutrition strategies for swine production. Dr. Greiner holds a Ph.D. in Animal Nutrition from Iowa State University.

What you will learn: 

• (00:00) Highlight
• (01:08) Introduction
• (02:32) Swine nutrition career 
• (04:04) Specialization insights
• (07:08) Staying updated
• (09:05) Swine industry networking 
• (10:52) Mentorship in the industry
• (11:19) Closing thoughts

The Swine Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast is trusted and supported by innovative companies like:

- Kemin

- Jyga

- Phibro

- Fortiva

𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺.

Website: Swine Nutrition Podcast Show

Instagram: Swine Campus

LinkedIn: Swine Campus

In this episode of The Swine Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. Drew Cassens from Texas A&M Agrilife takes a closer look at the key factors that influence pork quality, including meat tenderness, consumer perceptions, and the best cooking methods. He shares insights on innovative techniques for improving pork products and how these advancements are shaping consumer satisfaction. Don't miss this essential episode—now available on all major streaming platforms!

"Enhanced pork products retain more moisture and remain juicy even at higher cooking temperatures."

Meet the guest:

Dr. Drew Cassens is an Assistant Professor and Extension Meat Specialist at Texas A&M AgriLife, with extensive experience in meat science. He earned his Ph.D. from Oklahoma State University, focusing on meat quality. Dr. Cassens has held key academic roles, including Assistant Professor at Tarleton State University and has industry experience with Tyson Foods in Research & Development.

Connect with our guest on Social Media: LinkedIn

Click here to read the full research article!

Timestamps: 

• (00:00) Introduction 
• (01:16) Enhancing pork products
• (05:20) Educating pork consumers
• (07:26) Understanding enhanced pork
• (08:34) Consumer perception research
• (10:06) Consistency in pork industry
• (10:08) Closing thoughts

The Swine Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast is trusted and supported by innovative companies like:

- Kemin

- Jyga

- Phibro

- Fortiva

𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺.

Website: Swine Nutrition Podcast Show

Instagram: Swine Campus

LinkedIn: Swine Campus

In this special rerun episode of The Swine Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. Trey Kellner, Managing Partner and Swine Nutritionist at AMVC Nutritional Services explores the connection between heat stress and dietary fat utilization in pigs. Dr. Kellner offers actionable insights from research on fat digestibility, carcass quality, and critical factors shaping feed efficiency under stress. Don’t miss this chance to revisit valuable strategies for optimizing swine nutrition. Tune in now on all major platforms!

"Even with identical intake, heat stress dramatically affects fat deposition in carcasses."

Meet the guest:

Dr. Trey Kellner earned his Ph.D. and M.S. in Swine Nutrition from Iowa State University and a B.S. in Animal Sciences from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. As Managing Partner and Swine Nutritionist at AMVC Nutritional Services, he leads feed program design and implementation strategies.

Connect with our guest on Social Media: LinkedIn

• (00:00) Introduction
• (00:58) Heat stress & fat
• (03:42) Fat source
• (05:09) Free fatty acids
• (05:52) Lipid cascade effects
• (10:13) Carcass fat
• (10:54) Closing thoughts

The Swine Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast is trusted and supported by innovative companies like:

- Kemin

- Jyga

- Phibro

- Fortiva

𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺.

Website: Swine Nutrition Podcast Show

Instagram: Swine Campus

LinkedIn: Swine Campus

In this episode of The Swine Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast, Nelson Arias, a Graduate student at the University of Illinois, shares findings from his research on high-protein distiller grains in pig diets. Nelson discusses the impact of different processing methods on nutrient values and potential benefits for swine nutrition. Tune in to understand how these findings could enhance nutritional strategies and improve feed efficiency in the swine industry. Listen now!

"As the ethanol industry expands, nutritional values in distillers grains are impacted, which affects their use in swine diets."

What will you learn: 

• Ethanol industry's impact
• Digestibility variations
• Fiber's effect on energy
• Protein concentration effects
• Manufacturing process differences

Meet the guest:

Nelson Camilo Ruiz Arias, a Graduate student at the University of Illinois, researches nutrient digestibility in swine diets. With a background in animal sciences from the National University of Colombia, he’s now part of Dr. Hans H. Stein’s Monogastric Nutrition Laboratory.

Connect with our guest on Social Media: LinkedIn

Click here to read the full research article!

The Swine Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast is trusted and supported by innovative companies like:

- Kemin

- Jyga

- Phibro

𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺.

Website: Swine Nutrition Podcast Show

Instagram: Swine Campus

LinkedIn: Swine Campus

In this episode of The Swine Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast, Dillon Mellick, from Kemin Industries, outlines strategies and challenges in disease control, discussing approaches in biosecurity, feed additives, and nutrition's role in immune resilience. Tune in to explore effective biosecurity practices for swine. Now streaming on all major podcast platforms!

"We need to look at how we can layer biosecurity strategies and create synergies to get through challenging times, leading to the most profitable, healthy animal."

Meet the guest:

Dillon Mellick, a Technical Services Manager at Kemin Industries, holds a Master’s in Animal Sciences from North Carolina State University. With over 13 years in the industry, Dillon supports pathogen control through research and technical sales, focusing on biosecurity, feed safety, and immune-enhancing strategies.

Connect with our guest on Social Media: LinkedIn

• (00:00) Introduction
• (01:23) Pathogens affecting swine
• (02:12) Pathogens main challenges
• (03:05) Pathogen control
• (05:43) Nutrition & immunity
• (06:50) Future of pathogen control
• (08:23) Closing thoughts

The Swine Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast is trusted and supported by innovative companies like:

- Kemin

- Jyga

- Phibro

𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺.

Website: Swine Nutrition Podcast Show

Instagram: Swine Campus

LinkedIn: Swine Campus