The Squeal

On today's episode of The Squeal, our host Nichole Wilson (PIC Account Manager) is joined by Dr. Lori Kociemba (PIC Technical Services Manager) and Dr. Kyle Coble (JBS Live Pork, Director of Nutritional Services) as they walk through the importance of a body condition management program for the females on your farm. Our guests explain what data should be collected and evaluated to continue to make...

On this episode of The Squeal, our host Tori Walters (PIC Technical Communications Specialist) is joined by Carine Vier (PIC Nutrionist), Lori Kociemba (PIC Technical Services Manager) and Nat Stas (PIC NA Wean to Finish Director) to discuss the process of a Technical Services visit from PIC. The guests offer tips to prepare for the visit, what should be expected, and the goals of each visit. This...

There are constantly new discoveries and data shared to improve swine production. These discoveries are found by research projects to enhance and improve the way pigs are raised to ultimately impact the end product that is purchased by consumers. On today's episode of The Squeal, our host, Luis Zaragoza (PIC Product Development Manager) leads the conversation between research experts Dr. Laura Gre...

The down time between groups of pigs can provide opportunity for maintenance repairs, cleaning, and disinfecting. On today's episode of The Squeal, our guests share tips on how to prepare a barn for an incoming group of pigs. Our host, Erik Darrington (PIC Account Manager) is joined by Jason Pooley (PIC Health Program Manager) and Isaiah Spath (PIC Technical Services- Wean to Finish) to discuss bi...

There are several moving parts when transporting weaned pigs from the sow farm to their next destination. The transition can be smoother if there is strong communication between the sow farm and the wean-finish site. There is always opportunity for these communication practices to improve, and our guests from Brenneman Pork share their experiences and tips to help maintain strong communication. Ou...

On today's episode of The Squeal, our guests share their experiences on maintaing employee satisfaction to retain great employees. Our host, Ashley Hengen (PIC Human Resources) is joined by Chock Booher (PIC Technical Services, Wean to Finish) and Jorge Cajamarca (PIC Technical Services, Female Reproduction) as they walk through different scenarios to increase employee happiness. There are many di...

There's no doubt that hiring and retaining labor is an ongoing challenge for the swine industry. On today's episode of The Squeal, our guests share their experiences with successful training opportunities and tools to onboard new employees and provide continued trainings for experienced employees. Our host, Ashley Hengen (PIC Human Resources) is joined by Chock Booher (PIC Technical Services, Wean...

Constructing a strong and productive placement plan can be critical to the success of a wean to finish or nursery operation. Joining us for part two of this series is Jim Lolkema with Belstra Milling and Isaiah Spath with the PIC Wean to Finish and Product Development teams. Our guests share their experiences of a successful placement plan with our host, Nat Stas, the PIC Wean to Finish Director. ...

Constructing a strong and productive placement plan can be critical to the success of a wean to finish or nursery operation. Joining us for this series is Jim Lolkema with Belstra Milling and Isaiah Spath with the PIC Wean to Finish and Product Development teams. Our guests share their experiences and knowledge of a successful placement plan and the best strategies for organizing a barn.  At PIC,...

This is part two of a two part episode series on weaned weight efficiency. Iowa State Univerity's Dr. Rodger Main (https://www.linkedin.com/in/rodger-main-48b31078/), Seaboard Foods' Josh Flohr (https://www.linkedin.com/in/rodger-main-48b31078/), and PIC's Nat Stas (https://www.linkedin.com/in/nat-stas/) discuss practical steps for improvement and best practices. At PIC, our goal is to make our cu...

This two part episode series is on weaned weight efficiency. Iowa State Univerity's Dr. Rodger Main (https://www.linkedin.com/in/rodger-main-48b31078/), Seaboard Foods' Josh Flohr (https://www.linkedin.com/in/rodger-main-48b31078/), and PIC's Nat Stas (https://www.linkedin.com/in/nat-stas/) meet up to share thoughts on how to measure weaned weight efficiency, and the factors affecting it. At PIC,...

PICs communications authority Tim Heiller (PIC Senior Account Manager) sits down to discuss effective communications, how you could improve, and what it could mean to you. At PIC, our goal is to make our customers the most successful pig producers by providing them with the best genetics. We know our business success depends on yours. Thanks for listening to 'The Squeal', PIC's swine management po...

We are continuing our warm weather breeding conversation, looking at checklists for preparation and planning for successful conception. Kevin Isler (Kalmbach Feeds Sow Production Supervisor https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-isler-24928a19b/), Stacey Voight (PIC Reproductive Technical Services https://www.linkedin.com/in/stacey-voight-3268aa150/), and Bradley Schimmer (PIC Technical Services) talk...

Time marches on and it's bringing summer with it. Is your breeding program ready? What does that look like for the summer months?  Kevin Isler (Kalmbach Feeds Sow Production Supervisor https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-isler-24928a19b/), Stacey Voight (PIC Reproductive Technical Services https://www.linkedin.com/in/stacey-voight-3268aa150/), and Bradley Schimmer (PIC Technical Services) talk about...

In this Squeal episode, the group discusses the maximizing weaning performance, focusing on real practical advice from farrowing experts.  Nicole Comstock (Carthage Systems https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicole-jockisch-67a16063/) and Juan Orozco (PIC) provide some perspective on how often eyes on the sow, what should we be looking for, and what to do about it. At PIC, our goal is to make our custome...

In this Squeal episode, the group discusses the maximizing weaning performance, focusing on keys to animal care and micro environment management.  Nicole Comstock (Carthage Systems https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicole-jockisch-67a16063/) and Juan Orozco (PIC) provide some perspective on getting gilts into and through the farrowing unit with a positive initial experience to help impact long term sow...

In this Squeal episode, the group discusses the gilt development unit (GDU) as a large contributor to the success of the overall breeding program.  Gilt development unit experts Jennifer Patterson (Research Associate at Livestock Gentec, University of Alberta, https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-patterson-aa30a957) and Kendall Weger (PIC Technical Services (https://www.linkedin.com/in/kendall-weg...

What are the benefits of a strong veterinarian relationship? Dr. Deanne Hemker (PIC Health Assurance Veterinarian) and Jason Pooley (PIC Health Programs Manager https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-pooley-bbb8566/ ) share information on developing and maximizing your servicing veterinarian as a key biosecurity resource. They address how often your veterinarian should be on site and what you should ex...

Walking the barns is an activity that many seem like second nature to most of the people doing it. But why do we need to walk the barns? How should it be done? And how often? Stacey Voight (PIC Technical Services https://www.linkedin.com/in/stacey-voight-3268aa150/) and Isaiah Spath (PIC Technical Services) share the purpose and intent of walking the barns, providing a checklist for this time well...

The Squeal wraps up a two part conversation on transportation handling. In this episode the panel talks about the tools and tips to move pigs down aisles and across the country. On the panel are Jason McAlister (CEO Cloverleaf Animal Welfare Systems https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-mcalister-b3b93381/) and Chock Booher (PIC Technical Service Team for Latin America https://www.linkedin.com/in/choc...

The Squeal begins an interesting two part conversation on transportation handling. In this episode the panel talks about the best use of facilities, training, and personnel. On the panel are Jason McAlister (CEO Cloverleaf Animal Welfare Systems https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-mcalister-b3b93381/) and Chock Booher (PIC Technical Service Team for Latin America https://www.linkedin.com/in/chock-bo...

For the New Year The Squeal provides a practical and achievable conversation with Tim Heller on great bosses and how to be one. Key great boss simple tasks: Day to day coaching, get the right people on your team, define and communicate what your team's role is in the company, and get results. Resources: * "Book: Radical Candor" - https://www.radicalcandor.com/ * "Book: Good To Great" - https://www...

The Squeal continues its focus on practical production information. This episode series looks at early pig care with an expert panel including Mandy Gerhart (Swine Nutritionist, JBS Live Pork, https://www.linkedin.com/in/mandygerhart/), Isaiah Spath (Sr. Validation Specialist & Wean-Finish Technical Services, PIC, https://www.linkedin.com/in/isaiah-spath-a028502a3/), and Gary Godoy (Wean to Finish...

The Squeal continues its focus on practical production information. This episode series looks at early pig care with an expert panel including Mandy Gerhart (Swine Nutritionist, JBS Live Pork, https://www.linkedin.com/in/mandygerhart/), Isaiah Spath (Sr. Validation Specialist & Wean-Finish Technical Services, PIC, https://www.linkedin.com/in/isaiah-spath-a028502a3/), and Gary Godoy (Wean to Finish...

Gilt selection is fundamental to successful breeding outcomes. This episode continues the conversation on gilt selection with marking techniques and selection criteria with PIC's Pro Select Program. Joining us are PIC's Alison Bueltel (https://www.linkedin.com/in/alison-bueltel-744120150/), Malcolm Turley (https://www.linkedin.com/in/malcolm-turley-068b7213/), and David McGee (https://www.linkedin...