The Squeal, by PIC.com

Genetic progress starts with making the right selection decisions—and an updated genetic index helps ensure those decisions reflect the needs of today's pork industry. In Part 1 of this two-part series, our guests explain what a genetic index is, why indexes must evolve over time, and what prompted the latest update. The conversation explores how production data, economic conditions, customer prio...

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 inform...

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...

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 ventil...

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, mi...

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 tra...

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...

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 c...

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 re...

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. Stev...

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...

On today's episode of The Squeal, our host Emily Mauch-Swinford, PIC Genetic Research Scientist leads a conversation to introduce the science, purpose, and vision around the Pork Chop Studio. Our guests, Brandon Fields, PIC Product Development Sr. Manager, and Justin Holl PIC Product Development Sr. Director explain the technology and development behind the camera technology that can tell the indu...

On this episode of The Squeal, we're taking a closer look at one of the most critical, but often overlooked, components of swine health management: truck wash biosecurity.  Our host, Dr. Rebecca Robbins, PIC Health Assurance Veterinarian is joined by Dr. Kate Dion, Postdoctoral Research Associate at Iowa State University, and Emiliano Hidalgo, PIC Technical Operations Manager to discuss the import...

In episode two of the Global Sire Traits series, host Dr. Dan Hamilton , PIC Sr. Director, Americas-Product Performance,  continues the conversation by taking a deeper dive into how sire traits are not only prioritized—but put into practice across different regions. Joining Dan for this conversation is Dr. Saskia Bloemhof , PIC Genetic Services Director, Brandon Fields , PIC Product Development Sr...

In this first episode of the Global Sire Traits series, host Dr. Dan Hamilton, PIC Sr. Director, Americas-Product Performance, brings together experts from across the globe to explore how sire trait priorities vary by region- and what those differences mean for producers, worldwide. Joining Dan for this conversation is Dr. Saskia Bloemhof , PIC Genetic Services Director, Brandon Fields , PIC Produ...

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 Service...

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...

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, reproducti...

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 ,...

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. Togeth...

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...

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 e...

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...

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 a...