The Squeal

As temperatures rise, so do the challenges of keeping lactating sows eating, healthy, and productive. In this episode of The Squeal , our nutrition and production experts dive into practical summer feeding strategies to combat heat stress and maintain sow performance. Our host, Brie Quick (PIC Technical Services Manager) leads the conversation with Dr. Lori Kociemba (PIC Technical Services Manager...

In Part 2 of our biosecurity series on controlling fomites and external threats, we move from identifying risks to implementing solutions. Our expert guests return to share real-world examples of how farms are successfully managing external threats and reducing the risk of disease introduction. From enhanced sanitation protocols to controlled access points and visitor management, we explore the to...

In today's episode of The Squeal , we take a deep dive into the hidden risks posed by fomites—objects and materials that can carry disease—and explore the strategies producers can use to mitigate external threats to herd health. From contaminated boots and feed deliveries to visitors and equipment, our expert guests break down where the vulnerabilities lie and how to build a stronger line of defen...

On today's follow-up episode of The Squeal, we continue the conversation on parity 1 development and its lasting impact on sow longevity and herd profitability. Our host, Brie Quick (PIC Technical Services Manager) returns with Kendall Weger (PIC Technical Services Manager) and Nathan Schleman (Director of Sow Production, Belstra Milling Group) to take a deeper dive into common pitfalls in gilt de...

On today's episode of The Squeal , we dive into the critical role of parity 1 development in building better, longer-lasting sows. Our host, Brie Quick (PIC Technical Services Manager) is joined by Kendall Weger (PIC Technical Servcies Manager) and Nathan Schleman (Director of Sow Production, Belstra Milling Group) to discuss the keys to setting young females up for success — from gilt selection a...

In this second installment of our "Beating the Heat" series on  The Squeal, our host, Tori Walers (PIC Technical Communications and Wean-to-Finish) dives deeper into strategies for keeping pigs comfortable and healthy as temperatures rise. Our expert guests, Nat Stas (PIC Wean-to-Finish Director) and Isaiah Spath (PIC Wean-to-Finish Manager) return to explore advanced cooling technologies, ventila...

As temperatures rise, keeping your barn cool and comfortable is essential for the health and performance of your pigs. Our host, Tori Walters (PIC Technical Communications Specialist) is joined by Nat Stas (PIC Wean to Finish Director) and Isaiah Spath (PIC Wean to Finish Manager) to discuss tips and recommendations on preparing for the upcoming warm weather across North America. In this episode,...

In this episode of The Squeal , host Dr. Lindsay Case (PIC Technical Director of Product Sustainability) continues the conversation on the future of the PRRS-resistant pigs in consumer markets. Joining her are Marisa Pooley (PIC Director of Communications & Engagement) and Staci Covkin (Circana, Principal of Innovation Consumer & Shopper Insights), two experts in communications and consumer percep...

On today's episode of The Squeal, our host, Dr. Lindsay Case (PIC Technical Director, Product Sustainability) is joined by Marisa Pooley (PIC Director of Communications and Engagement) and Staci Covkin (Principal, Innovation Consumer & Shopper Insights - Circana.) The guests share insights into consumer acceptance in anticipation of the PRRS-Resistant Pig. 

On today's episode of The Squeal, we are joined by Jason Pooley (PIC Health Programs Manager) and Megan Mitchell (PIC Health Operations Manager) to share insights on how people can impact the biosecurity of a farm. Our host, Dr. Rebecca Robbins (PIC Health Assuance Veterinarian) leads the conversation to better explain the importance of biosecurity and how people can help protect farms from a dise...

On today's episode of The Squeal, our host, David McGee (PIC Supply Chain Senior Specialist) is joined by Reda Salimi (Country View Family Farms - Production Manager) and Gustavo Parizotto Santian (Country View Family Farms - Sow Farm Manager) to discuss the selection process to maintain high quality females in a system. 

On today's episode of The Squeal, Jack Kelly (PIC Key Account Manager) leads a conversation with Saskia Bloemhof (PIC Genetic Services Director) and Megan James (PIC Genetic Services Geneticist) to explain the value of an index point. The group explains what an index point is, how it is determined, how often the data is evaluated, and how it can play a role in making improvements in a system. 

On this week's episode of The Squeal, our host, Clay Eastwood (PIC Applied Meat Scientist) is joined by Neal Matthews (PIC Applied Meat Scientist) and Alexandre Furtado da Rosa (AgroCeres PIC). During this conversation, our guests share about the recent Compass milestone of adding 50 plants to the benchmark program and provide more details on how this program can help make improvements to packing...

On this episode of The Squeal, our host, Dr. Clay Eastwood (PIC Applied Meat Scientist) is joined by Brandon Field (PIC Product Development Senior Manager) and Dr. Justin Holl (PIC Product Development Senior Director) to discuss the relationship between genetics and meat quality. The guests dive deeper into the areas of focus for meat quality and how PIC genetics can play a critical role in the ca...

On this episode of The Squeal, our host, Tori Walters (PIC Technical Communications Specialist) is joined by Nat Stas (PIC Technical Services Director), Adam Walters (Tosh Farms Finishing Manager), and Austin Baker (Hogslat Ventilation Manager) to discuss the process of preparing a barn for cooler temperatures. This conversation provides many helpful insights into equipment management, placement p...

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. On this episode, our guests share tips on how to use the caliper to track body condition on your farm. 

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,...