The Swine Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast

There are several types of corn distillers dried grains with solubles available and they are often used in swine diets in order to reduce the cost of the diet. To discuss its impacts, we had a great conversation with Andres Toloza in this episode of The Swine Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast. Andres gives a detailed overview of a study he conducted at Kansas State University, focusing on the impact of...

Decisions in swine nutrition and production often result from a multifaceted approach, considering many factors that go beyond the apparent biological implications. The studies led by Dr. Ashley DeDecker and her team continue to spark insightful discussions in swine nutrition and production. Dr. DeDecker is studying the comparison between mash and pellet feed for sow diets, specifically at micron...

Narasin is an ionophore used in animal production that can enhance weight gain and feed efficiency in growing-finishing swine by modifying hindgut fermentation. In this episode, I talked to Dr. Michael Shields about his research on a meta-regression analysis that was conducted to evaluate the effects of narasin inclusion in growing-finishing pig diets to predict average daily gain and feed efficie...

Manganese (Mn), a vital trace mineral, supports metabolism and bone structure, functions as a component of several enzymes, and is involved in carbohydrate, lipid, and protein metabolism. In this episode, my conversation with Hilario Cordoba unveils his research on the effects of manganese in growth performance and carcass characteristics. Delving into Cordoba's enlightening discussion, we gli...

Methionine is vital for the health and nutrition of sows, especially during lactation. It is an essential amino acid as it is crucial to various physiological functions, including protein synthesis, enzyme activity, and molecule formation. In this episode, I talk with Cierra Kozole about her research on swine nutrition, focusing specifically on the impact of dietary methionine on nitrogen retentio...

Optimizing branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) to lysine ratios in swine diets could improve the growth, muscle development, and overall health of pigs. In this episode, I interviewed Dr. Ryan Samuel, an Assistant Professor of Monogastric Nutrition at South Dakota State University. We discuss Dr. Samuel's research on the effects of different BCAA to lysine ratios on carcass data, growth, performa...

Facing adversity at an early age significantly impacts organ development and predisposes pigs to diseases later in life. Research on swine has found that early weaning stress induces long-term intestinal barrier dysfunction, but such mechanism is not yet fully understood. In this episode, Dr. Liang-En Yu discusses the study he conducted to evaluate the epithelium component cells, along with the pr...

In swine nutrition, both mash and pellet feed are crucial to provide essential nutrients to pigs. However, their physical form, processing methods, and associated challenges differ. That means that deciding which form to use depends on various factors such as herd size, nutritional requirements, production goals, and available resources. In this episode, Dr. Roman Moreno discusses the challenges a...

When it comes to plant feed ingredients, pigs can effectively digest phosphorus (P) bound to phytate provided that phytase is supplemented. Feed phosphates can also enhance the digestibility of P, as they possess a high level of P digestibility and are devoid of phytate. Regardless of that, it is possible that phytate present in plant-based ingredients may form complexes with the P derived from fe...

Despite playing a significant role in the fermentation of dietary nutrients, the cecum and its effects on the metabolism and health of pigs are poorly understood. With that in mind, in this episode, Dr. Burkey discusses a study he worked on aimed at developing a cecectomized pig model in order to evaluate the cecum microbial community structure in cecectomized finisher pigs which were fed a high-f...

In swine, arginine participates in important functions related to the maintenance of intestinal health. However, nutritional practices for weaned pigs today may make the mistake of ignoring such crucial regulatory roles played by it regarding gut health and function. So in this episode, Dr. Jorge Perez Palencia discusses the research he has been working on that provides different levels of arginin...

Considering that swine nutrition constitutes the majority of production costs, it is vital to consider economic factors when formulating feeds. While simply increasing soybean meal levels can improve pig performance, one must take into account the final cost and market projections, which are crucial in determining the most cost-effective formulation strategy. In this episode, Dr. Jamil Faccin disc...

The efficient metabolization of trace minerals, such as zinc and copper, is essential for the well-being and growth of post-weaning piglets. Along with proper supplementation and feeding strategies, those minerals are critical to supporting the physiological processes, immune function, and overall health of the animals during this crucial stage of development. So in this episode, Dr. Danyel Bueno...

Branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) play a crucial role in the nutrition and health of pigs. Namely, leucine, isoleucine, and valine have to be provided on the diet because they are essential for muscle tissue growth, development, and maintenance in swine. In this episode, Dalton Humphrey, M.Sc., discusses amino acid metabolism and requirements, essentially BCAAs, of nursery pigs. Meet the guest: D...

Managing swine manure is a critical environmental challenge that must be met in order to curtail greenhouse gas emissions, alleviate pollution hazards, and maximize the beneficial utilization of organic waste in agriculture. By integrating inventive strategies with cutting-edge technologies, the agricultural sector can achieve that goal of making substantial advancements in emission reduction and...

Fiber has a critical role in the diets of gestation sows, but what exactly do we know about its composition and its impact on the metabolism of the animals? Can diets be optimized to account for all the benefits of fiber to gestation sows? In this episode, Thomas Crome discusses his studies that involve different fiber types and focus on sow metabolism and microbiome. The research compares diets c...

Using data to monitor and improve swine performance is increasingly important today, so how can we improve collection and interpretation in order to use it more effectively? There are novel ways in which data can be understood for us to get better insights into how swine researchers can improve its use through different indicators and proper actions generated from various sources. In this episode,...

Manganese is an essential nutrient in pig diets. First, because it plays a crucial role in various physiological and biochemical processes, such as bone development in piglets. Second, because it has antioxidant properties, since enzymes help minimize the production of reactive oxygen species and the synthesis of a precursor to cholesterol, for instance. In this episode, Dr. Clint Edmunds discusse...

Copper and zinc are trace elements which are commonly used in pig feed due to their growth promoting and antimicrobial properties. However, overuse can lead to their excessive excretion in manure, thus leading to negative environmental consequences. So it’s critical not only to consider reducing the overuse but also choosing the best source for these minerals. In this episode, Dr. Megan Edwards di...

Weaning involves various stressors that affect the intestinal tract of pigs, cause immunological and behavioral changes, and expose the animals to pathogens, new diets, and social interactions. Such impacts of early-life stressors can have lasting effects on the health of the pigs, but it may be possible to strengthen their immune system by modulating it. With that in mind, Mitchell discusses in t...

It is a well-established fact that feed enzymes can promote growth and optimize nutrient utilization in animal production, but how much do we still need to learn about its effects on swine? In this episode, I talk with Dr. Vitor Moita about some of the studies he performed testing and evaluating the impact of xylanase and phytase on the gut microbiota, bone health, and nutrient digestibility in nu...

Prolapse causes lots of damage to sows, to swine productions, and to producers. So having a deeper understanding of its causes can help us find solutions for the issue by combining genetics, nutritional, and management strategies. In the second part of this two-episode series, Jared Harshman talks about collagen, explores hormone results found in the analysis of the incidence of prolapse, explains...

Many factors can cause sow prolapse, including genetic and non-genetic aspects. The issue can increase sow and preweaning mortality, as well as loss of unborn piglets, all of which affect profits and production. In the episode, Jared Harshman discusses the pilot study he has worked on that evaluates the incidence of prolapse in sows and aims to determine its causes and risk factors. The first part...

Pigs cannot effectively utilize phytate phosphorus, since they lack the enzyme to break it down. In turn, when phytase is added to swine diets, more phosphorus is released from phytate and thus, absorbed by the animal. That reduces the need to supplement inorganic phosphorus, which is expensive and can cause environmental problems when excreted in manure. However, is that the end of it, or can phy...

Vitamin A plays a vital role not only when it comes to the vision, but also to the immune and reproductive systems of swine, thus contributing to the overall health and performance of the animals. However, its precise effects remain a subject of ongoing research. In this episode, I talk with Dr. Sarah Elefson about her study that examines the impact of fat inclusion levels, fat sources, and supple...