SwineTime with Pipestone

Latest Episodes:

Episode #65: Combating E. coli Sep 17, 2024

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In this episode of the SwineTime podcast, Dr. Spencer Wayne is joined by colleague Dr. Emily McDowell of Pipestone Veterinary Services for an in-depth discussion on managing E. coli in weaning pigs. They explore the evolving strategies and technologies, especially around weaning, a stage where pigs are most vulnerable to infections. Dr. McDowell emphasizes the importance of early intervention, outlining how industry best practices have shifted as E. coli strains adapt and become more resistant to treatments.

Preventing E. coli in weaning pigs starts with maintaining strict hygiene in barns. The use of “all-in, all-out” production methods, thorough cleaning between groups, and ensuring water quality through regular testing are vital steps. They also discuss antibiotics and water acidifiers as potential strategies to manage outbreaks. The episode stresses working closely with veterinarians and nutritionists to create comprehensive health plans. A holistic approach is crucial since E. coli resistance can render treatments ineffective, making integrated management tactics necessary for long-term success.

Episode #64: Safeguarding Food & Farm - Inside NBAF Aug 13, 2024

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In this episode of the SwineTime podcast, hosted by Dr. Spencer Wayne of Pipestone Veterinary Services, listeners are treated to a fascinating discussion with Dr. Maggie Behnke, Director of the Animal Resources Unit and attending veterinarian at the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility (NBAF) in Manhattan, Kansas. Dr. Karyn Havas, PIPESTONE’s Director of Foreign Animal Disease also joins the conversation.

Dr. Behnke provides an in-depth look at NBAF, an advanced research facility dedicated to studying and combating the world's most dangerous animal diseases. The facility, which will replace the aging Plum Island Animal Disease Center, is designed to protect the U.S. from transboundary, emerging, and zoonotic diseases that threaten the food supply, agricultural economy, and public health. With stringent safety protocols, NBAF features biosafety level-2, -3 and -4 containment laboratories. It’s BSL-4 containment spaces have the highest level of safety protocols and are capable of housing large livestock — a first for the United States. NBAF’s capabilities allow USDA to expand its research and diagnostic mission with foot-and-mouth disease to also include diseases like Japanese encephalitis and Nipah virus.

The conversation highlights NBAF's crucial role in rapid diagnostics, research on disease transmission, and vaccine development. Dr. Wayne and his guests discuss the strategic location of NBAF in Manhattan, Kansas and emphasize the facility's transparency and public engagement efforts, ensuring community trust and safety. This episode provides a comprehensive overview of the cutting-edge work at NBAF and its significant impact on the pork industry and beyond.

Industry Insights: Health Threats and Global Trade Jul 10, 2024

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In this episode of SwineTime, host Dr. Spencer Wayne dives into critical health issues and their impact on industry relations and trade with guests Terry Wolters, VP of Customer & Industry Relations with PIPESTONE, and Dr. Joel Nerem, a practicing veterinarian and Director of Industry Relations with Pipestone Veterinary Services. The discussion centers around the global spread of African Swine Fever, which has reached more countries in the past five years, underscoring the need for ongoing vigilance. The episode also addresses the implications of High Path Avian Influenza, especially its cross-species transmission risks, and the importance of biosecurity measures.

Wolters and Dr. Nerem highlight the crucial role of health-related efforts in maintaining trade channels, which constitute 25% of total production, emphasizing the necessity of preserving these channels amidst health challenges. They stress the significance of traceability in managing outbreaks of foreign animal diseases, detailing its pivotal role in current disease prevention and control strategies. The conversation also touches on trade agreements between countries.

PIPESTONE’s mission is “Helping Farmers Today Create the Farms of Tomorrow.” The SwineTime podcast was created for pig farmers and individual pork producers around the country. Hosted by Dr. Wayne, the podcast contains pork industry news, advancements in animal care, and how to enhance your productivity. Monthly podcasts are available on ⁠Pipestone.com⁠ and your favorite streaming platform.

Episode #62: Feeding Success with Commodity Management Jun 11, 2024

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In this episode of SwineTime, Dr. Spencer Wayne sits down with Jake Geisler and Hayden Kerkaert, both with Pipestone Nutrition, to chat about the basics of commodity management.

They discuss the tools farmers can use to save money on better ingredients and boost their bottom line. Jake emphasizes the importance of customer service, simplifying the process, and delivering high-quality ingredients straight to the mill, so farmers can focus on what matters most—their farms.

PIPESTONE’s mission is “Helping Farmers Today Create the Farms of Tomorrow.” The SwineTime podcast was created for pig farmers and individual pork producers around the country. Hosted by Dr. Wayne, the podcast contains pork industry news, advancements in animal care, and how to enhance your productivity. Monthly podcasts are available on Pipestone.com and your favorite streaming platform.

Episode #61: What is SHIC? May 29, 2024

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In this episode of the SwineTime podcast, host Dr. Spencer Wayne interviews Dr. Megan Niederwerder, Executive Director of the Swine Health Information Center (SHIC). SHIC, established in 2015, focuses on identifying and mitigating emerging disease risks for the U.S. swine herd.

SHIC is supported by pork checkoff funds and its mission involves global disease monitoring, data analysis, coordinated communications, preparedness activities, and targeted research investments to develop new tools and technologies for swine health. Drs. Niederwerder and Wayne discuss SHIC’s work surrounding emerging diseases like African swine fever (ASF), classical swine fever (CSF), pseudorabies, and Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV). SHIC also supports programs like the Morrison Swine Health Monitoring Project and the Swine Disease Reporting System to track domestic disease trends.

Listeners are encouraged to visit SHIC’s website (swinehealth.org) for resources, biosecurity protocols, and to sign up for newsletters with monthly disease monitoring reports and research updates.

Tune in for practical insights and the latest in swine health!

Episode #60: Farrow OR Finish - Retrofitting Facilities May 14, 2024

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In this episode, Dr. Spencer Wayne sits down with Nick Fitzgerald, Director of Business Development for PIPESTONE for a great discussion on facilities.

The pair delve into essential considerations for optimizing swine farming operations. From wean-to-finish construction to barn remodeling and the repurposing of sow units, explore strategies and innovative solutions to enhance productivity and efficiency on your farm. Gain valuable insights into ventilation systems, flooring types, and the importance of expert consultation for successful project execution. If you are considering retrofitting your facilities, don't miss out on this expert advice.

Episode #59: Warm Weather Ventilation Checklist Apr 09, 2024

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In this episode, host Dr. Spencer Wayne sits down with Erin McCoy, a veterinary physician assistant with Pipestone Veterinary Services, to discuss proper barn ventilation as the weather begins to warm up.

Erin shares her warm-weather ventilation checklist and emphasizes the importance of opening soffit doors and ensuring proper ventilation by uncovering fans. She provides practical advice on checking alarms, setting emergency thermostats, and maintaining steady ventilation to ensure pig comfort and health. Erin highlights the significance of monitoring barn conditions and observing pig behavior for indications of discomfort or stress.

Throughout the conversation, Spencer and Erin stress the importance of proactive management in optimizing swine barn ventilation systems, ultimately contributing to better pig health and productivity.

Episode #58: Using Research and Production Data to Drive Genetics Mar 12, 2024

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Join Dr. Spencer Wayne on the latest episode of SwineTime, where he dives deep into swine genetics with experts Erin Little, Pipestone Research, and Carrie Pollard, Pipestone Business.

In this engaging discussion, Erin and Carrie discuss how PIPESTONE is unlocking valuable insights into swine genetics for producers using both research and production data.

With over 4 million pigs' worth of production data at their fingertips through the FarmStats program, Carrie reveals the power of records analysis in driving informed decision-making for pork producers. From mortality rates to feed conversions, learn how this wealth of information transforms how we understand and optimize genetic lines in the swine industry.

Erin shares the journey from data to action, where findings from cutting-edge research initiatives are transformed into actionable insights for pork producers. By simulating real-world conditions within commercial barns, they can observe how different genetic lines perform in various environments and management practices. This level of scrutiny allows researchers to identify patterns, trends, and areas of improvement, ultimately driving advancements in swine genetics and production practices.

The trio underscores PIPESTONE's dedication to research and data collection, aiming to equip producers with the knowledge and tools needed to navigate the dynamic landscape of pork production.

Episode #57: Pig Pathogens: Understanding Current Diseases Feb 13, 2024

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Join Dr. Spencer Wayne and Dr. Cameron Schmitt in a discussion of the ever-evolving landscape of swine diseases. In this episode, Dr. Schmitt, Executive Vice President of Pipestone Veterinary Services, delves deep into the nuances of various pathogens affecting swine health today. From the notorious PRRS virus to resilient strains of E. coli, they dissect the challenges and advancements in disease management strategies.

The pair begin the discussion with the infamous diseases sharing insights and practical advice, then transition to a few emerging viruses. With their down-to-earth approach, you'll gain a clearer understanding of the ongoing battle to safeguard swine well-being.

Episode #56: Impacting Producers through Diagnostics Feb 05, 2024

Show notes

In this episode of the SwineTime podcast, host Dr. Spencer Wayne interviews Dr. Darin Madson, a diagnostician at the Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory at Iowa State University. Dr. Madson shares his background in swine production, veterinary school, and his journey to becoming a diagnostic pathologist. The conversation covers the expansion of the diagnostic lab at Iowa State, new technologies in diagnostics, and specific tests like next-generation sequencing and RNA scope.

Dr. Madson highlights the significance of the new diagnostic lab at Iowa State, which is expected to be one of the newest and most advanced labs in the United States. The discussion also touches on the cost of diagnostics for producers, the value of next-gen sequencing, and the importance of interpreting findings in correlation with clinical information.

This episode explores RNA scope technology and its application in understanding the significance of pathogens. Drs. Wayne and Madson emphasize the importance of careful interpretation, as the detection of a pathogen doesn't necessarily imply causation or correlation with clinical symptoms.

The episode concludes with advice for producers including a reminder for robust biosecurity measures during cold months.

Monthly podcasts are available on Spotify, Google Music, iTunes, and on Pipestone.com.

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