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.

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. 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 Spotify, Google Music, iTunes, and on Pipestone.com.

In this episode of the SwineTime podcast, Dr. Spencer Wayne welcomes Dr. Kiah Berg, Senior Supervisor of Nutrition with Pipestone Nutrition, to discuss the state of feed costs and her recommendations for proper nutrition strategies. Dr. Berg explains the recent trends in feed costs, highlighting the notable decrease in prices for key ingredients such as corn and soybean meal, resulting in significant cost savings for pig production. Dr. Berg underscores the importance of regularly monitoring ingredient prices and reformulating diets to optimize cost efficiency while maintaining nutritional quality. Drs. Wayne and Berg emphasize the need for adaptive feed management, they discuss the frequency of reformulation, suggesting regular reviews based on cost savings thresholds and market dynamics. Furthermore, Dr. Berg stresses the importance of adjusting feed orders based on herd size and mortality events to prevent overfeeding and optimize feed utilization. Overall, the podcast offers valuable insights and practical strategies for swine producers to enhance productivity and profitability in the pork industry.

In this episode of the SwineTime podcast, hosted by Dr. Spencer Wayne, the featured guest is Dr. Scott Dee who shares valuable insights for young veterinarians, emphasizing the importance of perseverance, recalling his journey from being told he couldn’t attend vet school to becoming a prominent figure in the field. The discussion also touches on the balance between scientific and artistic talents, with Dr. Dee highlighting his creative approach to scientific problem-solving. Mentorship is a central theme as he encourages young veterinarians to remember and appreciate those who have played significant roles in their development. The conversation also explores Dr. Dee’s experiences living in Brazil, underscoring how exposure to different cultures and witnessing poverty profoundly shaped his perspective on making a positive impact on both animal and human lives. The pair further cover themes such as embracing adversity, finding joy in one’s work, and the ultimate goal of finishing a career feeling accomplished and satisfied. The episode provides a rich and insightful discussion on veterinary medicine, research, mentorship, and personal growth, offering valuable lessons and inspiration for professionals in the swine industry. 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 Spotify, Google Music, iTunes, and on Pipestone.com.

Dr. Spencer Wayne welcomes Dr. Cara Haden, Director of Animal Welfare at PIPESTONE, and Dr. Carissa Odland, Director of Sustainability for Wholestone Farms, a producer-owned packer enterprise.  The episode provides insights into the complex dynamics of animal welfare, sustainability, and consumer preferences in the swine industry.

Dr. Spencer Wayne welcomes Dr. Adam Schelkopf, Health Director for Pipestone Management, for a discussion on the overall health status of PIPESTONE-managed farms. Historically, this time of year brings an increase in illness, especially PRRS infections. Dr. Schelkopf reports less than 10% of PIPESTONE-managed farms breaking with PRRS over the last two years, which is far better than in the past. He attributes the improvement to compounding interventions over time. Feed mitigation is the most recent strategy implemented at PIPESTONE, having been in place for 2-3 years it correlates well to the reduction in PRRS over the last two years. Over the last 15 years air filtration has been implemented in nearly 70% of farms. And lastly, location selection. The good health reported from an isolated sow farm pays dividends. In regard to the wean-to-finish side, Dr. Schelkopf stresses the importance of alternatives to antibiotics – management, environment, sanitation, and biosecurity. Though the availability of generic drugs may be greater, the introduction of new antibiotics is not expected. Dr. Schelkopf recommends this recipe for success: “Start with a high-health pig and protect it through the wean-to-market phase with biosecurity.” 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 Spotify, Google Music, iTunes, and on Pipestone.com.

Dr. Spencer Wayne welcomes Marty Rost, Environmental Specialist with PIPESTONE, to talk about the valuable commodity we have in manure. The pair discuss the importance of understanding its value and making it work for you and your neighbors. Marty talks about the differences in facilities he sees and shares insight on finding opportune times to pump a farm. Additionally, Dr. Wayne asks Marty to explain why safety is such a crucial part of manure management and outlines procedures to minimize health risks for both humans and livestock.    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.

Dr. Barry Kerkaert, Chairman of the Board, takes the reigns and puts Dr. Spencer Wayne in the hot seat to celebrate our 50th episode of the podcast.   The pair discuss the goals of SwineTime and reflect on some of Dr. Wayne's favorite episodes. He shares behind-the-scenes happenings reflecting on memorable guests and the impactful work our experts have shared on the podcast.   Dr. Wayne and Dr. Kerkaert close the celebration with their interpretation of our mission - Helping Farmers.

Dr. Spencer Wayne welcomes Hannah Walkes, President of Pipestone Services, to chat about the recent leadership transitions at PIPESTONE - including the creation of two divisions, Pipestone Services and Pipestone Partnerships. Hannah provides insight into how her upbringing and tenure at PIPESTONE have fueled her passion and made her uniquely qualified to take the reigns as President of Pipestone Services. She outlines her goals and shares what customers, shareholders, and employees can expect from the company going forward.

In this episode of SwineTime, host, Dr. Spencer Wayne, is joined by Dr. Taylor Spronk to talk about the pig promotion activities happening at PIPESTONE.  Dr. Taylor discusses the county and state fairs that PIPESTONE supports with exhibits and live sows across Minnesota, South Dakota, and Iowa.  Additionally, she describes the Discovery Barn, championed by PIPESTONE’s own Sylvia Wolters, which is an agricultural experience at the Sioux Empire Fair in Sioux Falls, SD. The pair chat about interacting with the public and sharing information about pig farming at these types of events. Dr. Taylor also addresses biosecurity concerns that arise when going to a fair and steps we can all take to mitigate the health risk to commercial herds.