Year: 2024
Episode #61: What is SHIC?
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…
Understanding Ileitis in Pigs: Impact, Detection, and Management
Ileitis is a significant concern in pig production, presenting both health challenges for the animals and economic ramifications for producers. This disease, caused by the bacteria Lawsonia intracellularis, affects pigs worldwide and is particularly prevalent during warm weather months when feed intake can fluctuate. Let’s break down what you need to know about ileitis: How…
Taking Advantage of Risk Management
I like to give my dad a hard time that all he had to do was farm the ground and feed the livestock to make a sustainable profit. I say this jokingly, but he recognizes that there is some truth in that statement. He sees the farm faced with more and more business decisions every…
Team Members Exemplify Growth
At PIPESTONE, we live and breathe our core values: Integrity, Caring, Commitment, Growth, and Teamwork. This year, we’re taking a closer look at each value, exploring what they mean to us and how they shape our organization. Our values are the foundation of who we are and how we work together. Join us as we…
Episode #59: Warm Weather Ventilation Checklist
In this episode, Dr. Spencer Wayne sits down with Erin McCoy to discuss proper barn ventilation as the weather begins to warm up. Erin, a veterinary physician assistant at Pipestone Veterinary Services, shares her warm-weather ventilation checklist and emphasizes the importance of opening soffit doors and ensuring proper ventilation by uncovering fans. She provides…
Team Members Exemplify Commitment
At PIPESTONE, we live and breathe our core values: Integrity, Caring, Commitment, Growth, and Teamwork. This year, we’re taking a closer look at each value, exploring what they mean to us and how they shape our organization. Our values are the foundation of who we are and how we work together. Join us as we…
Three Cheers for Hernan
Meet Hernan Altunar Altunar, Farm Manager at Liberty Livestock, who recently obtained his Permanent Resident Visa from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Achieving this milestone wasn’t easy—Hernan persevered for five years. With the unwavering support of colleagues like Nicole Paulsen, Alexandra Larios, and Joe Hadley, his dream is now a reality. As Hernan continues…
Is your Ventilation Ready for Spring?
As someone who thrives on outdoor adventures, I eagerly anticipate the warmer weather and the lively buzz that spring brings. But it’s also the time when our barn ventilation systems kick into high gear. With temperatures climbing during the day and dipping at night, it’s crucial that our ventilation systems keep pace with the changing…
Team Members Exemplify Caring
At PIPESTONE, we live and breathe our core values: Integrity, Caring, Commitment, Growth, and Teamwork. This year, we’re taking a closer look at each value, exploring what they mean to us and how they shape our organization. Our values are the foundation of who we are and how we work together. Join us as we…
Ep: #58: Using Research and Production Data to Drive Genetics
Join Dr. Spencer Wayne on the latest episode of SwineTime, where he dives deep into swine genetics with experts Erin Little, Director of Research Operations for Pipestone Research, and Carrie Pollard, FarmStats Senior Analyst with Pipestone Business. Erin and Carrie discuss how PIPESTONE is unlocking valuable insights into swine genetics for producers using both…
Navigating the Next Generation: A Roadmap for Swine Industry Transformation
At the recent American Association of Swine Veterinarians conference, attendees were treated to an enlightening presentation by Dr. Joel Nerem, Veterinarian at Pipestone Veterinary Services. Dr. Nerem, delivering the prestigious Howard Dunne Lecture, provided invaluable insights into the future of swine veterinary medicine under the theme, “Next Generation Swine Veterinarians: Who are we and where…
Riding the Wave of Feed Cost Fluctuations
Feed costs make up 60% to 70% of production expenses, making it crucial for producers to monitor market trends as they work to enhance the profitability and sustainability of their pig farms. Recent trends indicate a notable decline in feed prices, particularly in essential ingredients like corn and soybean meal. This decline presents an opportunity…
Unleashing Genetic Potential through Careful Management
In the realm of pig farming, maximizing genetic potential is a constant pursuit. Despite common perceptions that pigs are the “easy part” compared to human challenges, the reality is that ensuring optimal conditions for pigs involves overcoming various hurdles. Among the challenges present at your farm, which has the greatest potential to impede performance? …
Employees Exemplify Integrity
At PIPESTONE, we live and breathe our core values: Integrity, Caring, Commitment, Growth, and Teamwork. This year, we’re taking a closer look at each value, exploring what they mean to us and how they shape our organization. Our values are the foundation of who we are and how we work together. Join us as we…
Ingris Rivas: A South Dakota Master Pork Producer
Ingris Rivas was recently named a 2023 Master Pork Producer at the 55th Annual South Dakota Pork Congress in January. Ingris’s journey began in August 2017, marking the start of her career in swine production at PIPESTONE. South Dakota Master Pork Producers are recognized for their outstanding contributions to the state’s swine industry. Starting as…
Seth Holmstrom: A South Dakota Master Pork Producer
A standout star at PIPESTONE is Seth Holmstrom, who serves as the Manager for Elm Valley Farms. Starting as a Pipestone Emerging Leader in November 2018, Seth honed his skills at Big Sioux before landing the role of Site Manager at Elm Valley in March 2019. Since then, he’s been leading with passion, dedication, and…
Ep. #57: Pig Pathogens: Understanding Current Diseases
Join Dr. Spencer Wayne and Dr. Cameron Schmitt in discussing 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…
Ep. #56: Impacting Producers through Diagnostics
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…
Ep. #55: Riding the Wave of Feed Cost Fluctuations
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…
2024 Health Outlook – USA Swine Industry
It’s that time of year again. . . time for 2024 predictions. For the U.S. swine industry (and most of the world), 2023 has been a year most pig farmers would like to forget – not because disease issues were worse than normal, but because market prices have not been favorable. The short-term outlook is…
Dedication, Growth, & Commitment: Mark Uilk Receives Prestigious David Neuberger II Core Values Award
Integrity, Caring, Commitment, Growth, and Teamwork – these are the core values of PIPESTONE. They serve as a road map for all employees in pursuing the company mission of Helping Farmers Today Create the Farms of Tomorrow. The David Neuberger II Core Values Award is an honor bestowed upon individuals who exemplify the Core Values…