Subscribe to Popular Pig®

Building a Biosecurity Blueprint: Advancing Science-Based Policies | Dr. Scott Dee

About the Guest

Scott Dee earned a DVM, MS, and PhD from the University of Minnesota, is board-certified in veterinary microbiology, past President of the American Association of Swine Veterinarians, past Chair of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Council on Biologic and Therapeutic Agents and currently serves on the AVMA House of Delegates. After 12 years in swine practice and another 12 years in academia, Scott joined Pipestone Veterinary Services as Director of Applied Research, where he served as Director of Discovery and Innovation for Pipestone for 12.5 years.

(more…)

Digitizing Biosecurity to Prevent Disease Outbreaks | Rob Hannam

About the Guest

As the CEO of Farm Health Guardian, Rob Hannam is committed to helping farms and food companies improve animal health and protect against the devastating impact of animal disease through digital biosecurity.

Launched in 2020 for the swine and poultry sectors, Farm Health Guardian technology is reducing the risk of disease spread and improving biosecurity compliance which saves time, reduces the cost of production and improves farm sustainability.

Rob’s passion for agriculture was cultivated while growing up on his family’s grain farm in Guelph, Ontario. He has worked in agriculture for over 30 years and has proven experience in building innovative businesses.

What can you expect to learn from this episode of Popular Pig?

• How digitizing biosecurity helps reduce the spread of costly diseases like PRRS and PED.
• Why truck washes and dedicated equipment breaches are the most common biosecurity failures—and how to fix them.
• How real-time breach alerts can improve compliance and change behaviors on farms.
• Why producers often overestimate their biosecurity compliance and how tracking data exposes hidden risks.
• Rob’s “golden nugget”

Evaluating a New Antibiotic: Insights from Field Trials | Dr. Kyle Nisley

About the Guest

Kyle Nisley graduated from Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2023 and has been a staff veterinarian with Christensen Farms since the fall of 2023. He was introduced to the swine industry with a production internship at CF in 2017 and was hooked ever since. He expanded his experience in the SVIP program at both Christensen Farms and Swine Vet Center and knew that he wanted to work with pigs long term. Now, he spends his time practicing medicine and researching new and upcoming innovations in the swine world.

What can you expect to learn from this episode of Popular Pig?

• Why having a new antibiotic in the toolbox is a game-changer for managing disease resistance.
• How real-world trials measure effectiveness, safety, and ease of use in the field.
• Why both objective data and grower feedback are key to evaluating new treatments.
• The challenges of strep and respiratory infections in nursery pigs and what’s showing promise.
• Kyle’s “golden nugget”

Building Trust Through Authentic Branding in Agriculture | Dave Morton

About the Guest

Dave received his BA from The University of Northern Iowa in 1982. In 1984, Dave, with business partner Jeff Westrom, formed JWMorton, a Cedar Rapids, Iowa-based advertising agency. They produce marketing communications programs ranging from branding to digital to broadcast and for clients representing over 30 industries from high tech to healthcare. JWMorton’s work is seen in local, national and international markets. They are the only Iowa-based independent agency to create and produce a spot airing on the national Super Bowl broadcast. JWMorton’s agriculture roster has included brands such as Diamond V Mills, Vi-Cor, Art’s-Way, Chore-Time, PigTek and Brock Grain Systems. (more…)

Strategic Water Management and AgTech Innovation | Patrick Henry

About the Guest

As the CEO of GroGuru, I drive the overall strategy and operational execution for an exciting AgTech company that is changing the way that we grow crops by using an innovative IoT system for precision irrigation, soil monitoring and management. Former contributor at FastCompany, Tech.Co, Entrepreneur, The Huffington Post, and other publications. Previously featured on CNBC, Bloomberg Television, and in Forbes. (more…)

Empowering Farms with Technology and Compliance | Melissa Bradford & Azael Romero

About the Guest(s)

Melissa Bradford – Operations Coordinator 

Melissa Bradford graduated from Purdue University earning a bachelor’s degree in animal Agribusiness.  For the past 15 years Melissa has worked for Martin Family Farms in Williamsport Indiana and is currently the Operations Coordinator. Prior to working at Maritn Family Farms, Melissa also worked for United Animal Health and M2P2 (Ames, IA). Melissa has served on Indiana Pork’s Youth Committee for the past 7 years.

(more…)