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Balancing Family, Farming, and Technology | Drew and Kali Ott

About the Guests

Drew Ott, a former Iowa Hawkeye football player, balances life on his Nebraska family farm with his wife, Kali, who he met at the University of Iowa where she played basketball. Married since 2017, Drew and Kali integrate modern agricultural techniques and traditional farming practices, navigating the challenges of family farming while fostering a deep connection to their rural roots and each other.

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Breaking Barriers in Agriculture | Barb Determan

About the Guest

Barb grew up on a diversified farm in west central Illinois where she was active in 4-H and then attended the University of Illinois where she majored in Ag Communications. Her career includes farming, livestock publication experience, animal health sales, and small business ownership.

After college Barb worked in Omaha and Kansas City before moving to Cedar Rapids, Iowa to begin her animal health sales career. While working with dairy farmers and pork producers throughout Iowa, Barb met her future husband at a pork industry trade show. They were married in September 1981 and Barb dove head-first into being a farm wife. (more…)

Passion for Pigs and Community | Erin Brenneman

About the Guest

Erin Brenneman is a passionate advocate for agriculture and a dedicated farmer. Raised in the suburbs of Chicago, Erin’s journey to the farming world began with her love for animals, sparked by horseback riding lessons during her high school years. She pursued her passion at Iowa State University, where she earned a degree in Animal Science and met her husband, Tim Brenneman

Erin’s introduction to farming came through weekends spent at Tim’s family farm in Iowa, where she fell in love with the farm life and community. Over the years, Erin has become deeply involved in the operations of Brenneman Pork, focusing on farrowing and day-one piglet care. Her hands-on experience and commitment to animal welfare have been pivotal in streamlining processes and enhancing farm efficiency. (more…)

World Pork Expo Changes and Industry Innovations | Alex Adams, Marcel Schubert, Chris Grant

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

• New World Pork Expo Format: How the two-day format affected attendance and engagement.
• Adoption of Innovations: The challenges of introducing new technologies in the swine industry.
• Labor and Automation: How labor shortages are pushing farms to adopt automation.
• Consumer Education: The need to educate the public about modern farming practices.
• Future Industry Trends: Predictions on the role of artificial intelligence and automation in modern farming

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Mastering Biosecurity in Swine Production | Stuart Heller

About the Guest

Neogen is committed to fueling a brighter future for global food security through the advancement of human and animal well-being. Harnessing the power of science and technology, Neogen Corporation has developed comprehensive solutions spanning the Food Safety, Livestock and Pet Health & Wellness markets. A world leader in these fields, Neogen has a presence in over 140 countries with a dedicated network of scientists and technical experts focused on delivering optimized products and technology for its customers.

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Bridging Hutterite Traditions and Pork Industry Innovation | Anne Miller

About the Guest

Anne Miller from Montana earned the Paulson-Whitmore Award for State Executives. Miller’s loyalty to Montana agriculture led her down the path as a dual state executive for the Montana Pork Association and Wyoming Pork Producers Council. Her notable accomplishments included volunteering on the committee that developed the We Care® Ethical Principles; serving on the committee to hire two National Pork Board CEOs; and advocating for pork quality with meat processors in the state.

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