Pig Talk | Matthew Rooda & Chris Grant

About the Guest

Chris Grant is the President of Innovative Heating Technologies (IHT) out of Winnipeg, MB Canada. After a 15 year career managing plastic manufacturing that moved him around the country, he was looking for a change in life and career. In 2013 he took the leap and partnered with Matt Robins by purchasing IHT. By combining their plastics and electrical backgrounds, they were able to create the most energy efficient and reliable heat pad for farrowing. Their technology has helped clients around the world drastically reduce their energy consumption on their farms. IHT is also leading the development of other heating and cooling projects for commercial and agricultural applications which include a partnership with Purdue University on “Sow Cooling” to combat heat stress.

The Manager Bought The Farm | Dustin Coleman

About the Guest

Dustin Coleman, a stalwart in the Swine Industry since 2012, now proudly owns Coleman Quality Pork. His journey began humbly as a farmhand at Fisher Hog Farms, where his relentless work ethic and resilience paved the way to his ownership in 2021. Nestled in Middletown, Missouri, Dustin and his dedicated team manage a breed-to-wean facility housing approximately 2,500 sows, focusing on raising healthy pigs that will nourish people worldwide.

Winning the Insect Biosecurity War | Tom Pastor

About the Guest

Tom Pastor, a native of western Pennsylvania, now resides on a picturesque 10.5 acre homestead in the heart of south-central Pennsylvania. This expansive property, shared with his wife Dorothy of 35 years, hosts a vibrant livestock population that includes 30 meat goats and Dorothy’s prized Cubalaya and Bielfelder chickens. Tom’s journey in the world of animal production began with a B.S. degree from Penn State University in 1986, and was later augmented by a business certificate from Belmont University in 2001. A committed professional in the swine industry, Tom has accumulated 37 years of expansive and varied experience. His journey has taken him through all phases of the industry – managing sow units for DeKalb Swine Breeders in Kansas and Farm Crest Feeds in Pennsylvania, serving as a field representative for Farm Crest Feeds, and acting as a sales and service representative for PIC for a remarkable 20 years.

Building a More Sustainable Future  | Todd Heisterkamp

About the Guest

Growing up amidst the humble cornfields of western Iowa, Todd Heisterkamp was part of a multi-generational farming legacy. His youthful eyes bore witness to the hardships his family faced during the fuel crisis of the late 1970s and the farming crisis of the early 1980s. These events deeply impacted young Todd, steering him towards an education and eventual career beyond the confines of agriculture. After a prosperous two-decade-long tenure in business development and manufacturing management, Todd felt an inexorable pull back to his agricultural roots. Heeding this call, Todd pivoted his career towards the pork industry, specifically focusing on its equipment aspect.

The Making of a Swine Savant | Dr. Hyatt Frobose

About the Guest

Dr. Hyatt Frobose serves as the USA Commercial Director and Nutritionist for JYGATechnologies, Inc., a Quebec-based company producing GESTAL brand precision feedingsystems for the swine industry. Hyatt specializes in assisting swine producers with group-housing solutions and nutritional programs to optimize performance and welfare of sows andgrowing pigs in commercial environments. Since completing his Ph.D. in swine nutrition andmanagement at Kansas State University in 2015, Dr. Frobose has been a featured speaker andspecialist working with producers around the world in adopting new technologies and adaptingto increased animal welfare standards. In his role with JYGA, Hyatt has assisted with the designor renovation of over 250 sow farms representing over 400,000 sows. Dr. Frobose and his familyare based in Greeley, KS and are actively involved in their church, local 4-H programs andseedstock Gelbvieh cow/calf operation.

The Artistry of Meat | Chef Matt Pickard

About the Guest

Matt Pickard is a North Carolina local and is a true southern creative. Not only an artist with food, he is musically and artistically talented as well. Matt has been working in kitchens in Tennessee and North Carolina for 20 years, and the camaraderie and culture ignited his passion for food at 16 years old. He became an executive chef at only 20 years old, and thrived in Nashville, TN while turning his energy as an artist and musician to food as a creative release. With his love and passion for helping those around him develop their skills and teach them new tricks in the kitchen he has inspired many to follow their dreams with his own talents. He has been working back in Charlotte for the last 9 years, and was a co-creator of the menu & concept of a pair of Charlotte restaurants.

Feed Biosecurity Measures to Mitigate Possible Viral Exposure | Dr. Matt Ackerman

About the Guest

Dr. Matt Ackerman grew up on a small grain and livestock farm around Peoria, IL. He attended the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign and graduated with a BS in Agricultural Sciences in 1992 and a DVM in 1995. Since graduating, he has worked in private swine consulting practice. In July 2016, he opened his own practice named Pork Veterinary Solutions. Pork Veterinary Solutions is currently a two-veterinarian practice that oversees the annual production of approximately 1.5 million pigs (about 1% of US production). The emphasis of the practice is on establishing preventative herd health programs and interpreting production and economic records for commercial swine farms. Dr. Ackerman and his wife Missy have 3 children.

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

• What Dr. Ackerman is seeing regarding advancements in herd health and personal views on the trends in the industry.
• Cutting corners vs. cutting costs and how that affects piglet viability and sow health.
• How producers are addressing cost vs. efficacy issues.
• How is the pork production industry and industry leaders are addressing PRRS and PEDV.
• The steps along the feed supply chain to control viral risk and exposure.
• Dr. Ackerman’s experience and thoughts after touring a spray dried plasma facility.
• Dr. Ackerman’s “golden nugget”

Stress Management & Food Bullying | Michele Payn

About the Guest

Michele Payn, CSP, connects the people and science of food and farming as principal of Cause Matters Corp. She is known for being a community catalyst, a passionate advocate for global agriculture – and touching hearts to move minds. Michele has worked with farmers in more than 25 countries, raised millions of dollars for 4-H & FFA, and founded AgChat and FoodChat on Twitter. She is the author of three books: Food Bullying, an IPPY gold medal winner; Food Truths from Farm to Table, an IPPY bronze medal winner; and No More Food Fights!. 

Advances In Grow-Finish Mortality | Dr. Mike Tokach

About the Guest

Dr. Mike Tokach is a University Distinguished Professor of Animal Sciences and Industry atKansas State University. Tokach joined K-State in 1991 and, as a swine nutrition researcher and extension specialist, is an author on more than 420 articles in scientific journals, 11book chapters and more than 1,100 extension and non-refereed articles. Tokach has received more than $22 million in research grants and gifts. He also has been awarded seven patents for his research and has given more than 350 invited lectures at national and international conferences. Tokach has also advised and mentored over 110 advanced-degree students and visiting professors since joining the university. Mike’s wife Lisa also specializes in Swine as a veterinarian. Together, they have three children, Sage, Rogan, and Fiona.