Popular Pig Podcast Episodes

Different Path for Beef and Pork Processing | Kit Laramore & Joe Galasso

About the Guests

Joseph Galasso Jr. is a seasoned C-suite executive with over 40 years in food protein sales, operations, business development, and biosecurity technologies tailored for livestock and swine operations. As Chief Operating Officer at WT Associates and WT BIO-TECH, he leads commercialization of mortality management systems—including EPA-compliant incinerators, anaerobic digestion like KLEENPAS BioGestor, and aqueous ozone/nanobubble solutions—for large-scale beef and pork processing facilities in Iowa. His expertise spans pioneering green chemistry biosecurity for clients like Walt Disney and Wynn Resorts, full P&L management of 12M+ lb protein lines, and regulatory navigation (USDA FSIS, EPA, DNR), making him a key contributor to the protein industry.
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What Drives Mortality in Grow-Finish Pigs | Dr. Daniel Linhares and Dr. Edison Magalhaes

About the Guests

Daniel Linhares, DVM, MBA, PhD –  Professor & Director of Graduate Education at the Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine. Worked for 8 years as a practicing veterinarian, technical services, and health assurance; now he is dedicated to training MSc and PhD students as part of the ISU fieldepi team, working with swine producers and health professionals in the US and abroad.
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Building Teams, Solving PRRS, and Leading Through Change | Dr. Bill Christianson

About the Guest

Dr. Bill Christianson is the former Chief Operating Officer of PIC. He has a background in agriculture and biotechnology, with broad industry knowledge and extensive commercial and global experience. He earned his DVM and PhD in Veterinary Medicine from the University of Minnesota.
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Innovation, Sustainability, and Resilience in Australian Pork | Edwina Beveridge

About the Guest

Edwina and her husband run Blantyre Farms, a 2,200 sow pig farm and a mixed farm of sheep, cattle and crops, near Young, NSW, Australia.

In operation for more than a decade, a methane digestion system captures methane gas from pig manure and converts it into electricity. Blantyre also utilizes food waste products for pig feed and saves 13,500 of tonnes of landfill each year. The NSW EPA has awarded Blantyre with a Green Globe Award for Resource Efficiency.

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An Australian Approach to Balancing Welfare and Economics in Pork Production | Steve Coleman

About the Guest

What began as a spontaneous job application became a lifelong commitment to protecting animals across New South Wales and supporting some of the state’s most underserved and marginalized communities.

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Eliminating PRRS and Protecting the U.S. Herd | Dr. Dustin Oedekoven

About the Guest

Dr. Dustin Oedekoven is the chief veterinarian for the National Pork Board, based in Des Moines, Iowa. In this role, Dr. Oedekoven leads a team of veterinarians and swine production experts in Pork Checkoff-funded work for pork producers, including foreign animal disease (FAD) preparedness, protecting the U.S. herd from African swine fever and developing a national swine health strategy.

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How to Reduce Wean to Finish Mortality Without Guessing | Nat Stas

About the Guest

Nat Stas is a Technical Services Director for PIC and has been in the commercial swine industry for 15 years, 8 of which have been with PIC. He holds a master’s degree from University of Illinois under Dr. Mike Ellis focusing on swine genetics and reproduction.

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Pork Demand Must Be a Priority | Al Wulfekuhle

About the Guest

Al Wulfekuhle lives on Lake Delhi in east central Iowa, he is the owner of G&W Pork, a farrow-finish operation that markets around 50,000 pigs per year to Tyson Foods. Al also farms 640 acres of corn and soybeans. Al has business experience in managing farrow to finish pig farms and providing pork industry consulting and is a past President of the Iowa Pork Producers Association and is now serving as Past President of the National Pork Board.
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The Real Cost of Mortality and Why It Matters | Dr Derald Holtkamp

About the Guest

Dr. Derald Holtkamp is a Professor in the Department of Veterinary Diagnostics and Production Animal Medicine (VDPAM) in the College of Veterinary Medicine at Iowa State University (Ames, Iowa, U.S.). He received his DVM, MS in Agricultural Economics, and B.S. in Agricultural Business with a minor in statistics, all from Iowa State University.
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Building Farmer Grade on Trust, Not Claims | Sawyer and Tork Whisler

About the Guests

Sawyer Whisler is an Iowa hog farmer and the co-founder of Farmer Grade. He built an audience by sharing real day-to-day farm life through the @thislldofarm channel and later launched the Barn Talk podcast. His father, Tork Whisler, is part of the father-son dynamic behind the show and the long-term focus on trust and credibility.

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